Truck Frame rust

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

I was wondering what works for frame rust. I see all kind of sprays but that seems like a touch up and more preventive. Would the best way to remove rust be a wire brush, belt sander, or sandblast? I would think any kind of metal grinder would take more then rust off and could cause problems. I realize this is a bigger problem in the northeast then anywhere else but its still a major issue. The trucks around here are rotting out in as fast as 8 years. I just looked at a 05 with 53k on it and the frame looked like my 88 dump truck.

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[Cashin H&P]

Lawn care business tips

Originally Posted by SECTLANDSCAPING I was wondering what works for frame rust. I see all kind of sprays but that seems like a touch up and more preventive. Would the best way to remove rust be a wire brush, belt sander, or sandblast? I would think any kind of metal grinder would take more then rust off and could cause problems. I realize this is a bigger problem in the northeast then anywhere else but its still a major issue. The trucks around here are rotting out in as fast as 8 years. I just looked at a 05 with 53k on it and the frame looked like my 88 dump truck. sandblast then coat with a rust converter.

[bruces]

if your looking to get more frame rust ,just cover your truck with salt and spray it with warm water .If your looking to get rid of the rust ,depending on how bad it is ,any of the methods you asked about can be used .I would definately paint the frame after cleaning ,probably with something like por 15 ,then use a non-hardening undercoat .

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Originally Posted by bruces

if your looking to get more frame rust ,just cover your truck with salt and spray it with warm water .If your looking to get rid of the rust ,depending on how bad it is ,any of the methods you asked about can be used .I would definately paint the frame after cleaning ,probably with something like por 15 ,then use a non-hardening undercoat .

I hear good thing about por but I'm saying once it gets bad isnt kinda futile. If I ever bought a new truck I would factory undercoat it then reapply every few years. It seems like people dont do a damn thing till it rots.

I looked at about a dozen trucks and my 2000 with 274k is in better shape. The guy that owned it before me used diesel and old motor oil on the frame. Its a shame most arent even plow trucks. All my trucks carry sanders and salt in the bed.

I'm partially pointing out what others do and deciding how to clean up my 02 at the same time.

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Originally Posted by cashin home and property

sandblast then coat with a rust converter.

To properly sandblast you would have to pull the frame. It would almost be easier to just replace it if your going to do all that. You could probably do a pretty thorough job by pulling the bed and thats only a few bolts.

[willshome]

Originally Posted by SECTLANDSCAPING

undercoat it then reapply every few years.

EVERY year EVERY year Every year

no one ever says "man I wish I did not spend $25 a year on spray" OR "I have to much paint on my frame."

[stevef1201]

Now I realize that you are probably not talking about going to this extreme but. I worked with a guy down here who was restoring his 1965 ford 1/2 ton. We took everything apart, the body, the front end, the rear axle, the springs, the wiring harness etc. EVERYTHING. Then blasted with, depending on what was needed, sand, crushed walnuts, soda, even dry ice. He took the frame somewhere and it dip galvanized, then we started repainting and re assembling. Now we only worked on it occasionally, and when he could find the original parts (remember this was a restoration) It took about 2 years.

I would say if the rust is bad (cancer like) your screwed. However if it is just like surface rust, maybe a little metal gone then sand blasting, using a rest converted and re-undercoating should work.

And yes I agree with the pressure wash the under side every spring, inspect and reapply undercoating. It may be a pain in the butt, however spending a weekend in April doing that is going to be a lot less of a pain than shelling out thousands of dollars every few years for a new truck.

[Lopes Lawn Care]

My father has done the diesel/motor oil mixture on all his cars/trucks. Over the years I've definitely seen how much it actually helps prevent rust. The truck I use was originally his, which he bought from an auction years before. It's a 95 ford f150 straight six and has just now started showing signs of rust. Not on the frame so much as rot on the typical rear fenders and cab.

I've been looking at trucks too and your right Sect, over here these frames are all shot. Most of the trucks I've looked at look like they could just fall apart driving them home.

I will continue doing the oil/fuel mix cause it takes no time. It costs peanuts. I just use old motor oil and an old big paint brush. I would recommend obviously not doing it on an area that you don't want oil drips on or putting a tarp down and driving your truck onto it before applying. I also avoid the exhaust and wait for a bit before starting the truck up.

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Originally Posted by Lopes Lawn Care

My father has done the diesel/motor oil mixture on all his cars/trucks. Over the years I've definitely seen how much it actually helps prevent rust. The truck I use was originally his, which he bought from an auction years before. It's a 95 ford f150 straight six and has just now started showing signs of rust. Not on the frame so much as rot on the typical rear fenders and cab.

On my completely rotted dump truck there was a small oil leak on the driver side. It was the only part of the truck not rusted. I mean holes in the floor, mason dump looked like it was machine gunned, this truck was so bad that even though it ran fine I buried it in a shallow grave. I kept thinking one day someone is going to get hurt.

I hear you dont have to prep the frame for POR 15. If thats the case its worth it for the labor savings alone.

stevef1201, that would be the correct way to do it. I hear shops charge around 7k for a frame swap. You think that kinda money people would think of maintenance but I guess they think I wont own it in 5 years who cares.

On a different but completely related subject. I was getting gas for my 02 f250 and I noticed gas leaking on the ground. I take a peek and the filler neck was rotted. I had no tools and was forced to break off the rusted filler with my hand to fill up. I called around and the only place to get the part is ebay and the junk yard.

[stevef1201]

SECTLAND**-I cannot believe the number of people that I know who think that washing the underside of the truck/car is ridiculous. My dad had a Ford F259 4x4 that he put over a million miles on and he washed the underside every week, summer and winter, The road salts will absolutely destroy a vehicle. Sure its a pain in the *** to get out the sprayer and wash when its freezing but the proof is in the pudding.

It like not washing the mower at the end of day, and wonder why the deck is rusted out before the end of the season.