Frame Rust

[Z71GUY]

My truck is a 99 Silverado and just turned over 61k - yes, I don't drive it very much. When I do drive it, its for a reason - hauling, pulling, bad roads...etc. Long story short, this has been a great truck and I have no reason to ever replace it. With that said, I've noticed that my underside (mostly the frame) is rusting. Right now it appears to be just a heavy surface rust (nothing structural).

 

My question is... what can I do to reduce or eliminate this rust? Like I said, I plan on keeping this truck for a very long time and if its not treated, I could see it becoming a serious issue down the road. Growing up my father used ot take our vehicles to places for "undercoating", but it always was a nightmare to work on the vehicle because everything was covered by a thick tar substance. I would like to try and avoid treatments such as this.

 

I've looked into POR 15 and right now it appears to be my best route.

 

What are my options (DYI and taking it somewhere)?

 

Thanks!

[Cranky1]

I am not sure what types of rust proofing you have in PA, here in Ontario you can get a Ziebart rust proofing that is a tar or you can get an oil sprayed under coating. We have it on our 1993 Jimmy and took it to them every fall for seasonal inspections for the 1st 5 years. In the last 3 years the tar has shrunk and cracked and it now hold moisture. I have replace the front fenders because they rusted out, I had the bottoms of the doors repaired and now I have to replace the rad cradle because the bottom has rusted out. I would not recommend tar under coating if you plan to keep it for years.

 

Our 2001 Silverado has 60K miles and has never been driven in the winter and it is stored out side. The frame has always had a little rust since it was about 1 year old. I am like you, I don't like working on cars covered in crap, last fall I had it oiled for the 1st time by Krown rust proofing and parked it.

 

2 weeks ago I brought into my shop and we installed front springs, what a mess to work on! As the truck warmed up, the oil under coating started to run and drip. It was a pain in the a$$, but it was nice to see that the oil was creeping and running into all the little nooks and crannies. The frame and rear diff do not look rusty any more, it is like the oil pickled the metal and saturated the rust.

 

I think it is a win or loose, park it and watch it rust, drive it and wear it out...