Frame Salted From the Factory

[Hamandcamo]

Title says it all. I picked up my vehicle this week, and was doing a detailed clean of the vehicle this morning. I've never owned a Solid front axled vehicle, so I was looking underneath to see how everything worked. I noticed that there were white splotches everywhere on my frame. I thought 'huh, that's a weird factory coating, why does it feel so gritty?'. Started rubbing it in my hands, did the smell/taste and realized my entire frame has been covered in salt. I start looking more and more, and noticed some rust spots (albeit, very small) at the welds of the frame and a couple of a surface rust spots on a vehicle in the south with less than 30 miles on it. There is even salt between the hood and body of the vehicle. Rust on the exhaust(nbd), diffs, and a couple of suspension components. I don't blame the dealer for this, but I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

With that being said, I was looking for some advice from our friends in the northern portion of the country. What is the best soap/detergent to remove the salt from within the frame? Does rust reformer+fluid film work? Is fluid film paint safe? If the salt is up to the hood line, then I'm assuming it is within the drain holes on the underside of the vehicle. How does one remove the salt from there? Does anyone have a good method to remove the salt from the inside of the truck bed? I noticed there's a huge gap that basically flings all the grim coming off of the rear tires directly to where the tail lights are connected to the bed of the vehicle. I felt around and in there and noticed it was pretty course. Any information helps.

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[Ohio JKU]

My guess is it’s from transport, and it’s probably everywhere.... the salt spray gets kicked up and turned into a fine mist.

id go to your normal car wash and spray as normal, but also up from the sides, and underneath. Don’t pressure wash the engine. But wash and soak. Then go through agood automatic wash that has the up spray.

Repeat a few time over a few weeks,a Good rain storm drive might help too.

 

[Ohio JKU]

After all this cleaning, once dry... you might hit the frame or welds with some rust oleum

 

[PyrPatriot]

Note to self: only buy vehicles made in Summer/Fall

 

[wchevron]

You could try a car wash with an undercarriage spray option. Or take a powerwasher and try to spray everything down.

 

[punk'n]

If you are worried that a simple wash won't remove it, I'd use Salt Away in a hose mounted mixer so you can spray it with a garden hose.

We've used it in jet skis and boats for years with great results.

example:

https://www.amazon.com/SA32M-Concen...ocphy=9003551&hvtargid=pla-494270283261&psc=1

 

[Sawburner]

I just got a power broom ($50 at Home Depot) that fits on the end of my pressure washer for doing driveways/sidewalks and it can be turned over to do under vehicles that is what I will be using. NY uses so much salt that when the roads dry out they are white I hate it.

 

[redrider]

A pressure wash will cause the offending matter to be driven deeper into cracks and crevices.

 

[sdk131]

get it cleaned up...then use Amsoil metal protector hd. It goes on as a liquid and dries like candle wax. Awesome stuff....does not rinse off like fluid film. I heavily apply it to all my new vehicles when they are clean. Fluid film is great on older/dirtier vehicles but since it never dries it creates a greasy mess and it will rinse off over time. Note - I do use fluid film on older vehicles and inside frame rails where you can apply it with a 360 degree spray nozzle and it creeps into the nooks and crannies.

https://www.amsoil.com/p/heavy-duty-metal-protector-amhsc/

 

[rr11]

I suggest to try the Salt Away. I have used it on boats and trailers for years, it works my old boat trailer was 15 years old and looked great.

 

[CerOf]

I suggest you take it back to the dealer. You paid $$$, dint accept a deficient vehicle.

 

[Speedy_12139]

I suggest you take it back to the dealer. You paid $$$, dint accept a deficient vehicle.

LOL, what are they gonna do? Besides laugh in your face? There's Brand new vehicles, on the lot, that are dirty from transport/sitting.

Run it through the coin op car wash a couple times, (like you should do regardless) to your satisfaction, if the salt has started rusting components, follow proper prep procedure on those spots, and touch em up with paint...

THEN! I would highly recommend, once all spots have been touched up, you have the truck undercoated with Fluid Film/Woolwax/Krown undercoating.. Protect your investment some.

OTHERWISE!

Get out from under your JEEP, and stop worrying. Before your next post is "omg guy's, what do I do about the dirt/mud on my chassis".

 

[CerOf]

Dirt/mud is entirely different than salt. The dealer needs to have done a complete detailing.

I don’t guy buy a new mattress that’s dirty. I don’t buy a shirt that’s dirty.

Make the dealer detail it.

PS My dealer won’t laugh in your face. They would have detailed it. If your dealer laughs at you, grow a pair and stick to your guns.

 

[PyrPatriot]

For everyone who says to coat their underbody with stuff: did nobody read the warranty? I recall some sort of language saying coating the undercarriage will void metal coating warranty. But, it's been a little while since I read it so might be worth double checking before applying anything

 

[sdk131]

For everyone who says to coat their underbody with stuff: did nobody read the warranty? I recall some sort of language saying coating the undercarriage will void metal coating warranty. But, it's been a little while since I read it so might be worth double checking before applying anything

Saw that....and don't care at all. Using fluid film or amsoil metal protector from new has basically zero chance of harming anything. The issues are when people use those horrible rubber undercoatings or spray on bedliners.

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