What did you do TO your Gladiator today? [ADMIN WARNING: NO POLITICS, NO GUN TALK]

[KQL]

Nice, sounds pretty easy. Have you had luck with these keeping the undercarriage protected? I’ve heard of Fluid film before but it was landscapers who were using it to keep grass from sticking to the underside of their deck.

My brother in Christ, you may be ready to hear about Google search!
But in seriousness, many folks using fluid film/wool wax products. The only debate seems to be (shorter lived product like fluid film applied every year) vs (longer lived products like cosmoline) if you’re going to protect your undercarriage. Kinda like mid-grade steel in your knife sharpened more often but easier, vs a super steel that will stay sharp longer but will be a bear to sharpen. I haven’t seen anyone treat just 1/2 of their undercarriage (left vs right) and then compare over many years, although someone probably has.

edit: learn from my mistake: don’t spray near bushings unless you like little squeaks coming from your chassis.

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[ShadowsPapa]

edit: learn from my mistake: don’t spray near bushings unless you like little squeaks coming from your chassis.

You really have me there, because, technically that's impossible unless you destroyed the bushings.
Bushings are bonded to the outer shell and inner sleeve. They are permanently attached and to break that bond means the bushing is trash.
Once installed, with the outer sleeve literally pressed into whatever it is in, such as a control arm, track bar and so on, it becomes part of that part and can't move within it.
Once installed, the inner sleeve of the bushing is clamped tight into the bracket, such as the bracket on the frame or axle housing for the control arm, track bar or whatever.
This means - no moving parts, the bushing is held totally tight in both parts. All that can happen is the bushing flex. It's secured to the moving part (axle) and the stationary part (frame).
for there to be any noise means that it's LOOSE.
It's not the spray, which is in effect a type of lube making things more slick/slippery and shedding water, any spray at all like that should quiet a squeak (like when my boss sprayed down the underside of his 50s Buick with linseed oil every year - all squeaks disappeared like magic!)
If the spray you use can eat rubber and break that bond between outer sleeve and the rubber, I'm not so sure it's something I'd be spraying on any part of my truck as imagine what it would do to electrical connectors with seals in them.

What I'm suggesting is that either what you used can literally damage rubber parts and break the bond of a bushing between the rubber and inner and outer sleeves, or, it's noting at all to do what what you sprayed and nothing to do with bushings. It's not possible for a direct connection - the spray would act as a lube unless it destroys rubber parts.

 

[Hootbro]

Nice, sounds pretty easy. Have you had luck with these keeping the undercarriage protected? I’ve heard of Fluid film before but it was landscapers who were using it to keep grass from sticking to the underside of their deck.

Yeah, I have used it for over 10+ years on all my vehicle and it keeps the corrosion at bay pretty well.

You want to do an annual reapplication every year. The first time you do it, that is where you need to make the best effort to get to all the places you want it. After that, it is less important and broader application of the product is fine. The PB Blaster Surface Shield product claims a 2 year application guide as it seems to adhere and stick a little better. It is rubber and bushing safe and never had a problem.

Like others mentioned, Google is your friend on this if you want to see videos of people using it to include long term. Keep in mind though that after application and going forward, all the the stuff you spray it on will develop a grime and greasiness to it as is somewhat semi-dries and will attract small road grit and grime to it. You have to be somewhat careful when you get under your vehicle for things like oil changes and other service work or you will get smudge transfer to yourself and clothes.

Home Depot sells the Fluid Film and Blaster Surface Shield in the store in the aerosol can form. Gallons of either have to be ordered online through like Amazon or other places. I kind of would recommend for first time users to use the rattle spray cans to get a feel for what the product is. You will need about 4-6 cans depending on how thick you lay it. Cans are 2X-3X the cost vs. the gallon but you will only need about 1/2 a gallon for a yearly application.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yeah, I have used it for over 10+ years on all my vehicle and it keeps the corrosion at bay pretty well.

You want to do an annual reapplication every year. The first time you do it, that is where you need to make the best effort to get to all the places you want it. After that, it is less important and broader application of the product is fine. The PB Blaster Surface Shield product claims a 2 year application guide as it seems to adhere and stick a little better.

