Axle rust?

[P0H0]

Okay, I glanced under the truck over the right rear tire and can see some rust on the front of the rear axle.

I am scheduled to take it to Line-X — across the street from the dealership — on Monday, January 17th after Ford does my driveshaft recall work.

Line-X is applying a product called Valugard as an under carriage protectant against rust for $500. They are going to apply a chemical rust converter over the rusty axle areas prior to treatment. The service includes a fogging type application inside the door panels to protect from rust as well.

https://www.x-tremefinishes.com/valugard

I was told the treatment is guaranteed for 8 years. Anybody have any experience with this?

ValuGard vs. Rust Oleum vs. POS-15

I was warned by a very good friend that the spray underbody treatments should be avoided as they crack and allow moisture up underneath and can actually increase corrosion. The ValuGard site states that it won’t do this and requires only one application rather than yearly.

Note: I am not sure if Rust Oleum or POS-15 is better for the do it yourself option.

Instead it was recommended to me to use POS-15 (Paint Over Rust) on the axle. Here is the product page, but I am sure you can find it on amazon and other places:

RUST PREVENTION PRODUCTS

Protect your metal surfaces with top-tier rust prevention products. These rust stopping products offer long-lasting defense against rust and weather damage.

por15.com

Caution: I was told that this stuff adheres to anything, including skin — you are not going to be able to get the stuff off your hands — so use latex gloves!

I was also told that if I am dealing with just surface rust, the prep will be minimal. Just ensure the axle is clean and dry, and paint right over everything. I have only seen this available in a brush on application — I don’t know if they sell it in a spray can….

I did find a review on amazon with a photo of an axle done — looks like he did a pretty good job.

Anybody with experience with ValuGard, Rust Oleum or POS-15?


I may just take the leap and stick with ValuGard as it will be applied to the wheel wells and entire underbody — they even fog in your doors…

 

[Mama Tried]

I'm interested in any advice/reviews on ValuGard as well- awaiting a quote from Line X currently...

And BTW- I picked mine up with 43 miles on it- had the same rust... first thing I looked at when I was walking around with the GM of the dealer- he looked and said that's a Ford issue. I looked at him funny- he said all the F-150's have it, like no big deal.... I've used Por-15 on an FJ40 I owned- that stuff is awesome. But my FJ40 was also 40 years old!!

 

[metallikatz3]

I noticed some rust on mine too which I swear wasn't there when I picked the truck up about 3 months ago.

I hit the rusty spots with some Rustoleum rust reformer and then will go over it with Fluid Film when I get a chance in the next few days. Hopefully that keeps things looking nice and rust free. The Fluidfilm does need to be done twice a year usually but it provides good protection without caking on a thick undercoating

 

[P0H0]

My I quote is $500 at Line-X for ValuGard and they want to keep the truck overnight after the treatment.

 

[wadewoody]

Bought mine on Saturday and it has rust on it already. 2022 model.

 

[three-zero-two]

Here’s my 2022 that has less than 300 miles on it. Pretty disappointing that there is this much rust.

 

[Pierless]

With that nice little $1k price bump this year, you'd think they could give this part a quick coating/once over before attaching and shipping... Save a little face.

 

[Cranbery]

With that nice little $1k price bump this year, you'd think they could give this part a quick coating/once over before attaching and shipping... Save a little face.

Right? Seems like a cheap solution. Especially after raping us of our LEDs everywhere.

 

[Tremhunter]

Has anybody gone to Line X or similar companies and had the undercoating done? If so did it cover axle rust? Pictures?

 

[Jstonk]

Has anybody gone to Line X or similar companies and had the undercoating done? If so did it cover axle rust? Pictures?

No it didn't just the underbody frame. For me anyways. I got it done before receiving the truck and didn't know about the axle issue then.

 

[Tremhunter]

Went to the Omaha Car show today. Had to look for axle rust on the tremor they were showing. Rear differential and axle all rust. LOL.

 

[High_Country]

I agree it looks bad, aesthetically. And I have used POR-15 and can HIGHLY recommend it. The POR stands for - wait for it - PAINT OVER RUST. I used it on my early bronco frame restoration and it’s awesome. They have both aerosol and brush on products.

Now that being said, I seem to recall it’s fairly common for differentials to be uncoated and expected to develop this oxidized patina. As a matter of fact I think on some very particular car restorations they TRY to duplicate this look. I’m not a materials scientist, but I’d suspect that layer of oxidation ends up protecting the rest of the material. Similar perhaps to the COR-10 metals used on building cladding, bridges, etc.

But again, I agree it doesn’t look pretty. It’s POR-15 for me if I decide to fix it.

 

[wadewoody]

Has anybody gone to Line X or similar companies and had the undercoating done? If so did it cover axle rust? Pictures?

I called my local Line X place and asked them about it. They don't do any kind of undercoating to the axle itself due to the amount of heat it generates.

 

[P0H0]

I was supposed to have the valugard undercoat done last Monday — it snowed…. I have rescheduled for Presidents’ Day.

Line-X is putting it on — I wasn’t told anything about it not being able to be applied to the axle. I’ll call and ask.

If that’s the case, I’ll have to use another product.

 

[jthomp343]

Thanks. Mine was a 10 hour drive so was able to do the flight and drive home in one day.
Getting all my accessories on!

Is that a 2” or 2.5” level? Looks good

 

[TxT]

Is that a 2” or 2.5” level? Looks good

Pro Comp 2.5"

 

[P0H0]

I was supposed to have the valugard undercoat done last Monday — it snowed…. I have rescheduled for Presidents’ Day.

Line-X is putting it on — I wasn’t told anything about it not being able to be applied to the axle. I’ll call and ask.

If that’s the case, I’ll have to use another product.

At Line-X getting the valugard undercoat treatment done. I grabbed some photos of it in the air getting the undercoat:

 

[Jtrem]

Any feedback on if the spray messes up the sensors Ford was saying would happen with this?

Keep hearing people say to avoid it?

 

[P0H0]

I don’t have an issue with sensors at this time. I haven’t heard anybody from Ford say to avoid this — there was a Raptor there also being done.

 

[Tremhunter]

Looks like they took care of any axle rust ,sprayed the differentials and sprayed the wheel wells. Plus warranty? No brainer if it doesn’t mess with sensors. Do they guarantee that also?