Rust belt owners ... Woolwax or Fluid Film?

mjulezjr88 · Sep 3, 2025

I got a new to me 2004 2500hd from Nevada a couple months ago and I live about 25 miles west of Albany ...if you know, you know how they salt the hell out of everything here. I want to know my fellow northerners experience with these trucks and fluid film vs woolwax. I'm leaning more towards woolwax at this point.

Here's a pic of Barb for attention

99Sierra2500 · Sep 3, 2025

I use fluid film, seems to work ok, though it takes the OEM wax off the frame.

mjulezjr88 · Sep 3, 2025

99Sierra2500 said:
I use fluid film, seems to work ok, though it takes the OEM wax off the frame.

How often do you have to reapply? I plan on getting the unlimited car wash plan also and worry about fluid film getting worn off. I'll need truck most days for work. I spoke to a close family friend (bodywork guy) and he has a guy who does the woolwax treatment. I want to try it myself but only have access to a pit and not a lift. There's no wax left on the frame I assume from the sand over there in Nevada, the windshield is terribly sandblaster as well

99Sierra2500 · Sep 4, 2025

mjulezjr88 said:
How often do you have to reapply? I plan on getting the unlimited car wash plan also and worry about fluid film getting worn off. I'll need truck most days for work. I spoke to a close family friend (bodywork guy) and he has a guy who does the woolwax treatment. I want to try it myself but only have access to a pit and not a lift. There's no wax left on the frame I assume from the sand over there in Nevada, the windshield is terribly sandblaster as well

Mine is from California, up by Santa Rosa, and then Nevada, it still has a ton of wax. I chose fluid film because it flows, and says it needs only re-applied every two years. That said, wool wax is good too. If you know someone who does it, even better. I just bought a bunch of cans at Menards, a midwest lumber yard, that I had a rebate credit at. Laying underneath, I think some of the main places to spray are behind the bumpers, in the small openings in the rockers, and up in the wheel wells. Also per the owners manual, use a powerwasher and wash the underneath at least in the spring, if not more.

frumpster · Sep 8, 2025

How about Honey-Goo? I have been looking into it. Up in Canada salt is used a lot. It contains wax, and resists water spray. Does not have wool wax, but bees' wax.

xdmtoter · Oct 22, 2025

Here is an excellent video on the subject:

My 1995 Tahoe is an import from Nevada to Michigan. It's been through three Michigan winters and going into the fourth. I did a complete undercoating with Blaster Surface Shield the first year, and just touch up work the last two years. I'm about half way through a 5 gallon bucket of Surface Shield. It's as rust free as when I bought it.

I will be doing the same to the 2005 Escalade I just brought back from California.

I don't have a lift or pit or anything. I just put it up on jack stands, pull the tires and inner fender liners out, and start rolling around on the ground with the spray gun. I have to wear a mask and safety glasses, since I'm up close and personal doing it this way.