Daily Driving a Bump

[Subzero]

Does anyone use their truck as a daily driver? Would the truck rust still during normal year round use if it was Line-X'd undercoated? I thought about this before but I never really directly asked anyone. Thanks

[TexasTruck72]

I think it depends on the conditions of your area, roads, and how it is parked or stored. In the southeast, I drive my truck year round and at least 3 days a week if not more. It is exposed to rain and sun. I haven't noticed any growth of the existing rust on the underside of my truck. As long as I wash off any mud or thick road grime(which rarely happens), the existing layer of surface rust stays the same. Also keeping the top side of your truck washed & clean is important to prolonging the life of your truck, especially if it is not kept in a garage or under cover.

If you LineX the bottom side of your truck, I think you could get away with more abuse/neglect and not have to worry as much. It's hard for me to say because I keep both my trucks in top shape no matter which one is currently the daily driver. Depends on the day of the week.

[9t3svt]

Would only work if prepped right. I would think POR 15 or similar to be better, neutralizing it. Plus less weight.

[fordman]

Undercoating is similar to bedliner stuff I think. But u want to have all the rust fixed first. Before just coating over the rust holes or flaky stuff.

[Subzero]

So far the truck looks pretty good rust wise and is very solid. I looked into this POR 15 and it seems like some heavy duty stuff. I would need a shop to undercoat as I don't have a compressor or spray gun.

[abe]

So far the truck looks pretty good rust wise and is very solid. I looked into this POR 15 and it seems like some heavy duty stuff. I would need a shop to undercoat as I don't have a compressor or spray gun.

You can brush it on took.

[WarEagle]

There is a tool called an air needle scaler that can remove paint, rust and cr*p. Mine is air powered but someone might make an electric. Remove the rust first and you will get better adhesion and longer life.

[Kurt Combs]

I would think undercoating would be best used to decrease sound, unless you are in an area where they salt the roads in the winter and then it might help with preventing rust. I'd just clean it and paint any exposed/bare metal. I think undercoating will hold the moisture in and cause more rust, but that is just my opinion, and we all know about opinions.....

[Subzero]

In VA if it snows the roads get a sand/salt mixture put on the roads. The moisture does concern me too. Line X is "supposed" to be put on "hot" from what I've looked at so their is no moisture under it. I have never seen what the results are from it over time though.

[adrianspeeder]

I'll daily the '71 in the spring and summer, and switch to my K5 diesel for the winter. Only three miles to work, and the truck gets some nice comments on base. Plus can't be in a more secure parking lot.

Adrianspeeder

[Jenna]

I would just say make sure you are careful with putting any under coating on, if you have any moisture inside or bare spots it will cause more damage then the salted roads themselves w/regular rust prevention.

[cep62]

I would just say make sure you are careful with putting any under coating on, if you have any moisture inside or bare spots it will cause more damage then the salted roads themselves w/regular rust prevention.

Any thick heavy coating can actually trap moisture and promote rust.
It's better to get down to the base metal (rust) and try to chemically stop it.
THEN coat it with a protective barrier, preferably a thin substance that will creep into the nooks and crannies. (Transtar has a real thin sealant, or if you're on a budget auto trans fluid works good too)
Then coat it with a thicker black "rustproofing" to protect it.
Some ares of the country still have Ziebart available and can do the dirty work for you.

[F100builder]

I've got my '70 torn apart but I would imagine you can still apply POR-15, Rust Bullet, etc. with a brush as long as you clean and degrease the underside and let dry THOROUGHLY first. POR-15 and Rust Bullet actually bond to rust and stop it chemically while rubberized under coating simply covers it up and may not stop it. As mentioned earlier, a bed coating might be heavy but it could be sprayed on thinly I suppose. I have no idea how you'd get that stuff off though if you ever restored or wanted to repaint...undercoating is a PITA to remove too. I'm using Rust Bullet (top coating not required and has UV protection) on my frame and undersides of the cab and bed. I will then be priming and painting the body color over the Rust Bullet on the cab and bed undersides. I will be driving my truck as much as I can except on icy, snowy, slick roads...and as much as I can afford gas for it!

Anyway, if you can swing it, you could grab one of those $10-$15 paint guns from Harbor Freight and rent a compressor or perhaps borrow one for the job.