Rustproofing or Undercoating for New Trucks ????????

Greetings Fellow Truck Enthusiasts,

I'm curious about rustproofing/undercoating for new trucks. Over the last 25 years or more - when you bought a new or close to new car - you got it rustproofed/undercoated. Usually the dealerships worked on getting customers to do it at the dealership. Or there was Zeibart and other national franchises to do it. Spraying under the body - in the doors and cavities etc. etc..

So what about the new 2003, 04, and 05 trucks. The dealer when I bought mine - didn't have it included and didn't try to sell it (at least it isn't listed on the Window Stickers). Of course we've all heard about galvanized sheet metal parts etc.. I'm told my new 2004 has some type of a wax type undercoating on certain areas. Is that a long term solution or just a production protection activity during manufacturer and pre-sale storage appearance enhancement?

My question is - should we be rustproofing or undercoating our new vehcicles any longer? (I'm talking the WA, OR, MT, UT, ND, SD, WI, MN, MI, and other northern climates of course). Ice, snow, salt, rain, sand.

Opinions and comments would be appreciated. Is there still a place/need/benefit for Zeibart type activity for new vehicles?

White Lightening

I'm not sure when, but some time within the past 15 or so years they started galvanizing the body parts, so maybe that's why no undercoating

I don't know all of the 99-01 Pacific Northwest wagons I've seen are pretty rusty if they aren't protected. Mine was a little iffy when I bought it not bad just a few touchy spots. So, off to the Car wash to pressure wash the under carriage and I went home. A few days later I spray bombed the entire under carriage with Black paint. Perhaps this summer I'll buy that undercoating in a can that Canuck Tire sells.
I used that on my old vehicle and it lasted for years. Just stinky and messy job is all.

Definately worth it in my mind if you want to protect your running gear.

My 2000 mannual says not to rustproof the truck. It has already been done from the factory. I'v been under my truck a few times and there is definetly a coating of somekind on the undercarriage. I live in INdiana, myself. The truck has yet to show signs of rust anywhere, rockers, doors, hood, frame, nothing...

So in the end, I guess, I'm not sure. LOL Oh well.

I'm not sure when, but some time within the past 15 or so years they started galvanizing the body parts, so maybe that's why no undercoating

Greetings BlenderWizard and others,

The reason for my questions and concern is the following:
1. During my decisionmaking process - I test drove many new trucks - especially many Ford F150's and some Nissan Titans. I noted on a few of the NEW F150's - a considerable amount of rust - on the underbody sides of the box, on the brackets and suspension area, and on parts of the exhaust system. All this could be visually seen from the side - just looking in the wheel well areas. Their trucks are galvanized too I'm told. some of the trucks had it - some didn't - and they were all NEW Midwest trucks this fall (they had not yet seen our road salt from winter or Ocean salt spray related from the coasts).

2. The sales person at the chevy dealer where I bought my truck said the coating that is on the underbody of the Silverados is a wax based product that "should last" a few years.

Having personally seen some of the effects on new Ford F150s with galvanized metal - I'm wondering if Ford does a different process of undercoating than does Chevy - or a different level of galvanizing (I know the Chevy's have stainless exhaust systems). Or is undercoating still a reasonable activity to do before rust can get a start?

Again - continued and additionaol opinions are desired.

White Lightening

wax based product sounds like the stuff thay sprayed on my miltary truck. it should last a long time. as long as it does not come in contact with gas.

I changed my fuel filter on my silverado this week. the gas did a number on the undercoating. I did notice that the frame was put on a rack when it was coated. there are 4 spots ware there is no under coating. I am going to hit them with a spray on under coating. also going to hit all the major spots ware the truck should start to rust first. under the wheel wells.

my 85 c10 was zbarted after all the years of use and abuse. I only had rust in the cab corners and wheel wells. at 19 years old it held up realy good.

Actually guys, the newer trucks, I believe that GM started in 2000, putting some type of black under carriage protection.....GM recommends not to spray under the truck, because it can cause water pockets and in turn cause premature rusting......BUT, yes there is a BUT, since GM is so dawm cheap, with everything including the undercoating....IT doesn't last.......Usuallly after 3 years it is considered 'safe' to go with some sort of rustproofing.....

Actually guys, the newer trucks, I believe that GM started in 2000, putting some type of black under carriage protection.....GM recommends not to spray under the truck, because it can cause water pockets and in turn cause premature rusting......BUT, yes there is a BUT, since GM is so dawm cheap, with everything including the undercoating....IT doesn't last.......Usuallly after 3 years it is considered 'safe' to go with some sort of rustproofing.....


....so that black shit that got scraped off my frame when i went down a curb that was a little higher than i thought is the coating? is their any way i can put something else on it?.... i did a pretty good job, maybe about a 1' 1/2" was scraped off.

And I'm assuming that's why the frame and suspension feel sorta sticky to the touch?