Is Wax Frame Coating the Secret to Success for Chevy Trucks?
While Ford and Ram have moved on to E-Coating their frames, GM still waxes theirs. But is that really a bad thing?
In the never ending war of full-size pickups, manufacturers are always looking to gain an edge. Typically these advantages are sought out in areas like toughness, power, towing and hauling capability, comfort, and convenience features. We’ve seen more innovation in pickups than ever in recent years, and Chevy trucks have been right there at the forefront. But manufacturers must also manage the tremendous cost of engineering and innovation so that they can also compete on price.
Thus, cost-cutting methods have to be made somewhere. And one of those methods is called out rather loudly in this recent video from YouTuber (and Ford truck owner) Big Truck Big RV. The alleged issue revolves around the fact that Chevy trucks still utilized wax dipped frames to prevent corrosion. Despite existing in the truck world for decades, our host admits to being “shocked” to learn that GM still does this.
All truck frames must be coated to prevent corrosion, of course, as BTBRV explains. “The process of making a frame from raw steel generally involves using oils and other solvents in the frame to protect it against rust while it’s being produced. But after that, the frame is usually cleaned off and all the oils are removed.”
The difference here is that both Ford and Ram have moved on to E-Coating their respective frames instead of using the decades-old method of waxing them. “They dip it into a solution and then add an electrical charge to the frame,” BTBRV explains. “Which then bonds the metal to a protective barrier to prevent it from rusting. Or at least seriously slows down the process.”
Is Wax Frame Coating the Secret to Success for Chevy Trucks? continued…
