New Truck - A Few Questions

'03 Ram 5.9

'03 Ram 5.9

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I just bought a new truck (new to me 2016 Ram 1500). I tend to keep cars a long time. I traded in an 03 Ram. So I want to take care of things now that will pay dividends 10 years from now as the truck is still
The interior is leather, including the dash. I bought Griots 3 in 1 Leather. I think I read you really only want to use it monthly? Is there harm in using more? Is there another product I should consider to keep the leather in mint condition for the long term?
My bigger question.... here in the northeast we have the pleasure of dealing with cars that rot away due to the snow and all the chemicals our roads are treated with. Does anyone have a good process to fight body rot? I do spray oil products underneath to anything I can reach. Does anyone have a product they use to keep the underside clean? Do you go under and spray it down with a hose and air dry?
The only reason I gave up on my 03 was because I lost the body rot battle.

Todd
 
I grew up in Ohio and worked in the autobody business so I know a little about rust. In 1980 I packed it in and moved to Southern California where rust is not even a concern.

Although there are some steps that you can take (like your mentioned oil-spray) to slow the process, it's really a losing battle.

Personally, if I lived in an area such as you I would have a "beater" vehicle to drive through the winter months while my nice car sat in a garage. It's either that or else plan on a new car every few years.
 
I would say apply Fluid Film yearly in the Autumn and hope for the best. I put it on my truck a year ago and plan to do so again soon. I have had the truck for 2 winters in Massachusetts and the underside still looks pretty good. That was with one winter unprotected. With the Fluid Film on things tend to not stick to the frame as badly. I don't pressure wash it because I don't want to blast it off.

I also use Griot's Undercarriage Spray on the visible parts of the underside to keep them looking nice.
 
2black1s said:
Personally, if I lived in an area such as you I would have a "beater" vehicle to drive through the winter months while my nice car sat in a garage.

It's either that or else plan on a new car every few years.
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That's what I would recommend too...

I lived in Seaside, Oregon for about 7 years and so many daily drivers simply rotted away from rust.


If it's important to you then find an alternative.


:)
 
Mike Phillips said:
That's what I would recommend too...

I lived in Seaside, Oregon for about 7 years and so many daily drivers simply rotted away from rust.


If it's important to you then find an alternative.


:)
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Really I need t move to a better climate!
What about the interior leather? My concern is the leather n the dash drying out. What can I use and how often is too often to apply? I have Griots 3 in 1
 
'03 Ram 5.9 said:
Really I need t move to a better climate!
What about the interior leather? My concern is the leather n the dash drying out. What can I use and how often is too often to apply? I have Griots 3 in 1
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I really like the Wolfgang learner cleaner and conditioner. Two seperate products so a little more work but I really like the results. You may be able to get away with cleaning good and conditioning twice a year and use an AIO leather products in between, or if it doesn't get real dirty you may be able to wipe down with a very mild APC every month and reapply the conditioner and do the heavy cleaning and conditioning a couple times a year.

Someone on here actually made a device on here for cleaning the underbody out of PVC. It looked like a pretty effective device. I'll see if Incan find the thread. I'm from Michigan so I know your pain when it comes to rust. I was in the tire business and hated snow tire season. I moved to Texas in '84.
 
Don't they have undercarriage rust proofing where you live?
 
I would recommend applying a ceramic coating to the paint surface of your new truck. As far as your leather seats go I would give them a good cleaning first and then apply a leather conditioner. Apply the leather conditioner as often as possible. Good luck with your new truck. I have a 2013 Ram 1500 Express and I love the truck.

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Self service car washes, and very frequently. 2-4 times a month. Temperature permitting.

I bought gamma seals for my 5 gallon buckets. I fill them with warm water and bring them to the car wash and just use the car wash's pressure washer. The floor to our now closed self-service was heated that helped.

A truck is much easier to keep the frame/underbody/suspension clean due to ground clearance. I would start by spraying the underbody and spend a lot of time flushing out the salt and debris. I then sprayed the wheel wells, wheels, suspension and finally the paint.

One tip is to try and pick days where the roads are dry. Keeps the truck clean for one day at least.

Now that our self service car wash is closed. I use the touchless wash or drag the hose from the basement when the temps are in the mid to high 30's.

My 2006 Sienna has a very clean underbody for living through 11 Wisconsin winters. Zero rust under the doors or wheel wells. There is some surface rust on the frame, exhaust, and control arms/suspension.

IMHO it is just if not more important to keep the underbody clean in winter vs keeping paint clean.
 
Bobby B. said:
I would recommend applying a ceramic coating to the paint surface of your new truck. As far as your leather seats go I would give them a good cleaning first and then apply a leather conditioner. Apply the leather conditioner as often as possible. Good luck with your new truck. I have a 2013 Ram 1500 Express and I love the truck.

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I think your Ram body style is one of the best looking trucks of the last 20 years.

Blue or White would be my choice for color. I like the painted wheels, the chrome wheels aren't my style. Nice truck.
 
First, congrats on the new Ram. Great trucks. :)

And I second Fluid Film. It's a great product.

Another thing that I did on my 2012 Ram (bought new), was to apply Ospho to the undersides after they had formed a very light coat of rust. Ospho chemically changes rust into a hard, black, organic surface. After that, it's just spray it down, then Fluid film.

Nothing is perfect when dealing with winter salt, salt air, etc. But this has been the best combo of products to at least stave it off that I have found.

Good luck with your beautiful new truck. :D
 
Bobby B. said:
I would recommend applying a ceramic coating to the paint surface of your new truck. As far as your leather seats go I would give them a good cleaning first and then apply a leather conditioner. Apply the leather conditioner as often as possible. Good luck with your new truck. I have a 2013 Ram 1500 Express and I love the truck.





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Beautiful truck. I went with white as well. I was unsure at first but grew on me
 
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