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Rustproofing built for the salt belt

Washtenaw County spreads salt brine from November through March. It works its way into rockers, cab corners and frame rails, and by year five it shows. We stop it early with an annual creeping-oil treatment or a multi-year rubberized undercoating.

Book rustproofing
Before and after Fluid Film underbody protection on a truck axle and frame

The process

  1. 1. Underbody inspection

    We inspect the frame, floor pan, suspension, wheel wells, and existing rust. This helps us determine the vehicle's preparation needs and whether standard Fluid Film or premium Under Gone™ is the better option.

  2. 2. Air cleaning and light rust removal

    Compressed air is used to remove loose dirt and debris from the underbody. Light, loose surface rust is knocked back with a needle scaler where needed. Vehicles with heavier scaling may require the separate Frame Descaling Package.

  3. 3. Optional cavity protection

    Optional service

    When selected, application wands are inserted through existing access points to spray inside the doors, rocker panels, and tailgate. This protects hidden areas where moisture and corrosion can collect.

  4. 4. Underbody application

    Standard applications receive a creeping Fluid Film lanolin coating across the frame, floor pan, suspension components, wheel wells, seams, welds, and other rust-prone areas. Premium applications receive Under Gone™, a rust-converting calcium-sulfonate undercoating that forms a durable, self-healing protective barrier.

  5. 5. Final inspection

    We inspect the underbody for complete and even coverage, wipe away any visible overspray, and ensure factory drain holes remain clear. We'll also explain the recommended inspection and maintenance schedule.

Rust proofing services & pricing

Priced separately for cars and small SUVs versus trucks and vans.

Standard Fluid Film Rust Proofing — Initial Application

Lanolin-based Fluid Film coating that creeps into seams and shrugs off road salt.

Cars & small SUVs
Starting at $300
Trucks & vans
Starting at $350

Recommended before the winter season

  • Underbody inspection
  • Fluid Film lanolin-based rust-protection coating
  • Frame and underbody sprayed
  • Suspension components and wheel wells treated
  • Seams, crevices, and other rust-prone areas coated
  • Special attention given to areas exposed to Michigan road salt and moisture

Annual Rust-Proofing Maintenance

Yearly top-up that keeps the film intact where winter wears it thin.

Cars & small SUVs
Starting at $200
Trucks & vans
Starting at $250
  • Inspection of the previous coating
  • Reapplication in high-wear areas
  • Touch-ups where the coating has worn thin
  • Additional protection for areas exposed to road spray

Annual-maintenance pricing is available for returning customers whose vehicle was previously treated and returns within approximately 12–30 months. Vehicles requiring a complete reapplication may be charged the initial-application price.

Under Gone™ Rust-Converting Package

Under Gone™ is a premium rust-converting undercoating designed to stabilize existing surface rust before forming a durable, self-healing calcium-sulfonate barrier. It is not a paint and does not harden into a brittle coating.

Cars & small SUVs
Starting at $400
Trucks & vans
Starting at $500

Cars & small SUVs — $100 upgrade over standard Fluid Film

Trucks & vans — $150 upgrade over standard Fluid Film

  • Underbody inspection
  • Standard surface preparation
  • Salts Gone® rinse to remove salt and soluble chloride residue
  • Underbody allowed to dry before application
  • Under Gone™ rust-converting undercoating applied
  • Calcium-sulfonate protective barrier
  • Protection against salt, brine, moisture, and future corrosion
  • Annual inspection recommended with touch-ups performed as needed

Under Gone™ replaces the standard Fluid Film underbody coating and is not applied on top of Fluid Film. Vehicles with loose or heavily flaking rust may also require the Frame Descaling Package.

Frame Descaling Package

Optional service

Mechanical prep that knocks loose scale off before any coating goes on.

Cars & small SUVs
Starting at an additional $100
Trucks & vans
Starting at an additional $150
  • Mechanical removal of loose and flaking surface rust
  • Cleaning of scaled frame and underbody areas
  • Preparation of the metal before Fluid Film or Under Gone™ is applied
  • Improved coating contact with the existing frame

Frame descaling removes loose and flaking surface rust but is not complete rust removal, frame restoration, or structural repair. Heavily scaled or structurally compromised frames may require a custom quote or may not qualify for treatment.

Inside-Door and Body-Cavity Protection

Optional service

Doors, rockers and tailgate — rust starts inside the panels you can't see.

Doors, rockers and tailgate · Add $50

  • Rust protection sprayed inside door cavities
  • Rocker-panel cavities treated
  • Tailgate cavity treated when applicable
  • Existing factory access points used whenever possible

Under Gone™ + Frame Descaling

Estimated totals when both are selected together.

Cars & small SUVs
Starting at $500
Trucks & vans
Starting at $650

All prices are starting prices and may vary depending on vehicle size, condition, existing rust, and the amount of preparation required. Large vans, lifted trucks, dually trucks, commercial vehicles, and heavily rusted frames require a custom quote.

Schedule rust protectionText us for a rust-proofing quote

Questions

How often should I rustproof?
Oil-based rustproofing is an annual service. Book in September or October, before Michigan road crews start brining.
Is it worth it on a newer vehicle?
Yes — the best time is year one, before salt has had a chance to start pitting seams and fasteners. Protection is far cheaper than rocker panel replacement.
Will it drip on my driveway?
Oil-based coatings can weep slightly for 24–48 hours. We recommend parking off the driveway or on cardboard for the first two days.
Rustproofing or undercoating?
Rustproofing is a thin, creeping oil that reaches into seams and needs annual reapplication. Undercoating is a thick rubberized barrier that lasts years and suits trucks and work vehicles. We often do both.