Bratmobile Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 I've got an 86' Brat that was Florida owned and driven most of it's life. Now that I own it and drive in Maryland, I'm nervous that the road salts are going to start eating it alive. I get a lot of compliments on it's condition~ no rust at all! Just want to keep it that way. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivans imports Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Someone said fluid film coating helps best is to look at a members car that's rusty so you know all the spots to treat and protect and is worth it to pull some of the plastics to get to the hard to see spots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratman977 Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 #1 is to keep it clean, especially the underside. I even open the doors and wash inside the doors and rockers when at the carwash. I'm using fluid film it seems to be working. You need to get the inside of the rockers, doors, fenders with the fluid film. My wagon had access holes drilled into it all over the place to spray oil. I just stick my fluid film gun up to the holes and fumigate the crap out of the insides until I see it dripping out. It does need touched up a few times through salt season. The wheel wells I touch up everytime I wash it. I just spray the gun in there real quick. I use about a gallon a year. http://www.kellsportproducts.com/fluidfilmkits.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1982gl4 Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 I've been using fluid film for 3 years. It seems to working well. I try to keep my car clean, but that's super hard where I live this time of year. If you can avoid driving it after a storm for a couple days that will help. Going around and touching up rust spots every year will help it last a lot longer. if you drive your old subaru in the salt it will eventually rust. That's why I have a legacy to suck up the salt. The best rust protection is a winter beater.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Idasho Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Keep it clean, and allow it to dry 100% often. I drive my super clean '84 GL through north Idaho winters, but I also frequent the car wash every other week, and allow it to sleep in the garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odie Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 if your brat is really really nice I would suggest getting a winter beater...keep your pride and joy garaged during salt season... nice color combo too...original? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bratmobile Posted January 7, 2014 Author Share Posted January 7, 2014 Thanks for all the suggestions~ Fluid Film it is, although it sounds eerily ambiguous. The guy behind the counter will know what I'm talking about, right? Anyway~ I was hoping there would be a product that folks would recommend. I'll give it a rinse and dry, and try the Fluid film soon. Color combo~not original. Does make it easy to find in a parking lot. Actually planning on getting a full set of White Brat Vinyl Decals: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Full-Set-of-Subaru-Brat-Vinyl-Decal-Stripes-/140718438794?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20c378f98a&vxp=mtr Would like it to look a little more authentic. ~Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 My 89 Justy gets put away the first time the road salt comes out. He willcome out if it has rained enough to wash away the road salt, otherwise he doesnt come out till the last snows of march. Undercarriage car washes are your friends. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rust Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 (edited) and exhaust? how do we prep that? i got a rust free XT6 from CA i'd like to keep the exhaust in decent shape. i can't believe how clean it is. and i have an exhaust system for my 2002 OBW i got from CO i'd like to keep clean that's already got surface rust after one winter. Edited January 7, 2014 by grossgary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Exhaust is really tough to protect as they rot from the inside out. In the Justy the rear muffler (only muffler) is sacrificed to the rust gods to save the rest of the car. Best way to do it if you drive in winter is make sure the trips are not short to allow everything to warm up and reduce condensation. The cat is fine as that gets hot quickly. Maybe the SUbaru automatic anti corrosion system? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 And always use quality pipes. An Xt6 from CA, guess i need to start hating you again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Exhaust is really tough to protect as they rot from the inside out. In the Justy the rear muffler (only muffler) is sacrificed to the rust gods to save the rest of the car. Best way to do it if you drive in winter is make sure the trips are not short to allow everything to warm up and reduce condensation. The cat is fine as that gets hot quickly. Maybe the SUbaru automatic anti corrosion system? rusts from the inside - from salt? western exhausts hold up much better than out here, i thought it was because of salt again? And always use quality pipes. An Xt6 from CA, guess i need to start hating you again Great, twice the coal for me!! because you don't like XT6's, CA, or me? lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 NO. From condenstaion. The water sits inside of the muffler and it rusts. Exhausts have gotten better, just realize there isnt much you can do from them rotting. How many miles on this thing i hate you for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 (edited) NO. From condenstaion. The water sits inside of the muffler and it rusts. Exhausts have gotten better, just realize there isnt much you can do from them rotting. How many miles on this thing i hate you for west coast still lasts longer - because it only rusts from one side instead of both, LOL? my west coast original XT6 and OBW exhausts are in great shape still. How many miles on this thing i hate you for 170k, i don't really look for low mileage, but i'm interested and have been in contact with this one owner XT6 with 2x,xxx miles should this guy ever want to sell it. this is a pic i took when i met him one day, small pic but the car is perfect as far as i can tell. i use mine and put it to work, i don't deserve one like that, not too worried about it. Edited January 8, 2014 by grossgary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 That is way too pretty for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86 Wonder Wedge Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 I find keeping it clean, and having it oil sprayed 2x/year is best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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