Protecting your truck from the weld elements?

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i just saw a ad for a dupli-color spray on wrap type product (sounds similar to plasti-dip, although i've never used it) and it got me thinking is this the answer to keeping my truck prtected from weld dust, scratches etc???http://duplicolor.com/product/custom...emovable-painti've never even cared about my truck before but now i have a newer '13 f350 id like to keep for a long time and currently i find my self pressure washing, or using a leaf blower on it to keep the metal particals off. the truck is usually 30'-ish away, parking further, out of the way isnt possible. but after only 5 months of owning it i'm seeing rust spots in the clear coat on body lines around window and the such.with all the nice rigs out there i'm hoping someone has some experience with this product or other advice...
Reply:Why not put up a screen? You might try washing with something that has a rust inhibitor. I use salt-away in the winter which has an inhibitor and it appears to be slowing rust... definitely helped with the road salt.
Reply:If you are seeing rust IN the clear coat-you're already past the point of protecting it because of the metal embedded into the paint. Even at 30ft away I've seen grinding dust destroy paint work.
Reply:If you really want to keep it nice, try using a sealant on the paint. You'll need to clay bar before hand, which could get all the rust spots out if they are similar to brake dust spots. I'd they are from hot sparks hitting the paint, you might not be so lucky. For just a standard sealant, Wolfgang Deep Gloss Sealant 3.0 is the best one I've tried so far. Sealants are designed as a corrosion inhibitor, and this particular one has anti static properties and beads water ridiculously. It makes it extremely easy to clean the vehicle, and most times after a rain, it looks like the vehicle has been freshly washed and waxed. There are hard coat sealants that will protect more, but cost quite a bit more and harder to apply correctly. Opti-coat is one of the original hard sealants. The Wolfgang product is about $30-$35 for a bottle and you could probably do your truck at least 30 times with it, and each application could last 6 months to a year. I still put it on pretty much every month or so just cause I can.It's also extremely hydrophobic. I've seen water beads stand up 1/4" off the paint.
Reply:Good question, and the answers you get will be interesting to read.This is exactly the reason my trucks are both about 15 years old.  Most of the jobsites I go on are tight and the truck has to be parked right up against whatever you're working on...grinding sparks etc bouncing right off the paint from 4 or 5 feet away in some cases.  I own a few cans of Dupli-Color type color matching paints and when something gets to looking too bad, I just clean it off with Brakleen on a rag and spritz some more paint on there.I have often wondered how regular fabricators are able to keep a clean welding truck - pipeliners I understand because they're working in the ditch, but regular guys????  I've found the busier I've gotten, the less attention the trucks get.  These days they are just lucky to get an oil change on time.  I'm not sure the F350 has had a bath since I've owned it aside from the first one where I washed the mold off with a pressure washer.  Same with the International except I don't think I've ever washed it.  I'm letting the rain do the washing.
Reply:how about a secondary question,   Is plasma 'dust', not the heavy stuff that fall to the ground within a 10' radius but the light stuff that goes everywhere, corrosive?  how would it compare to say grinding dust?also just to put this out there, to me my truck is a tool and as with all my tools it will be used for its best profit. protecting it is a theoretical financial equation, meaning if the man hours and material that it takes to protect it cost more than replacing or repainting it then i'll just let it go.   but it is my nicest tool and and least for the time being, however short it may be, i do find myself enjoying it being 'nice'.        to give an example of my thoughts of truck protection, in the past all i cared about was the interior staying decent. and i've gotton to where i dont believe in using seat covers. i think they cost more in the long run and do little to truly protect. i put this money towards re-upholstery, i can have all new leather put in the current truck for $1500 and at the same time they rebuild the cushions that gets worn from getting in and out.     Originally Posted by kizeIf you are seeing rust IN the clear coat-you're already past the point of protecting it because of the metal embedded into the paint. Even at 30ft away I've seen grinding dust destroy paint work.
Reply:Originally Posted by tracymobilecncbut still nobody has experience with a 'wrap'????