Fluid film rust prevention long term

DieselDorf · 07-03-2022, 07:19 AM

So after 6 years fluid film has managed to keep almost all the rust off the bottom of my vehicle. Most cars this age are covered with rust in Michigan and only a few years away from rust showing on the body. Protect your ride friends!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sra4HOjMbE

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chrisd87 · 07-05-2022, 08:37 AM

Cool video, I swear by fluid film for my daily driver, fleet of equipment and touch ups on my fun cars. I go through a 12 pack of cans every month.

car_freak85 · 09-19-2022, 12:09 PM

I recently filled my bugeye's underbody with 3M Cavity Wax+, but won't have a good idea how well it holds up until after winter. Seems much more sticky and wax-like than Fluid Film I've used in the past, which seems to stay "wet" in perpetuity.

GoFrogs · 09-21-2022, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselDorf

So after 6 years fluid film has managed to keep almost all the rust off the bottom of my vehicle. Most cars this age are covered with rust in Michigan and only a few years away from rust showing on the body. Protect your ride friends!

I know it will cost more for the manufacturer, but I think every vehicle needs to have the underside (to include the wheel wells) with additional layer of tough paint, like a bed-liner material to thwart under-body rust.

Fluid film is great stuff and only a bit messy right after application.

I should probably get some for my daily as ODOT (ohio) loves their salt.

JoRo88 · 09-23-2022, 10:11 AM

Any idea if this ends up leaving any residue when its particularly hot out? I'm wondering if I'd end up getting any drips or runoff on my driveway where the car is usually parked.

cdska · 09-23-2022, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoRo88

Any idea if this ends up leaving any residue when its particularly hot out? I'm wondering if I'd end up getting any drips or runoff on my driveway where the car is usually parked.

It's liquidy when sprayed, but becomes tacky after it's laid out. It washes away with water in any case

SVX WRX · 01-01-2023, 08:04 AM

i've been using Fluid Film and Cyclo Liqui-Shield for years with great results, but recently learned about Blaster Surface Shield (from the makers of PB Blaster).

is supposedly better in the fact that it bonds to the metal and won't be removed by a pressure washer. also says lasts two years, although i would still probably treat my cars every year. will give it a try after my current supply of FF and CLS is used up.

leftfootbrake · 09-05-2023, 07:24 PM

There are many brands and even types of corrosion inhibitors. CRC makes many different versions. I've started obsessing over because even well protected cars from factory with decades of road salt become susceptible to rusting in certain places. And couldn't believe how much ("surface"?) rust on frame/ suspension components on friends' new Jeep and 4runner after only a winter or two!

Since it is a little newer to me, do not have real long term data but does seem like thicker lanolin based is better bc more tacky/ sticky but wonder if would pick up more debris in off road situations.

dogelorde · 06-06-2024, 12:08 PM

Anyone have recent input on if fluid film is still the way to go or is there anything better out there now? Looking to do some coating this fall.

bo2o · 06-13-2024, 09:30 AM

Fluid Film is definitely the way to go since it's safe and eco-friendly plus, it creeps into all those nooks and crannies where rust likes to hide. I personally haven't heard of anything better until now

cmiovino · 06-13-2024, 09:33 PM

I've been using Fluid Film on both my 2004 WRX and 2017 BRZ. WRX is more of the winter / all season car and the BRZ is spring/summer/fall only, but I plan on keeping it long term.

I've watched too many videos on what's "the best". Some stick a little better as shown in some tests on Youtube. IMO, pick one and just go with it. I can confirm the Fluid Film will wash away with time, but only in highly hit areas like the wheel wells. This certainly doesn't happen overnight, but after months you'll need to reapply. Certainly reapply once a year in the fall before winter. Might need a few touch ups in the spring or summer if you have a lot of rain.

