Rust Protection (Krown, Ziebart, Fluid Film)

[Groffer]

I'm looking into a few types of rust protection, I'm in upstate NY so the salt up here is pretty harsh on the frame and I've already got some surface rust on my 2021 1500.

I'm looking into three main options but leaning more towards Krown:

1. Ziebart
   1. Pros: Put it on once for $1k and it's covered for the vehicle life, possible warrantees, thick coating to protect the frame
   2. Cons: That same thick coating will rot the frame out, but I've heard examples where this holds up for 15 years and is pretty clean (not sure if it's just the appearance of clean since the coating turns into a black rubber material)
2. Krown
   1. Pros: Paid annually at $170 (smaller investment up front), thick/penetrating film so it forces the moisture out, stays on pretty well through the winter, may need touch-ups here and there.
   2. Cons: Can cause rubber seals to swell, really messy to work with (but this is probably with any rust protection)
3. Fluid Film
   1. Pros: less likely to cause damage to that rubber but still protects
   2. Cons: Doesn't penetrate like Krown, could wash off easier throughout the winter

Does anyone have experience with more than one or have some insight as to which one could be most beneficial? I'm more concerned about preventing rust, I don't mind working on it if it's messy.

Also, how do these hold up in car washes? How does the wiring harness hold up?

 

[vincentw56]

I'm looking into a few types of rust protection, I'm in upstate NY so the salt up here is pretty harsh on the frame and I've already got some surface rust on my 2021 1500.

I'm looking into three main options but leaning more towards Krown:

1. Ziebart
   1. Pros: Put it on once for $1k and it's covered for the vehicle life, possible warrantees, thick coating to protect the frame
   2. Cons: That same thick coating will rot the frame out, but I've heard examples where this holds up for 15 years and is pretty clean (not sure if it's just the appearance of clean since the coating turns into a black rubber material)
2. Krown
   1. Pros: Paid annually at $170 (smaller investment up front), thick/penetrating film so it forces the moisture out, stays on pretty well through the winter, may need touch-ups here and there.
   2. Cons: Can cause rubber seals to swell, really messy to work with (but this is probably with any rust protection)
3. Fluid Film
   1. Pros: less likely to cause damage to that rubber but still protects
   2. Cons: Doesn't penetrate like Krown, could wash off easier throughout the winter

Does anyone have experience with more than one or have some insight as to which one could be most beneficial? I'm more concerned about preventing rust, I don't mind working on it if it's messy.

Also, how do these hold up in car washes? How does the wiring harness hold up?

I have Ziebart and have to go in every year for a maintenance checkup. I see zero rust on the underside of the truck.

 

[mplaramie]

I live in Upstate NY as well and used both Zeibart and Krown. I like Krown vs Zeibart for rust proofing. Seen the Zeibart breakdown and the metal behind is a rusty mess. With Krown, it's only a mess for the first few days (drips). No rusting issues with Krown and nothing is hidden. Also like that it flows into areas that can trap moisture.

 

[W Six]

I've tried boiled linseed oil and it seems to work ok...I didn't get around to it this year, but there's still remnants from last year on the truck.

 

[MickeyRam]

Been using Krown for 3 years now.

 

[Phil187]

I’ve used fluid film on many vehicles and love it. I just use the aerosol cans of it from amazon. On my 21 ram I used fluid film black and it looks really nice. It’s my first time using the black so we will see how it holds up to this winter

 

[Gren71]

ive used fluid film on travel trailers and trucks for years. it works for me but I am in DE and we dont salt our roads nearly as much as the more northern states. So it may be that it works well enough for us but wont perform as well for say mid and north PA or NY

 

[202snowman]

Western NY here, and I just had my 2025 done with Waxoyl

 

[cerbo]

Rust Cop Shop, Dolgevile NY. Used them once and then moved to the warm south. They did great work and you can watch them apply the product.

 

[Chris3058]

I'm looking into a few types of rust protection, I'm in upstate NY so the salt up here is pretty harsh on the frame and I've already got some surface rust on my 2021 1500.

I'm looking into three main options but leaning more towards Krown:

1. Ziebart
   1. Pros: Put it on once for $1k and it's covered for the vehicle life, possible warrantees, thick coating to protect the frame
   2. Cons: That same thick coating will rot the frame out, but I've heard examples where this holds up for 15 years and is pretty clean (not sure if it's just the appearance of clean since the coating turns into a black rubber material)
2. Krown
   1. Pros: Paid annually at $170 (smaller investment up front), thick/penetrating film so it forces the moisture out, stays on pretty well through the winter, may need touch-ups here and there.
   2. Cons: Can cause rubber seals to swell, really messy to work with (but this is probably with any rust protection)
3. Fluid Film
   1. Pros: less likely to cause damage to that rubber but still protects
   2. Cons: Doesn't penetrate like Krown, could wash off easier throughout the winter

Does anyone have experience with more than one or have some insight as to which one could be most beneficial? I'm more concerned about preventing rust, I don't mind working on it if it's messy.

Also, how do these hold up in car washes? How does the wiring harness hold up?

Krown. Just tell them to avoid your hood seal. As per the swelling...my truck has zero rust after almost 5 years and I live in Central North Ontario - super salty here in winter. Get applied yearly and been using in since 1995 on vehicles. For reference the Army uses it on their vehicles now....

 

[Insanity]

A product a friend of mine was using on his and others vehicles.

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