This Xmas I plan on driving my JK from Florida to Kentucky to see the family. I have heard of some coating people up north put on the bottom of their cars to prevent the salt and snow from rusting the undercarriage. I dont think I have this, but I really dont know what to look for to see if i do have it. Do I need this if I am going for only a week. If so how much does a JK cost to get it done.

 

you can never fully stop rust. Anything you put on just delays the inevitable. You can put some undercoating on ur underside such as por-15.

 

Hi! Absolutely not needed. Just high-pressure wash the bottom of the JK after your trip. Spend a little time and TLC doing this and your JK won't even know she got slushed. Besides... we often (I live in upstate NY) go weeks at a time with no snow on the roads and I would bet the same thing happens in Kentucky. You may luck out and have bare, bone dry roads during your visit. Take care and enjoy!!! Mike

 

Today's vehicles are protected from corrosion a lot better than years ago. I live in Maine, where salt is used very often. I don't feel the need to under-coat my JK. I have not had a vehicle rust out in years.
All I do to prevent corrosion is wash the vehicle at least 3 times through the winter, and maybe 2 times through the summer. I let rain wash the mud off most of the time.

 

not sure if we even use salt anymore i think its mollassas

 

My last vehicle was starting to show the rust pretty bad after 10 Canadian winters with heavy amounts of salt on the road. I never planned on keeping it for 10 years so I never had it treated.

My 07 JK was into the shop to be treated within 2 months, i.e. before the first snow fall. I use a system call Rust Check, they drill holes into the body and spray in a solution. If you have it done every year the guarantee the vehicle against rusting out from the inside.

All that being said, I'm sure Kentucky gets nasty amounts of winter weather compared to Florida. If you have any concern when you get home wash the outside of the vehicle well and get a lawn watering device that shoots a large spray of water up into the air. Place it under the front of the Jeep for 15 minutes and then under the rear. I have seen several people recommend this after they have been playing on the beach near salt water with the JK's.

 

If you are only going for a week, I wouldn't worry too much. Just be sure to give the undercarriage a thorough wash.

You can go with the Rust Check, or get the aftermarket 'ionizers' that charge the vehicle's metal. Not really worth it for a short hop.

I ran vehicles that were 14 years old in cold weather. Corrosive nature of the conditions is highly variable depending upon the amount of salt/deicer on the road. Other regions use sand, or even actual dirt (northern Alberta, Canada for one!!!) that result in less chemical corrosion and more paint chipping damage that will eventually result in rust susceptibility.
Pick your poison.

 

Don't forget the damage gravel and sand does to your windsheild... sigh... I've also got many paint chips in around my windsheild and nicks in my grill (good thing that's plastic).

I would recommend getting some touch up paint if you don't have it already. The paint on the JK comes right off if you get hit by a rock left by a sanding truck. The bare spots it leaves will rust if you don't cover them quick. It's pretty bad on mine even after one winter.