Frame rusting

rmart · September 22, 2017

First of all, how do you search the forums? I can't see an option to do so.

Now, on to my topic of concern.

My truck (2014 GMC Sierra SLT) was built in February of 2014, purchased by an owner who had it for a couple months and decided he wanted a diesel truck instead. Basically he took his truck and reordered the same truck but a 3/4 ton with diesel and traded this one in. I purchased it in July of 2014 with only 5,000 miles on it. Got a pretty good deal too. I love everything about this truck but the payment...

And the frame now...

When I checked out the truck before purchasing I even got underneath and checked out the undercarriage. Still looked clean and new. When I was signing the papers they offered me an appearance warranty which would cover paint issues, damage to the interior, rust, etc. They offered me a good deal on that so I bit on that as well. Part of that package included an undercoating and protective spray coating of the frame and suspension components. Said it would significantly delay the onset of your typical surface rust on the frame.

Check out these pics:

(this should be the maximum amount of rust visible after only three years and that on an untreated frame...

Am I wrong to expect less rust, especially after a protectant has been sprayed over the metal? How good can 'high-strength steel' be if it rusts this much after only three years?

This vehicle has never been submerged in water much less salt water, and during my ownership hasn't even been driven that much on salty streets in the winter.

I working with the company that warranties the treatment and with the dealer but I'm fearful that their 'fix' will be just just scrape off the loose protectant and rust scale and just reapply the coating over the leftover rust.

Anyone else having this issue or is it just my truck?

PghJeff2 · September 22, 2017

They all rust here and there. Mine did. Yours has more than mine, but it's just surface rust. It's not affecting the integrity of the structure. Even if you did nothing about it, it would take a very long time to compromise structure. That being said, what I did was go over the rust with a wire brush and got all the loose flakes off. I then painted it with Permatex rust converter. Once that dried for about 24 hours, I applied Daubert Nox Rust, which is the factory wax coating. It looks brand new.

One question in your situation is what product did they spray on your frame. Some of the products degrade the factory wax protective coating and actually leave your frame exposed.

Northman · September 22, 2017

I appears you paid for something they didn't do. There should be some trace of the protectant somewhere. I'm not seeing it.

NWI Denali · September 22, 2017

One question in your situation is what product did they spray on your frame. Some of the products degrade the factory wax protective coating and actually leave your frame exposed.

This was my first thought as well.. wondering if whatever undercoating they applied completely counteracted the factory wax coating?

Heavy 5.7 · September 22, 2017

Even if you did nothing about it, it would take a very long time to compromise structure.

People are still driving trucks built in the 1990s (me) more holes than swiss cheese and the frame hasn't cracked otherwise broken yet.

Nanotech Environmental · September 22, 2017

I appears you paid for something they didn't do. There should be some trace of the protectant somewhere. I'm not seeing it.

What he said ^^^

Not sure about the US, but in parts of Canada they use a thick tar like substance to undercoat with when you buy that option at the dealer. None of that is present in your pics. It looks like it's just the original frame wax.

Edited September 22, 2017 by 3beejay3

jimbofoxman · September 22, 2017

That's just down right sad! Not sure the build date on mine, gotta look. But I noticed a few on like weld areas of the frame, and it's a 2015.

JCunningham · September 23, 2017

My 2012 Silverado I just traded in didnt have anywhere near that much rust and I live in NY.

Donstar · September 23, 2017

I {am} working with the company that warranties the treatment and with the dealer but I'm fearful that their 'fix' will be just just scrape off the loose protectant and rust scale and just reapply the coating over the leftover rust.

Anyone else having this issue or is it just my truck?

It sounds like you are on top of the situation and need to see the preparation done prior to them reapplying any coating. Keep pictures like you have here of the process. I have owned many trucks and lived in areas with pretty harsh winters and have not seen this type of rust pattern on the oldest of my trucks. If I was in your position, I would take these pictures and a copy of the "appearance warranty" for preliminary legal advice. Your truck is safe and you will probably not own it long enough for rust to be a problem. However, as it is, your chances of a good price at sale time are pretty slim!

cbrsilv15 · September 23, 2017

I know gm uses that crappy wax coating, but at least give us an option when ordering a new truck to have the frame powder coated for an extra grand or something. I'd pay it.

Geoffwhite18 · September 23, 2017

It looks like they actually stripped the wax coating off the frame that came from the factory. I don't know if all trucks came with it, but it doesn't look like they did anything.

2017SierraSLT · September 23, 2017

Some 2013 and 2014 frames were noted for the wax coating peeling right off, leaving the bare steel surface very vulnerable.

Nanotech Environmental · September 24, 2017

I know gm uses that crappy wax coating, but at least give us an option when ordering a new truck to have the frame powder coated for an extra grand or something. I'd pay it.

Personally, I'd prefer it to be galvanized or something. I'd at least like the option here in the rust belt and would pay a reasonable amount for it.

Edited September 24, 2017 by 3beejay3

davevinc1080 · September 24, 2017

Looks untreated and normal for that, just my opinion. I get mine sprayed inside the body and the underside from krown rustproofing. No sure what is available in the states but it takes care of it up here.

MZ71 · September 27, 2017

My 2014 is at the dealer getting this repaired right now. There is a repair bulletin on this although I had to call 8 different dealers to get one to actually make the repair. TSB# 14002A or #pI0564H should be the correct bulletin to reference