ThunderStruck007

I have a '15 Supercrew... obviously alum. body.
I live in PA and with the winters here, they load up the roads with salt and all that crap which gets everywhere!


I have a few cans of fluid film( http://www.fluid-film.com/ ) left over from when I used to have a '04 Ranger...


Anyway, even though my truck body is aluminum and more rust-resistant... should I still use some of this stuff on the underside of my truck?


What should and shouldn't I spray? I know getting it on the exhaust isn't a good idea as the stuff smells and the heat makes it 10x worst (ask me how I know)


What about the leaf springs? frame? etc...? I sprayed the inside seems of my old Ranger's door through the weep holes, but is this a waste of time since my f150 is aluminum?


I'll be interested to see what happens to these alum trucks in a few years... I would seriously not think they will have door, rocker, and cab corner rust issues as with the steel body trucks.


Thanks guys.

jeffinthebag

Just the body panels are aluminum. The whole underside is still steel and steel parts. I would spray the whole undercarriage. Aluminum might not rust as we know steel does. But aluminum does have its own pros and cons too. Just spray everything underneath.

Summers22

iTrader: (2)

Here is the problem with aluminum, which Ford has been using on hoods and hatches for over 10 years now. Aluminum body panels are nothing new as many of you think......

06 Explorer hood:




Expedition hatch:




2011 Mustang:




Fluid film will protect against rust on steel, but for the aluminum problems, Ford still hasnt figured it out. I feel bad for you 2015 and newer guys in a couple years.....

77Ranger460

That is filiform corrosion. I expect it to be a problem on the 2015 F150's in the future.

Summers22

iTrader: (2)

As do I. Ford has had this problem since day one and it persists.

svt2205

I'm waiting for someone to post that the new trucks are "military grade" aluminum, that will stop the problem. It's tougher.....


The pic of the Expedition hatch was what my former wife's Expy looked like. Issues are exceptionally bad where plastic parts are improperly mounted.


But if spraying makes you feel better, then spray away.

ThunderStruck007

Interesting...
I know aluminum can oxidize and still "rust" ... I am not 100% sure what filiform corrosion is, or what causes it, I guess that is my homework for today.


Are you saying Fluid film will NOT protect the aluminum panels? IE - Fenders, rockers, etc??


So long story short... I should still probably use fluid film on my truck...
What should I NOT spray with the stuff? I will NOT be spraying my exhaust... what about suspension, leaf springs? ... I will do my frame rails and try to get in the frame "openings"

ThunderStruck007

Can you explain in more depth? I am pretty ignorant about aluminum 'rust'...


What causes it?
How do I prevent my truck from looking like this in 5 years?


... I am nervous now...

77Ranger460

It happens under coated metal, especially aluminum, when the coating gets compromised....Airstream campers are famous for it.

ThunderStruck007

If it happens under coated metal, there is NO WAY to prevent or stop it?

Here is an interesting articles, obviously some with a very biased opinion...

http://www.equipmentworld.com/anothe...-it-wont-rust/

And

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars...-150-16682803/


And this one about bolts and hardware


http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/alu..._story_related

Apparently ford did a "bunch of testing" and supposed did salt spray tests, etc, etc... I really like my truck, but I want to keep it for 10 years probably... while there will inevitably be issues with a first gen model, I want to PREVENT any type of these "aluminum issues"