Many different options have come and gone over the years when it comes to rust protection. They can all be broken down into a few main categories: a product that hardens, a wax or oil based product, and devices that claim to stop rust electronically.
Products that harden have been around for ages. Examples include rubberized undercoats, asphalt-based formulas, and enamel based formulas. These options tend to be quite expensive, and require extensive surface prep to work properly. They must be applied on perfectly clean metal, and will not adhere very well to existing surface rust. Their major drawback is the fact that when they crack or chip, they begin to allow water behind the coating, rotting your frame away from behind. They may look great at the start, but what goes on behind the scenes will eventually spell disaster.
Electronic rust stopping devices sound great, and work well on paper. They claim to work by creating a negative electrical charge throughout your frame, supposedly interfering with the chemical reaction between iron and oxygen, stopping rust. Most of these companies that sell these products end up shut down after a few years, open up under a different name, shut down after a few years, and the cycle continues. These devices have been around for quite a while, unlike the vehicles they are installed on. They simply do not work in the real world.
Wax or oil based based undercoat products have been around for about a century. Wool Wax, Fluid Film, Protection First Class (PFC), NHOU, and Surface Shield are a few examples of these types of products. Each formula is a bit different, but all operate under the same idea: they form a wax-based coating around your frame, sealing out all things that promote corrosion. The coating is extremely hydrophobic, and since it doesn’t harden or crack, it will not allow moisture behind the coating. It also soaks deep into any existing rust, completely stopping it from spreading further. These types of coatings are by far the most effective at stopping rust, but require a bit of upkeep. The nature of the product means that it will slowly wear off over time. You can expect at least a full year of coverage after your initial application. Avoiding car washes with undercarriage spray helps prolong the coating. After a year, bring it back for a touch up to re-coat high wash areas. The best practice is to apply once a year around the same time, and after about 3 years completely wash the coating off and start with a fresh coat. We can of course handle all of the upkeep, including the 3 year reset. All you need to worry about is dropping it off. A lanolin wax based undercoat is by far the most effective way to stop rust, and is also very budget friendly compared to coatings that harden. Feel free to reach out any time with any questions!
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