My only semi-complain is on my 2004, it had what I presume is a factory black undercoating and the Fluid Film has made it mushy and come off if you rub it. My BRZ doesn't have any undercoating and didn't have any issues. Might also be because it's 20 year old undercoating too.

GoFrogs · 02-28-2025, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogelorde

Anyone have recent input on if fluid film is still the way to go or is there anything better out there now? Looking to do some coating this fall.

well, unbeknownst to me, there is also "black" tinted fluid film (with the black cap). I just bought the can on he self, I think with the white cap, and it is "oil" colored. I don't really care as it will live under the car in places I don't look.

I was going to shoot it up in the door drain holes too at various angles to thwart any damage standing water might do inside the door.

I don't think there is a bad way to go. Choose one (which ever is available and/or cheaper and/or on sale) and go to town.

MNSaabaru · 03-06-2025, 09:50 PM

I've used both the black tinted Fluid Film and the standard undyed, aside from color I haven't noticed any difference between the two. It's still great stuff and it's always my first recommendation for rust prevention.

lokerola · 06-13-2025, 07:36 PM

I've been hitting the underside of my 21 WRX with Fluid Film since new and it works great. I try to apply it once in the fall and once in the spring.

Lying on my back with the car on ramps and Fluid Film flying all over the place isn't my favorite activity, but better safe than sorry!

walkphotograph · 06-16-2025, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselDorf

So after 6 years fluid film has managed to keep almost all the rust off the bottom of my vehicle. Most cars this age are covered with rust in Michigan and only a few years away from geometry dash rust showing on the body. Protect your ride friends!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sra4HOjMbE

good video. actually, i started using it on my car last year, and so far, no signs of rust even after a tough winter. It’s truly a game-changer for anyone trying to protect their vehicle!

This Is Not Mike · 06-19-2025, 06:19 PM

WoolWax is a Fluid Film alternative that's very popular in the Tacoma crowd as it's a bit thicker than FF.

That said, I've been using FF on my Tacomas since 2012 and have zero rust on the frame excluding the leading edge of the transmission crossmembers as they're constantly exposed to everything, and even that is where the paint has chipped.

If I drove my STI in the winter, it would be bathed in FF. It's an excellent product and I cannot recommend it enough. Application day is my least favorite day of the year, certainly.

07-03-2022, 07:19 AM	#1
DieselDorf Scooby Specialist Member#: 454773 Join Date: Sep 2016 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Traverse City, MI Vehicle: 2012 Impreza Sport Pearl White	Fluid film rust prevention long term So after 6 years fluid film has managed to keep almost all the rust off the bottom of my vehicle. Most cars this age are covered with rust in Michigan and only a few years away from rust showing on the body. Protect your ride friends! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sra4HOjMbE * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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07-05-2022, 08:37 AM	#2
chrisd87 Scooby Newbie Member#: 344446 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Quebec Vehicle: 2012 00 GC8, 02 S202	Cool video, I swear by fluid film for my daily driver, fleet of equipment and touch ups on my fun cars. I go through a 12 pack of cans every month.

09-19-2022, 12:09 PM	#3
car_freak85 Scooby Specialist Member#: 13530 Join Date: Dec 2001 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Cascadia Vehicle: EA63 , EA81T, EJ20G, EJ205	I recently filled my bugeye's underbody with 3M Cavity Wax+, but won't have a good idea how well it holds up until after winter. Seems much more sticky and wax-like than Fluid Film I've used in the past, which seems to stay "wet" in perpetuity.

09-23-2022, 10:11 AM	#5
JoRo88 Scooby Newbie Member#: 531474 Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: DC Area Vehicle: 2007 Forester 2.5 XT OBP	Any idea if this ends up leaving any residue when its particularly hot out? I'm wondering if I'd end up getting any drips or runoff on my driveway where the car is usually parked.

