Frame Coating

e_schott · November 3, 2018

So I have like 9500 miles on my 18, I was pressure washing some mud out of the wheel wells and frame today when I noticed that I have a spot a little larger than 2 golf balls that is down to bare metal on the frame near the left front tire. Truck leaves the pavement quite a bit so I assume something rubbed into it. I did notice checking it out that literally across the entire frame, the coating can be scraped down to bare metal with very little pressure from a fingernail or even just rubbed off with a finger. I think I have heard some people talking about this before, but I am wondering now as soft as this is if it is just my truck or thats the way they all are. I checked 3 or 4 different spots and I can nick it down to metal super, super easily. The big spot I am just going to buzz down with a die grinder and hit it with some undercoat next time I do an oil change, but kinda concerning that the coating brushes off that easy. Is this just how they are?

jhplak325 · November 3, 2018

That is how they all are. It is a wax coating.

Edited November 3, 2018 by jhplak325

e_schott · November 3, 2018

Just now, jhplak325 said:

That is how they all are. It is a wax coating.

Gotcha, figured as much just wanted to see. Kind of sad the quality of it. My old 03 with a wax coating was very clean when I got rid of it with over 200k on it. The rockers, cab corners, rear wheel arches were gone in that thing but the frame looked pretty good. Much thicker coating on the old trucks. Guess I'll keep a can or two of undercoat handy and just touch it up during services.

C/K Man · November 3, 2018

The original coating is available in aerosol cans:

https://www.daubertchemical.com/store/product-list/corrosion-prevention/nox-rust-x-121b

It's really pretty good stuff if it stays on, GM has had issues in the past with it not adhering. Have to say I see less frame corrosion on GM trucks than Fords. It seems to harden a bit over time.

Edited November 3, 2018 by C/K Man

300 Blackout · November 3, 2018

It seems to harden a bit over time.

This is the big problem with the wax. If it’s still soft and can be reapplied before corrosion sets in, no biggie. The big problem is when it dries enough to separate from contact with the metal but doesn’t necessarily fall off the truck. When this happens it hides and traps water, salt, etc... and the frame rusts without you knowing it.

I used a grinder with wire brush to get rid of some of my rust. The wax just smears all over the place unless you dissolve it. Toluene will dissolve it quickly.

Dissolve the wax in the area of the rust, fix the rust spot however you choose then re-coat with wax if you like it. It’s not a bad product as far as a self healing undercoating for typical road debris (small rocks, etc...) if you maintain it and if it doesn’t dry out.

1SLOW1500 · November 3, 2018

Best would be a oil or grease next is wax.

In my professional option the very best is Russian! Cosmoline If whole countries trust it to protect the weapons of their country it is go enough for me. One of my hobbies was aks and ak builds Insane collectible. I am still trying to get it of some small parts.

Stronger800 · November 5, 2018

Do I get the daubert chemical stuff or Cosmoline black? Price is the same. My '18 was built a month ago, I figure now is the time to give it some extra protection. I tried to research the Daubert stuff and can't see any link where it actually claims to be the stuff GM uses. Is that referenced someplace? If it definitely is, I'll get that, with the idea being that it should bond with the fresh stuff in the truck better than the Cosmoline. I think. Thank you

Edited November 7, 2018 by Stronger800

C/K Man · November 5, 2018

Nox-Rust was identified in a TSB covering the issue:

https://gm.oemdtc.com/3827/wax-coating-on-frame-peeling-metal-shows-corrosionrusting-2011-2016-cadillac-chevrolet-gmc

Stronger800 · November 6, 2018

Thank you

captainzombie · November 6, 2018

I was actually thinking of taking my 18 to this place called Ziebart in my area where they do the undercoating protection. They had quoted me around $350 since I don’t have the time to do it myself. After seeing some of the pics on these forums, some of 2 year old trucks look like they’ve been on the road for 15-20 yrs.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

https://www.ziebart.com/auto-care-services/vehicle-protection/undercoating

crepitus · November 6, 2018

10 minutes ago, captainzombie said:

I was actually thinking of taking my 18 to this place called Ziebart in my area where they do the undercoating protection. They had quoted me around $350 since I don’t have the time to do it myself. After seeing some of the pics on these forums, some of 2 year old trucks look like they’ve been on the road for 15-20 yrs.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

https://www.ziebart.com/auto-care-services/vehicle-protection/undercoating

Had my 08 done with this stuff. It wont stick to the way and runs. Pretty much useless and ugly.

captainzombie · November 6, 2018

3 minutes ago, crepitus said:

Had my 08 done with this stuff. It wont stick to the way and runs. Pretty much useless and ugly.

Thanks for your experience. Any reputable places to go to or does what the dealer offers decent?

aseibel · November 6, 2018

don't put too much time and energy into it without talking to your dealer first.

I took mine in right before the 36 month bumper to bumper warranty expired and showed them all the rust on my frame. They happily scraped it and reapplied the coating under warranty. I'm sure it will wear off again, but since I get another 3 years of coating at no cost, i'm happy.

300 Blackout · November 6, 2018

I was actually thinking of taking my 18 to this place called Ziebart in my area where they do the undercoating protection. They had quoted me around $350 since I don’t have the time to do it myself. After seeing some of the pics on these forums, some of 2 year old trucks look like they’ve been on the road for 15-20 yrs.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

https://www.ziebart.com/auto-care-services/vehicle-protection/undercoating

I thought about doing this but decided it wasn’t the fix I was looking for since they don’t remove the frame wax. They power wash the underside and apply their coating over whatever is on your frame. I had the time to do it myself so I removed all the wax I could and treated the rust before painting it.

Stronger800 · November 7, 2018

Does anybody know a gm part number for the Daubert stuff? The part number listed earlier in the TSB from '16 is no longer current and my dealer's parts guy had No idea what I was talking about. Maybe I should try their body shop, but I'd hate to bother them to look too. (I know I can buy it online direct, but I have financial motivation to buy from dealer and would rather do that if possible). Thank you.

Edited November 7, 2018 by Stronger800