it can if it's not clean or prep correctly (still has rust or not cleaned correctly) or the paint chips from road debris like rocks when driving. It's going to be hard to prevent something like this.

You could get your truck frame and undercarriage Line-X and that stuff will near stop anything.

 

haha I aint made of money man! No but seriously, thanks for your input. The Rustoleum isn't perfect but sounds like its better than nothing at all! Thanks!

 

No need to wire brush anything, but yes its better to rust proof when its been dry for a few days.
Most common product used around here is https://www.krown.com/

 

Would totally try them, but it will be quite a hassle to find in the states.

 

Thanks to everyone who posted! That dealership made me feel like I bought a piece of crap. With all the trouble I have had with ford dealerships in the past I don't know why I still go there. Hopefully I will find a nice smaller shop for future services.

 

until you see the road between your feet while driving, rust isn't too bad

yeah, dont bother going back to these morons... I can see them trying to sell you a "vehicle health report check" for $200 with every oil change, but telling you to scrap the truck because of a little surface rust is pretty insane...

 

especially in this day and age where the customer can just come to a forum online and have that stupid advice be dispelled instantly, thus ruining the credibility of the techs / dealer... when will people learn to just give honest service

 

I had a bunch of surface rust under my truck when I bought it used....with it being lifted it showed even more and bugged me.


I took it to the local Ziebart and they did a rust inhibitor/eliminator and sprayed the underside with rustproofing.....looks brand new now....worth every penny of the $300-400 I paid.

 

You didn't really give specifics about the rust. Did the dealer mention specific areas that were not safe due to rust? Here in New England, rust is a way of life. ;-) I had to retire a 97 F150 (after 14 years) due to rust underneath. Body and bed were fine, Motor and Drive train were exceptional. Underneath however, was a different story. I would want the dealer to tell specifically, what is dangerous about my truck. If he can't do that, tell him to stick it where the sun don't shine!

 

Excellent thread.

To the OP, I wonder it the dealer is who damaged your lug nuts and are attempting to cover it up by saying the car is a rust bucket.

For a 2011, it has as much as my 2004, more or less, but it's still very solid. As all the others have said, your truck is fine. I would replace the lugs anda be sure the rims are not badly damaged from the lugs.

How does their process handle the rust that is already there? I wonder if they are any different better/worse than Krown. (Website quotes $139 for heavy duty pickup)
https://www.krown.com/pricing/heavy-duty-pickup/

I thought so to. Found one an hour away in Ohio...

Anyone ever use GIBBS??