[nitejohn_2937]

I have a 1985 S10 4X4.
The PO had basically replaced every part that was possibly prone to rust with new GM parts.
This was back in 1999
I bought the truck in 2004, it had some surface rust on the chassis.

Well, I tried every "Rust proof" and "preventative" measure there is out there.
Yep, in 2021, the poor truck was riddled with rust. It was so bad, that I had to cut out the rear spring mounts and weld in new mounts/bushings. The bed was ready to fall of.
BTW, I only drove this truck in 2 salt storms (snow) in 15 years.
The salt was already doing it's dirty work.
I should have mentioned - the truck was originally from Wisconsin.


Moral of this???
You CAN'T STOP rust!!!!. If you drive in a salt environment, it will find a way to eat your vehicle.

All you are doing is extending the life of your panels/chassis 5 to 10 years if you go crazy with rust proofing.
I guess that may be worth it in the realm of a vehicle's life.

Living in central NY (serious rust belt) I see 5 year old vehicles with rust started.


OK, I once lived in Massachusetts, and skied in Vermont and New Hampshire almost every weekend.
They used to spray the underside of vehicles with used engine oil, inside panels and trunk. The oil leached out everywhere, but when spring time came, they would pressure wash and clean the panels.
Result? No rust.
I know this is not environmentally (friendly) good, but it was about the only method I ever saw that really worked.

I apologize for the tirade, but I have repaired so much rust and replaced so many panels in my life time, that anyone who says that they can stop or prevent rust is full of it.
Prove me wrong.

Rocker panels? ha ha ha

 

[FLORIDA BUTCH]

This is what they do on saltwater boats here in Florida. OSPHO and then Zinc Chromate. Then paint.
Zinc Chromate is what the Navy used on ships in WWII. Once OSPHO is applied, you can wait up to 6 months. It turns rust into primer. I use this system on iron furniture all the time. Make sure you wear goggles when you apply the OSPHO. It's an acid. Use a brush, and it doesn't take very much.

 

[PeteD]

This is what they do on saltwater boats here in Florida. OSPHO and then Zinc Chromate. Then paint.
Zinc Chromate is what the Navy used on ships in WWII. Once OSPHO is applied, you can wait up to 6 months. It turns rust into primer. I use this system on iron furniture all the time. Make sure you wear goggles when you apply the OSPHO. It's an acid. Use a brush, and it doesn't take very much.
View attachment 366315 View attachment 366316

Many Thanks for tip and specifics.

 

[301Larry]

Thank you. No suggestions? Anyone? Nobody uses rust inhibitors on their s10's? Alright well, Google here I come

Rustoleum. I think your question is a good one, although there are so many variables to give one answer.

 

[ZRuss2]

Super Truck
I personally like Jack Daniels for my rust inhibitor.

So you can forget it's there 🤣🤣 solid advice. Rust is inevitable but I like to think I can try and delay it as long as possible. I wasn't even on the market for an s10 but it came my way and I couldn't resist. It is a super truck, runs really good and only thing I've had to fix is a ball joint, steering stabilizer link and of course get the 4wd to work 🙄 I would rather have a built np231 with a manual shift than the vacuum push button crap.

 

[Innate]

you asked about where to get splash shields. And I said I make mine. I forgot to mention that I also use plastic cut out of molded bedliners. I ended up with some failed projects, and most of them come with the molded bedliners and I then have to figure out what to do with them. They are stiff and tough and can be heat gun molded, drilled and cut easily. For example I used a piece of the tailgate section to make a shield that covered the front of the inside of the rear bumper. Those bumpers collect mud from the rear tire spray and stay wet, and rot out. If you can make a shield to keep the mud from being packed in there, you'd have a good bumper for a lot longer. As stated numerous places above, rust control is not one answer at one time, but a bunch of different things that get done as needed, ongoing, or thinking how to not let it start. And it works mostly.

 

[SeaAggie]

Used Action Gel and their Clear Coat on my rusted out battery pan. Took a bit of work to get through the worst of the rust pits but does the job. Also, used the Action Rust Bucket powder as a bath for rusted tools.
US Sales: Rust Removal | United States | Www.actioncorrosionsales.com

Here's the video that turned me on to their products...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxyJaH1z0xA.

 

[crazy_ate]

Used Action Gel and their Clear Coat on my rusted out battery pan. Took a bit of work to get through the worst of the rust pits but does the job. Also, used the Action Rust Bucket powder as a bath for rusted tools.
US Sales: Rust Removal | United States | Www.actioncorrosionsales.com

Here's the video that turned me on to their products...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxyJaH1z0xA.

For rusted tools...and nut & bolts...throw them in a container filled with distilled white vinegar and come back in 1-2 weeks. The results are pretty amazing. Non toxic and cheap.

 

[ZRuss2]

I love the fact that these responses gives me a multitude of rust preventative techniques that can be applied to any vehicle. My wife drives a 2012 Acura MDX and I've got an 89 Ford riddled with rust. Needless to say I have an abundance of knowledge from all the comments and messages. Thank you guys for sharing and I'm going to try this stuff and see what works. Her mdx might get sold in favor of a 99-2007 Chevy suburban or GMC. I'm a Ford enthusiast but favor gm and ls motors after some research, I wonder why 😂💪