Substantial Frame Rust 2014 Sierra

[300 Blackout]

2014 Sierra 1500 SLE

>60,000 miles

 

My goal is to identify a solution and better understand what I'm dealing with. I'm not really interested in a bash the manufacturer thread, just looking for info to preserve my investment.

 

At what point is this no longer just a cosmetic issue?

 

For this quantity of rust, is POR-15 Rust Preventative Coating an appropriate fix coupled with annual Fluid Film application? I know the wax would be dissolved by the Fluid Film. Seeing that the wax isn't exactly excelling in its anti-corrosive role, I'm not sure dissolving it is such a bad thing. It would be replaced by the POR-15 and annual FF applications.

 

While I'm sure stripping the truck down to the frame and sandblasting each component is the ideal prep, this is my daily driver and I have no such resources to do such an extensive teardown.

 

How do you prep the inside of the frame? Is a wire brush sufficient to prep the exterior of the frame for this type/quantity of rust?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Z2Z]

Wow! I'm really sad to see this. GM should be doing something for you to make this right.

 

Things like this make me really glad that I moved to the southwest.

 

Good luck with your solution. I'm interested to see what others have to say.

[RyanbabZ71]

my 2010 looks better than that.

 

Where are you from?

[15 Z71]

Yeah that looks pretty bad.

[300 Blackout]

The original owner alternated between Michigan and Canada according to the AutoCheck. I purchased the vehicle from a non-GM dealer and it was delivered two days ago. The vehicle appeared to be, and for the most part is, in very good condition. I took it to get Bilsteins put on to level it out and was taken back by the corrosion. I reached out to the seller for a solution and am waiting to hear back.

 

I really like these trucks. This is my third one from this body style/generation so I finally decided to purchase it rather than lease. Hopefully there is a reasonable solution available to stop any further damage.

 

 

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[BigBadSierra]

Living in this area, I know you have to wash the underside of your vehicle.

 

Salt will sit there all summer and eat the metal.

[sdeeter19555]

My 2012 is a part time snow belt enthusiast, I oil undercoat. It's messy when done, but with 5 years on the click and 120k miles, my frame and body are 99% rust free (to say any coating will be 100% is a lie).

 

I did have it sprayed with Fluid Film right after I bought it, thinking that would be the answer to routine oil undercoating, and that peeled some of the wax coating off. A dry frame that looks like this pictures might be a great candidate for the hravy-bodied Fluid Film.

 

The good thing about oil is that the rust doesn't need to be removed...soak it with oil, let the dust build up on it and it's sealed.

 

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[300 Blackout]

BigBad, I completely agree. I've lived in the "rust belt" my whole life and the underside must be washed to clear out the salt.

 

sdeeter, thanks for the feedback. I plan on a maintenance routine similar to what you described. I would like to paint it to restore the appearance of the frame. I'm sure the heavy fluid film would be great and stay trapped in the rough surface of the rust, however, I would still have a rust colored frame which I find unappealing. I also think for future resale it would decrease the value despite being only a cosmetic issue. That's why I'm thinking POR-15 and topcoat then treat with Fluid Film annually.

[sdeeter19555]

If you spray it with oil or Fluid Film, then paint it with rustoleum...POR is overkill and a waste in that scenario.

 

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[300 Blackout]

Can you post a link to the heavy fluid film you were referring to in your previous post? I would prefer to spray it on if that's an option. What equipment would you use?

 

As far as the Rustoleum goes, can you explain how this won't trap moisture and/or prevent the oil from reaching the places it needs to. Is the Rustoleum permeable?

 

My thought behind treatment with POR is it will consume the moisture underneath the treatment. Since I can't do a perfect prep, any spots I miss with the POR will be exposed to the Fluid Film.

 

 

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[sdeeter19555]

Can you post a link to the heavy fluid film you were referring to in your previous post? I would prefer to spray it on if that's an option. What equipment would you use?

 

As far as the Rustoleum goes, can you explain how this won't trap moisture and/or prevent the oil from reaching the places it needs to. Is the Rustoleum permeable?

 

My thought behind treatment with POR is it will consume the moisture underneath the treatment. Since I can't do a perfect prep, any spots I miss with the POR will be exposed to the Fluid Film.

 

 

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POR is short for paint over rust...it can and will trap rust like any other paint (it's just a two-stage epoxy paint). Even Rustoleum makes a two stage epoxy paint...I know, I sprayed it before. I've grown up around guys using POR, in my opinion it's not worth the cost...it's a name. Not to mention there are multiple steps to "prep" for POR, and it's nasty to work with...that's my opinion, using it and similar products.

 

You will need to find a Fluid Film dealer to spray the heavy-bodied stuff...it takes a special gun and a lot of air.

 

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[Heavy 5.7]

I purchased the vehicle from a non-GM dealer and it was delivered two days ago.

 

I guess chalk it up to a lesson learned not to buy a vehicle sight unseen again.

 

The vehicle appeared to be, and for the most part is, in very good condition.

I'll have to strongly disagree with this statement, all that rust didn't just happen overnight. This appears to be a salvage vehicle from a salt water flood. If that is the case you can fully expect at the very least one electrical nightmare after the other.

 

Your best option at this point is to make every attempt to have your money returned immediately.

[Silverado4x4]

I agree with Heavy 5.7 something has happened to that truck in its lifetime, everything else looks fairly new but the frame even the wires look new along with the electrical tape around the plastic wire cover shield and the bar code stickers on the gas tank shield look new as they don't last long and fall off . I think that truck was totaled and re-framed at one time. I would be going after the seller on this one.