01-01-2023, 08:04 AM	#7
SVX WRX Scooby Newbie Member#: 26358 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Da Burgh Vehicle: 2022 Stinger GT2	i've been using Fluid Film and Cyclo Liqui-Shield for years with great results, but recently learned about Blaster Surface Shield (from the makers of PB Blaster). is supposedly better in the fact that it bonds to the metal and won't be removed by a pressure washer. also says lasts two years, although i would still probably treat my cars every year. will give it a try after my current supply of FF and CLS is used up.

09-05-2023, 07:24 PM	#8
leftfootbrake Scooby Newbie Member#: 535365 Join Date: Aug 2023	There are many brands and even types of corrosion inhibitors. CRC makes many different versions. I've started obsessing over because even well protected cars from factory with decades of road salt become susceptible to rusting in certain places. And couldn't believe how much ("surface"?) rust on frame/ suspension components on friends' new Jeep and 4runner after only a winter or two! Since it is a little newer to me, do not have real long term data but does seem like thicker lanolin based is better bc more tacky/ sticky but wonder if would pick up more debris in off road situations.

06-06-2024, 12:08 PM	#9
dogelorde Scooby Newbie Member#: 538214 Join Date: Jun 2024	Anyone have recent input on if fluid film is still the way to go or is there anything better out there now? Looking to do some coating this fall.

06-13-2024, 09:30 AM	#10
bo2o * Banned * Member#: 167238 Join Date: Dec 2007	Fluid Film is definitely the way to go since it's safe and eco-friendly plus, it creeps into all those nooks and crannies where rust likes to hide. I personally haven't heard of anything better until now

06-13-2024, 09:33 PM	#11
cmiovino Scooby Guru Member#: 134005 Join Date: Dec 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Pittsburgh, PA Vehicle: 2004 WRX Premium PSM	I've been using Fluid Film on both my 2004 WRX and 2017 BRZ. WRX is more of the winter / all season car and the BRZ is spring/summer/fall only, but I plan on keeping it long term. I've watched too many videos on what's "the best". Some stick a little better as shown in some tests on Youtube. IMO, pick one and just go with it. I can confirm the Fluid Film will wash away with time, but only in highly hit areas like the wheel wells. This certainly doesn't happen overnight, but after months you'll need to reapply. Certainly reapply once a year in the fall before winter. Might need a few touch ups in the spring or summer if you have a lot of rain. My only semi-complain is on my 2004, it had what I presume is a factory black undercoating and the Fluid Film has made it mushy and come off if you rub it. My BRZ doesn't have any undercoating and didn't have any issues. Might also be because it's 20 year old undercoating too.

03-06-2025, 09:50 PM	#13
MNSaabaru Scooby Newbie Member#: 540487 Join Date: Mar 2025 Vehicle: 2005 Saab 92x Aero Platinum Silver Metallic	I've used both the black tinted Fluid Film and the standard undyed, aside from color I haven't noticed any difference between the two. It's still great stuff and it's always my first recommendation for rust prevention.

06-13-2025, 07:36 PM	#14
lokerola Scooby Newbie Member#: 410811 Join Date: Jan 2015	I've been hitting the underside of my 21 WRX with Fluid Film since new and it works great. I try to apply it once in the fall and once in the spring. Lying on my back with the car on ramps and Fluid Film flying all over the place isn't my favorite activity, but better safe than sorry!

06-19-2025, 06:19 PM	#16
This Is Not Mike Scooby Specialist Member#: 131737 Join Date: Nov 2006 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Mass Vehicle: 2021 STI WRB 2016 Tacoma TRD OR	WoolWax is a Fluid Film alternative that's very popular in the Tacoma crowd as it's a bit thicker than FF. That said, I've been using FF on my Tacomas since 2012 and have zero rust on the frame excluding the leading edge of the transmission crossmembers as they're constantly exposed to everything, and even that is where the paint has chipped. If I drove my STI in the winter, it would be bathed in FF. It's an excellent product and I cannot recommend it enough. Application day is my least favorite day of the year, certainly.