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Chevrolet Express
Platform: GMT Van

Bought a beautiful Express conversion van, but realized it has some rust underneath

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Old Mar 11, 2020 | 9:06 PM
  #11  
mountainmanjoe's Avatar
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Be careful what you put on the frame. Some coatings make things worse.

I thought Arizona cars stayed bone dry and lasted forever?
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Old Mar 12, 2020 | 11:16 AM
  #12  
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I agree with the post above. Don't waste you time/money trying to treat surface rust on the frame members, but DO take the time to thoroughly inspect all the brake hard lines for rust and eliminate any rust if found.
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Old Mar 12, 2020 | 11:46 AM
  #13  
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Yep coating is a waste of money IMO.
The only thing I would do is to take a pressure washer if you have one and rinse underneath to remove dirt and mud as much as you can. This stuff trap moisture and help rust to go further.
If there is no humidity then the rust stop.
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Old Mar 18, 2020 | 4:10 PM
  #14  
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I had my mechanic at work take a quick look at the van and he liked it. He didn't seem too concerned about the rust underneath. Of course I'll have him put the van on the rack and go over it in more detail, checking out the brake lines and everything else.

I still eventually want to clean up all the frame rust with a brush, and spray it with a heavy duty black lacquer, it will look so nice then. Maybe I'll get to that, maybe I won't bother.

My next vehicle is going to be BRAND NEW. I'm in my mid 40's and have never had a new vehicle before. Maybe a Chevy Colorado with a highrise topper. I'm planning to go back into truck driving where I can make better money. I still have my CDL. Of course everything is on hold right now with this coronavirus stuff.
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Old Mar 18, 2020 | 4:17 PM
  #15  
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in my opinion, new vehicles are a terrible use of money because they devalue so quickly. I would rather save my money for retirement.
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Old May 5, 2020 | 3:42 PM
  #16  
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Congrats on the new van; it looks great, including the undercarriage.

For what it's worth, here's my "technique" for treating the undercarriage. I give the undercarriage a good cleaning with a pressure washer, let it dry, then get under there and go crazy with few cans of cheap gloss black spray paint. I do this maybe every year or so. I have been doing this for years and it is an inexpensive way to keep the frame, wheel wells, and other areas prone rust, looking good and eliminating (or at least minimizing) rust.
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Old May 27, 2020 | 1:31 AM
  #17  
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I'm not sure if I want to laugh or cry about it, but when I scrolled down to the pictures of the "rust problem" I thought to myself that that's nothing compared to how cars look up here in maryland

dang winter, dang salt on the road, dang weather, it's not good for ya cars!
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Old Dec 15, 2020 | 4:03 PM
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dripless oil spray is the best for creeping into areas that are hard to get at and especially brake,fuel and cooler lines. I've been spraying my vehicles for 50 years with one kind of oil or another and it prevents areas that are already rusting from progressing, cheap and works. just need a place to park while the excess falls to the ground.
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Old Dec 15, 2020 | 6:41 PM
  #19  
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I just moved up here to Ohio after growing up in the rust-free south. My van doesn't have a speck of rust on it. The vehicles up here are rough.. it pains me to see the salt destroying these cars. I get a wash, wax, and undercarriage blast every time we get snow/rain and salt. Your van is fine, zero concerns with rust. You have a few minor spots but honestly nothing compared to the rust carnage up here. Looks like you got a sweet van, best of luck with it!
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Old Dec 16, 2020 | 12:03 AM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by Scottie409
dripless oil spray is the best for creeping into areas that are hard to get at and especially brake,fuel and cooler lines. I've been spraying my vehicles for 50 years with one kind of oil or another and it prevents areas that are already rusting from progressing, cheap and works. just need a place to park while the excess falls to the ground.
is it just some general purpose oil, or something designed for this application? What do you spray it with?
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