Like others mentioned, Google is your friend on this if you want to see videos of people using it to include long term. Keep in mind though that after application and going forward, all the the stuff you spray it on will develop a grime and greasiness to it as is somewhat semi-dries and will attract small road grit and grime to it. You have to be somewhat careful when you get under your vehicle for things like oil changes and other service work or you will get smudge transfer to yourself and clothes.

Home Depot sells the Fluid Film and Blaster Surface Shield in the store in the aerosol can form. Gallons of either have to be ordered online through like Amazon or other places. I kind of would recommend for first time users to use the rattle spray cans to get a feel for what the product is. You will need about 4-6 cans depending on how thick you lay it. Cans are 2X-3X the cost vs. the gallon but you will only need about 1/2 a gallon for a yearly application.

What's the viscosity like for use with a paint sprayer?

 

[steve68]

Warshed it yesterday, thats about all,

 

[Hootbro]

What's the viscosity like for use with a paint sprayer?

No more than a heavy latex paint would be. That is the nozzle selection you want to use with a electric paint sprayer.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

No more than a heavy latex paint would be. That is the nozzle selection you want to use with a electric paint sprayer.

I wondered when you said you used a sprayer - I wondered if it was similar to a latex.

 

[Hootbro]

I wondered when you said you used a sprayer - I wondered if it was similar to a latex.

I would suggest either using a sprayer you no longer care about using again for paint or pick up a cheapie sprayer used or new and just assign it for use with the fluid film. Harbor Freight use to sell one for like $20 or so but I am no longer seeing it online. You can clean it up again for use with paint, but it is a pain.

 

[KQL]

You really have me there, because, technically that's impossible unless you destroyed the bushings.
Bushings are bonded to the outer shell and inner sleeve. They are permanently attached and to break that bond means the bushing is trash.
Once installed, with the outer sleeve literally pressed into whatever it is in, such as a control arm, track bar and so on, it becomes part of that part and can't move within it.
Once installed, the inner sleeve of the bushing is clamped tight into the bracket, such as the bracket on the frame or axle housing for the control arm, track bar or whatever.
This means - no moving parts, the bushing is held totally tight in both parts. All that can happen is the bushing flex. It's secured to the moving part (axle) and the stationary part (frame).
for there to be any noise means that it's LOOSE.
It's not the spray, which is in effect a type of lube making things more slick/slippery and shedding water, any spray at all like that should quiet a squeak (like when my boss sprayed down the underside of his 50s Buick with linseed oil every year - all squeaks disappeared like magic!)
If the spray you use can eat rubber and break that bond between outer sleeve and the rubber, I'm not so sure it's something I'd be spraying on any part of my truck as imagine what it would do to electrical connectors with seals in them.

What I'm suggesting is that either what you used can literally damage rubber parts and break the bond of a bushing between the rubber and inner and outer sleeves, or, it's noting at all to do what what you sprayed and nothing to do with bushings. It's not possible for a direct connection - the spray would act as a lube unless it destroys rubber parts.

I have not extensively chased this down, but it sounds like my driver side sway bar bushing picked up a squeak after fluid film application. This is one of the split bushings that I don’t think is bonded to the sway bar. I suspect I was too sloppy in my application and lubed the surface between the bushing and the sway bar.

 

[SnazzGlad]

Got it all muddy today at my sons Soccer game lol. Parking lot turned into a mud pit after all the rain by me. Almost put it in 4wd but all the mini vans made it ?

 

[Billkowski]

Bedrug.....I think I'm going to like this thing.

 

[culdbbi]

Put on some lights. Of course, they are bluetooth for the moment. Hopefully will get them wired up during the week.

Lights, Mount

 

[TestMule]

Today I did two small installs.

I added two Teraflex adjustable tiedowns to the bed rail, one per side, near the rear of the bed.

Then I installed a Fishbone Offroad hi-lift jack mount.

I'll have to get some pics taken or it didn't happen, right?

 

[Blade1668]

Tread Lightly Four Wheel Drive Way, Ocala Fl. Super tight there, pinstripes galore. Not a very challenging BOH other than hearing the constant brush scraping the paint, that was by far the most difficult part lol.

Yeah that and some of the water crossing can be messy.... Are there any left there now? Last time I rode in Ocala N.F area was about 20 years ago.

 

[Sempe-Fi Rubicon]

Depending on rain yes can still get messy out there.

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