Let's face it, us XJ owners have rigs that are 10 years or older. In that time, a lot can happen. One of the things we have to face sooner or later is RUST.



I'm starting to find tiny signs of surface rust on the bottoms of the rockers, pinch seams, and bottoms of the doors on both my XJs. (Yeah I know that's nothing compared to some of the Jeeps I've seen...But still.)

What can I do to kill this stuff off and make sure it never comes back?
I know I'll need to do a lot of wire wheeling and painting, but is there anything that will REALLY keep the rust away?

 

Short of replacing metal, there's really no way to eliminate it completely. There are products you can use to slow it down or maybe stop it from getting worse.

Lots of people swear by POR15. Used correctly, it's supposed to stop rust from progressing. I've read good and bad about it. I would suggest reading up on it and making your own decision.

Some old timers I've talked to use boiled linseed oil. One old body man I knew who drove an immaculate Chevy Blazer, told me that he would mix linseed oil and mineral spirits 50/50 and spray it everywhere he could get to-undercarriage, inside doors, into rocker panels, etc. It dries to a varnish-like consistency. It also stinks for a while after applied.

I've been using a product called Fluid Film. It comes in either aerosol cans or bulk. I spray it everywhere I can get to, It never dries so it does tend to attract dust and dirt but I figure that's better than rust. It also needs to be reapplied periodically. I usually apply in the fall before salt season starts. Fluid Film will stop rust. Google it and read up for yourself.

 

the linseed oil trick. i've heard people do that before. they swear by it. the artist (oil painters use linseed oil for the very same reason, mixed with the oil paint it dries slooooowly into a durable surface.)

 

It looks like I'm gonna try the linseed oil trick!

 

Interesting. Never heard of that trick. Will have to look more into it.

 

If you plan to use the linseed oil, make sure it's boiled linseed oil, not raw linseed oil. It should be easy to find at any paint store. It's a little messy and it stinks, but it will seal up rust very well.