GM Chevrolet Trucks and rust

Skylar

Super Moderator
Staff member
guys time to step up to the big leagues and stop buying these trucks made in usa. I got a 2014 mercedes benz and not a speck of rust on it.

A 2014 Benz is more than I make in a year, so, no thanks! I'll keep my 2001 Dodge 2500 extended cab 4x4 5.9 gas hog 124,000 mile with a little rust showing on the doors, with no payment.
 

polarisrider1

New member
A 2014 Benz is more than I make in a year, so, no thanks! I'll keep my 2001 Dodge 2500 extended cab 4x4 5.9 gas hog 124,000 mile with a little rust showing on the doors, with no payment.

My wife's 01 Benz is a rust bucket. My 07 Dodge rear bumper is a rusty mess. The truck has 184,000 miles on it. I suspect all the caustic mortars constantly spilled on it doesn't help. Hate to admit but the 1/2 ton Dodge stands up to any of the 3/4 ton Chevys in the fleet. It owes me nothing and it's paid for.
 

1fujifilm

Well-known member
Hello,
I feel your pain.
I buy a new truck every winter for my business and currently have a 2014 Chev Silverado 1500 4x4 double cab with 3,700 miles. Here are my observations for taking care of new Chev trucks;
1. Clay entire vehicle and wax once a year with Meguiers cleaning wax. This must be done immediately once new as the truck WILL have rail dust that will convert to real rust if left unchecked.
2. Every car wash MUST include some detailing. In the summer it is a full detail, in the winter it is a partial as it is cold.
3. I MUST attend to both bumpers after EVERY car wash as they show rust spots after each wash in the winter.
4. Wash the truck once every 2-3 weeks in the winter. This is a full service wash where the wash includes a wipe down to get off the film.

If you do all this, things will go well. If you don't things ill rust. By the way, the rail dust seems to come back even if you keep up with it and the dealer says it is the rail shipping companies fault not theirs.

I keep buying Chevs though, Frank
 

indy_500

Well-known member
Wash extensively clay bar twice a year wax a half dozen times a year. Use oil preferably amsoil metal protector and pop the plugs on your inner rockers drench them. Coat the outside also.
 

xcsp

Member
1fujifilm, how do the frames on the trucks look after a year? That wax coating GM uses sure doesn't seem to last too long. Seen new trucks on lots with rusting frames.

Not sure where you live or what the trucks are used for but with my truck, personal use only, I've been able to use the detailing clay once a year (in the Spring) or as needed but lately only once a year and wax once or twice a year, no issues with the chrome bumpers and "rail dust" through the winter.

(Truck sets outside all year, still looks great for a 9-yr.old truck)

White vehicles seem to show more contaminants on the paint requiring more attention from what I've seen.
 

catalac

Active member
Wash extensively clay bar twice a year wax a half dozen times a year. Use oil preferably amsoil metal protector and pop the plugs on your inner rockers drench them. Coat the outside also.
Who has time for all that?
Oh yea, your not married with kids...
 

Swampy

Member
I have a 04' GMC. I wash it whenever I see excessive dirt or whenever it warms up enough in the winter. Minor rust but love the truck. I love all these posts about taking care of your stuff!! Rock on!!
 

timo

Well-known member
just washed and waxed the silverado on Saturday and the wife's car today.
detailed everything, armor all'd tires and black plastic, windex windows, waxed all chrome.
should be good for a while as the 7 day forecast calls for a slight chance of flurries on the 7th day.
stupid winter...
 

ezra

Well-known member
Wash extensively clay bar twice a year wax a half dozen times a year. Use oil preferably amsoil metal protector and pop the plugs on your inner rockers drench them. Coat the outside also.
screw all that! drive it for 3 yrs and trade it in for a new one.
and when u buy make sure free washes are included so that 1 time every 2 mo u are feeling ambitious u can drive it through.
 

ezra

Well-known member
A 2014 Benz is more than I make in a year, so, no thanks! I'll keep my 2001 Dodge 2500 extended cab 4x4 5.9 gas hog 124,000 mile with a little rust showing on the doors, with no payment.

**** the cost of a benz is just the start.
$90 wipe blades
the 'A' service is not bad but the 'B' I just had to slide the card for stung a bit.
they did let the wife roll out in a S class loaner for the day. of course she thought she needed one of those. NOT going to happen sweet ars ride though.
 

Hoosier

Well-known member
Wash extensively clay bar twice a year wax a half dozen times a year. Use oil preferably amsoil metal protector and pop the plugs on your inner rockers drench them. Coat the outside also.

Don't you sell your trucks about once every six months?
 

ezra

Well-known member
he likes to keep the arm in shape with the wax on wax off motion.
cant always find a farmers daughter to occupy that bench seat
 

yoopermike

New member
My brother is in the natural gas pipeline industry, and is one step away from becoming a corrosion specialist. He was at a corrosion conference a few years ago, and got to rub elbows with some guys that work in the BIG 3 arena. They told him that they design their paints and other surface applications to last a maximum of 5 years. So there you go...GM, Ford, Dodge...all expect their vehicles to go 5 years and after that, their recommendation was to get rid of it.
 
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