Truck rust protection and repair. 2003 Silverado.

zlowery
Profile picture for user zlowery
Posts
212
Joined
12/6/2010
Location
Scenery Hill, PA US
zlowery
Just picked up a nice 2003 Silverado 2500HD Duramax. Real nice truck. Very happy with it. Living up in PA here, things tend to rust pretty bad with road salt and winters. I'd like to really preserve this truck as much as possible and keep it looking good and mechanically solid.

I know nothing about working on car bodys/frames. I'd like to take the bed off and do some sort of rust proofing to the frame. Is this a good idea? Any products/coatings anyone can recommend? Anything I should watch out for and replace while I do so?

Back of cab corners have rust holes. Only spot on the truck. What would it cost to get these fixed? Worth it?






|
MR. X
Profile picture for user MR. X
Posts
6914
Joined
6/24/2010
Location
North Tonawanda, NY US
MR. X 9/19/2016 6:22am
9/19/2016 6:22am
I have a 2005 cavalier that has zero rust and sees every winter in WNY (salt) I've had it sprayed with rust away a couple times . The stuff works . They charged we 100 bucks to do a cavalier so maybe double that for a truck.
rallendude
Profile picture for user rallendude
Posts
2200
Joined
8/17/2006
Location
Adger, AL US
rallendude 9/19/2016 8:15am
9/19/2016 8:15am
Just looking at the truck, I'd say it's definitely worth fixing. If you don't fix it right and soon it will be much worse. If you've got the cab corners rusting, I'd bet there's some hiding under the rear quarters between the rear tires and bumper somewhere. Also, check the bottom edge of the tailgate. Don't know what it would cost to fix but that truck could easily last another ten years.

MR. X
Profile picture for user MR. X
Posts
6914
Joined
6/24/2010
Location
North Tonawanda, NY US
MR. X 9/19/2016 8:24am
9/19/2016 8:24am
Those years were bad for rust ,my 2000 chevy was a nightmare ,the frame rotted through ,the drivers floor could fit a basketball through it ,the brake lines all rotted out.
ns503
Profile picture for user ns503
Posts
4238
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
NS Toolies CA
ns503 9/19/2016 9:28am
9/19/2016 9:28am
Up here, we have Rust Check, and Krown.

They are both to be done annually - but after a couple of successive years, you might be able to go every other year. Costs in the 150 area to get our Pilot done with Krown. I would recommend either. Shouldn't have to take the bed off - the stuff creeps where they can't actually directly hit.

The Shop

See All »
GeorgiePorgie 9/19/2016 12:57pm
9/19/2016 12:57pm
Drive through car washes with undercarriage spray atleast 3 times a week in the winter.
MR. X
Profile picture for user MR. X
Posts
6914
Joined
6/24/2010
Location
North Tonawanda, NY US
MR. X 9/19/2016 12:59pm
9/19/2016 12:59pm
GeorgiePorgie wrote:
Drive through car washes with undercarriage spray atleast 3 times a week in the winter.
I do it when it gets above freezing,someone once told me that rust doesn't start til you get above freezing.
zlowery
Profile picture for user zlowery
Posts
212
Joined
12/6/2010
Location
Scenery Hill, PA US
zlowery 9/20/2016 6:33am
9/20/2016 6:33am
ns503 wrote:
Up here, we have Rust Check, and Krown. They are both to be done annually - but after a couple of successive years, you might be...
Up here, we have Rust Check, and Krown.

They are both to be done annually - but after a couple of successive years, you might be able to go every other year. Costs in the 150 area to get our Pilot done with Krown. I would recommend either. Shouldn't have to take the bed off - the stuff creeps where they can't actually directly hit.
Good info. I'm looking into both of those. Seems like a good route to prolong the metal. Thanks!
Cygnus
Profile picture for user Cygnus
Posts
14848
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Hanover, CO US
Cygnus 9/20/2016 8:41am
9/20/2016 8:41am
Haven't seen a ziebart add since I moved out of Chicago. Stuff doesnt rust much out here.
jtiger12
Profile picture for user jtiger12
Posts
1723
Joined
8/2/2006
Location
Forest H Ill, MD US
jtiger12 9/20/2016 3:15pm
9/20/2016 3:15pm Edited Date/Time 9/20/2016 3:16pm
Por15 metal prep, then por15 paint. Scrub it down good with a wire brush or media blaster, then roll or bush on. Neutralizes rust, great stuff. Wife's dad has been using it for years.

Nice truck. I'm looking for a decent 1500 myself. What was the final cost?
zlowery
Profile picture for user zlowery
Posts
212
Joined
12/6/2010
Location
Scenery Hill, PA US
zlowery 9/20/2016 3:49pm
9/20/2016 3:49pm
jtiger12 wrote:
Por15 metal prep, then por15 paint. Scrub it down good with a wire brush or media blaster, then roll or bush on. Neutralizes rust, great stuff...
Por15 metal prep, then por15 paint. Scrub it down good with a wire brush or media blaster, then roll or bush on. Neutralizes rust, great stuff. Wife's dad has been using it for years.

Nice truck. I'm looking for a decent 1500 myself. What was the final cost?
Thanks. Looks closer to what i need. Because there is already a light rust on it. I wouldnt mind removing the bed and putting a good coat of that on. 101k miles. 14g. Flawless except the cab corners. All options, leather is near perfect.
jtiger12
Profile picture for user jtiger12
Posts
1723
Joined
8/2/2006
Location
Forest H Ill, MD US
jtiger12 9/20/2016 4:18pm
9/20/2016 4:18pm
Cool deal. Watch them brake lines too, they're a mother .
Sir Roostsalot 9/20/2016 6:06pm
9/20/2016 6:06pm
Are they using the new "road treatment" in PA yet? It's nothing more than a brine solution. The shitheads here in CT have been using it for a few years now and you might as well just partially submerge your vehicle in the ocean. Rots brake lines, drums, frame rails, e brake cables and nearly any unpainted surface overnight. Watch those cab corners the rust will spread fast.
mikec265
Profile picture for user mikec265
Posts
1669
Joined
10/19/2015
Location
Edinboro, PA US
mikec265 9/21/2016 9:29am
9/21/2016 9:29am
I use used 15w40 with Lucas additive out of my semi. Black aND will mess up your clothes but keeps the underside from rusting. Drill holes in the doors, rockers, and tailgate and spray away. Hit everything but the brakes.

"Fluid Film" is overpriced and comes off too easily.

Have heard of using chainsaw bar and chain oil with wax in it, but never tried it.

Post a reply to: Truck rust protection and repair. 2003 Silverado.