Anybody try Fluid Film? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

noahlambert · #1 02-26-2016, 08:13 PM

I'm interested in treating the underside of my car with a non-permanent rust prevention coating.

Does anyone have any experience with Fluid Film or any similar products?

www.fluid-film.com

leathermang · #2 02-26-2016, 09:12 PM

Fluid film has been in use by farmers for decades...
I have recommended it particularly for confined spaces on our cars many times in the archives.... my Ford/Holland Tractor dealer carries it...
It is made from Sheep.... so if you do not mind your car smelling like Sheep... use it..
just kidding... it is lanolin from sheep.. the oils that keep their fur in good shape...

oldmako · #3 02-26-2016, 10:09 PM

I love Fluid Film. Hard to find unless you select Amazon. I use it on my boat trailer (regular dunkings in salt water) among other things.

Hickster · #4 02-27-2016, 12:51 AM

It's great, I use it for battery terminals and waterproofing my work boots (as well as the typical rust proofing)

leathermang · #5 02-27-2016, 12:56 AM

Fluid Film® | Corrosion Preventative, Lubricant and Rust Inhibitor

One of the few things where if you get it on your skin... your skin is better for it... used in many hand cream products.... and for leather products...

BillGrissom · #6 02-27-2016, 01:14 AM

Another product is Rustoleum "Rust Inhibitor" spray can, avail at Home Depot, Ace, ... It has a picture of a shovel & ice skates on the can. It is petroleum distillates, so perhaps similar to cosmoline that is used to preserve military rifles. I use it on little parts like bolts & nuts that I don't have time to paint plus paint would scrape off.

noahlambert · #7 02-27-2016, 01:34 AM

At the very least, you have to admit the barrel looks cool.

leathermang · #8 02-27-2016, 01:37 AM

With that barrel you might have enough to share some with others.....

Mxfrank · #9 02-27-2016, 08:31 AM

Lear Chemical makes some stuff that's used as a cavity spray in aircraft, and is similar to this stuff. ACF-50 is the easiest to find, it's good for things like valve covers and oil pans in addition to cavities. The other is Corrosion Block, which is designed for parts exposed to salt.

Lear Chemical Research Corporation

Lear Chemical Research Corporation

A while back, I met an old-timer with a very original old truck. I asked him how he kept it in such good shape. His answer was that he put his used motor oil in a garden sprayer and sprayed the undercarriage and splash guards from time to time. Messy, but it worked.

97 SL320 · #10 02-27-2016, 09:21 AM

Top of drum looks like it is from the 40's , middle a 50's stock car and bottom from the 60's. Too bad many modern markings are nondescript and bland.

Lubriplate has a good black and silver drum.

I use "Rus-Fre" brand rust proofing. The yellow is thinner and remains soft making it good for areas not directly exposed to weather. The black will skin over but still remains soft making it good for exposed areas.

Be sure to use rust _proofing_ and not undercoating. Undercoating drys hard, cracks and allows water to seep in making ti worse that noting at all.

Panels rarely rust from the center, sharp edges are where it starts to rust so pay attention to those areas.

Before you apply your favorite coating, use Rustoleum first, this goes a long way towards stopping rust. I use light colors under the car as it brightens things up and makes impending rust more visible so it can be caught in time.

Graham · #11 02-27-2016, 09:47 AM

I have tried Fluid Film. Bought it at TSC (Tractor Supply Co) in Canada, but it is available in several places. Amongst other things, I used it to protect the interior of my 300D's rear trailing arms. (drilled small holes for nozzle). On outside, I used a POR-15 like paint product. Those spray products don't last long on exposed surfaces. NAPA sell guns and rust treatment

In Canada, most of us have our cars rustproofed on regular basis. Companies like Krown and Rust Check have their own proprietary products. They are likely quite similar to Fluid Film. I have used them all. There is no way to determine which ones work best. But all are better than nothing! Napa sells guns and rust proofing in bulk, but it is a messy job, especially without a hoist.

leathermang · #12 02-27-2016, 11:42 AM

As far as I know Fluid Film is just Lanolin.....
No petroleum products to out gas...
no toxic gases in a fire....
and no problem if you get it on your skin...
some of these other products have drawbacks compared to sheep's oil...
Certainly it will last longer in a confined space.... like the drain inside the back of the fender under the hood springs.... a place like that is not really accessible to pre painting... an omni directional spray head lowered into that cavity can make a lot of difference over the years.... how many times have you seen the rear of the quarter panel rusted through to the outside on these old MB's ? And the top drain behind the rear window on the side of the car ?

chrisgt · #13 02-27-2016, 11:47 AM

I buy the stuff by five gallon bucket, you can get it on sale sometimes for really good deals. I FF all my cars, throw it up on the lift and spray the snot out of it. I make sure to always get rain gutters, vents and that type of thing. In the mercedes I always do the drains under the hood. I tend to go a bit crazy with it because I have a lift and spray gun, but the stuff works great.

leathermang · #14 02-27-2016, 11:56 AM

A lift AND a spray gun.... and living where salt is used on the roads in the winter..
I would go a bit crazy in that situation too.... no telling how long your car will be on the road...

chrisgt · #15 02-27-2016, 12:40 PM

This is probably the only winter I'll be driving it. I got into a really bad accident (not my fault) in my Forester, and my old lifted subaru is so rusted out the rear subframe stays on the floor when I lift it, so...