Protecting your Raptor in the Winter from Corrosion

I've seen a lot of threads recently having a common theme of how to protect your suspension/undercarriage in the winter. I live in IL 30 miles south of Wisconsin, so I'm know what nasty and salty winters can do to a Raptor. With the winter around the corner, I figured I would share my experience.

These are two products that I have used over the years. There are dozens of products out there, but these are my personal favorites although they both have a downside. They are both very easy to apply, just spray it on.

You can get Fluid Film in hardware stores or Amazon and costs around $11 @ can. Amsoil is a little harder to find and costs a bit more. If you just spray your shocks/leaf springs, 1 can will be plenty. If you are giving your undercarriage and suspension a full spraying, expect to use 2-3 cans.

Positives:

They both work awesome for the purpose of rust/corrosion resistance and protection. One application will last the winter.

Negatives:

Fluid Film; It's made from sheep fat, so if you keep your Raptor in the garage, expect it to smell like a barn for a few weeks.

Amsoil; It leaves a red tint on everything you coat, not a big deal on the frame, but I wish I did not spray my Fox 3.0s with it.

I use fluid film, I park the raptor outside for at least 2 - 3 days, until I can walk by it and not smell it anymore, best to spray it on when it is warmer out, seems to dissipate the smell quicker.

Will also add, that check that factory duct tape on the inside of your rockers where the running boards bolt on, these usually peel off after a year. You should remove it if its peeling and replace with gorilla tape, make sure the surface is clean. The gorilla tape has held up really well, but check it every couple of years. Make sure your drain holes for the rockers are clear and clean, then spray your rust protectant along there as well.

I used to live in northern Illinois too and there wasn't anything that would protect from rust with the amount of salt they dump on the roads every year. I did find one thing that was a sure bet to keep rust away though! I moved to Colorado!!!

Plug the cab corner hole.

I have slowly been fluid filming under my 2014 before winter, dropped the spare and got all up in there also. All I have left is to remove the skid plates to access the front components easier. Its $50 for a 6 pack of fluid film on amazon, that and a little time each year to pervent the number 1 cause for early death on these trucks is worth it. I want to pass mine on to my son so I am going above and beyond to make sure it lasts as long as possible.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Fluid film. Every day of the week. It smells like ass but its not bad if you leave it outside for a day or two. Stuff also its not too bad as far as collecting dust. I've been lucky for living in areas that are low on corrosion but I still use that stuff all the time.

Edit: I just did some maintenance on my bed rack and ended wiping it down all over on the rack. Definitely needed it. I'll probably pull it apart next spring and repaint it. For the time being fluid film babyyyyy

Drop the spare and spray up there really well, every year. Do the rear of the crossmembers and the back corner of the box side bottoms.

I need to get under there and do that again. I just ordered a jet ski and I want to protect my truck when load/unloading the ski at the ramp.

Just wanted to give you guys a tip, look on other spray cans you have laying around to find a spray nozzle with more of a fan pattern. I took one off of a can of plastidip and it lays down a way better/smoother fan pattern and prevents a thick, nast, and inconsistent coating like I was getting with the one that comes on the fluid film can.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

FiveOsvt said:

Just wanted to give you guys a tip, look on other spray cans you have laying around to find a spray nozzle with more of a fan pattern. I took one off of a can of plastidip and it lays down a way better/smoother fan pattern and prevents a thick, nast, and inconsistent coating like I was getting with the one that comes on the fluid film can.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

great idea.