Rustbuster is pleased to announce that we are one of the UK’s first stockists of Fluid Film Black, the latest version of the USA’s popular corrosion protection product.
Fluid Film Black gives you the opportunity to treat the underside of your vehicle (or other metal structures) with a non-toxic, non-cracking, attractive black coating for long term protection.
Like Rustbuster’s established Corrolan range of rustproofing products, Fluid Film Black is based on lanolin. Extracted from sheep’s wool, lanolin is a natural, sustainable, non-toxic product with proven corrosion-busting benefits.
The original Fluid Film leaves a translucent finish (like Corrolan). The availability of Fluid Film Black now gives customers the opportunity to achieve the same benefits of lanolin, but with a black finish. And unlike typical bitumen-based underseals, it can be easily removed for inspection or repair.
You can order Fluid Film Black here.
Why use Fluid Film Black?
Fluid Film Black performs three main functions:
- A protective coating. When applied to metal such as a vehicle underbody, floor pans and suspension components, Fluid Film Black penetrates to the base of the metal and provides long-term corrosion protection.
- A pentrating treatment. The viscosity of Fluid Film is such that its wet barrier creeps and migrates into seams and other tight spaces.
- Freeing seized parts. Heavily corroded and/or frozen parts such as nuts, bolts, shafts, etc. can be salvaged by applying Fluid Film Black.
Non-cracking for long-term coverage
Lanolin has proven itself for rust protection in over 70 years across multiple environments and applications. As well as its moisture displacement properties, its main performance benefit is the fact that it doesn’t crack over time.
The lanolin solvent-free formula of Fluid Film Black means that it never fully dries once applied. It won’t crack or split, which is one of the potential long-term issues with bitumen-based underseals that contain solvents.
Chris Allen of Rustbuster explains: “When you apply a product with significant solvent content, the solvent will gradually evaporate. With a solvent-free product, nothing evaporates, so almost all the product remains on the surface. That means better coverage, which improves protection and of course minimises waste.”
Safe on paint and plastic – and humans
Fluid Film Black is non-toxic, non-hazardous and contains less than one percent VOC content. These benefits are important to DIY users looking to avoid spraying and handling harmful products. Professional users, fleet managers and the like will also welcome these safety and environmental credentials.
It also has no adverse effects on paint or plastics, so can be sprayed across whole areas without concern. Just take care to avoid coating any rubber parts that are not oil-resistant, and wipe off any Fluid Film that comes into contact with them.
How to apply Fluid Film Black
We recommend carrying out good surface preparation before applying Fluid Film Black. Follow Rustbuster’s best practice procedure of cleaning/degreasing, followed by wire brushing to remove loose rust. Read our blog on rust removal here.
Any surface rust that remains after wire brushing can be treated with Fe-123 Rust Converter to create a stable surface ready for coating. Read our blog on using rust converter here.
For new vehicles or those with no or minimum corrosion, it may be possible to apply Fluid Film Black with less preparation. It is however always advisable to clean the surface before application, for example through power washing.
When it’s time to apply Fluid Film Black, thoroughly shake and/or stir first. Fluid Film is thixotropic; it gets heavier and feels thicker when it has been sitting on the shelf. Shaking/stirring before use will create a more suitable viscosity for application – as will getting it to room temperature.
Thinning should not normally be required. But if it is, a small amount of vegetable oil can be mixed in until a suitable consistency is reached.
Application equipment
Application is best achieved through use of a spray gun. Fluid Film’s recommended air pressures are as follows:
- With a compressor – apply at 60-80 psi.
- With airless equipment – apply at approximately 2,000 psi.
Rustbuster recommends either our Schutz undercoating/injection gun or our Pro Wax undercoating/injection gun for application of Fluid Film Black. Coverage will depend on a few factors, but something in the region of 5 square metres per litre can be expected.
Alternatively, Fluid Film Black aerosols are available: Rustbuster will be stocking these soon in addition to the one gallon cans already in stock.
Established performance in tough conditions
Fluid Film was developed in World War II to meet the U.S. Navy’s need to reduce corrosion in vessel ballast tanks. The lanolin-based product was easy to apply, yet penetrated corrosion and provided long-lasting protection, dramatically reducing costs of re-painting for the Navy.
Fluid Film has since been used in other highly corrosive marine environments, including offshore drilling rigs. It has also proven itself in industrial and agricultural applications – and even on the Space Shuttle. In recent years, it has been widely adopted in automotive applications as a vehicle undercoating, including on fleets of snow ploughs.
Fluid Film Black UK availability from Rustbuster
Rustbuster initially has Fluid Film Black in the UK available in 3.78 Ltr cans (a U.S. gallon) suitable for decanting the product for use with spray equipment. We can also supply empty Schutz cans and suitable spray guns. We will be adding the aerosol version of Fluid Film Black to our range in the coming weeks.
