Rust Removal Tips for Your Jeep

Keep Your Jeep Rust Free

When I started off-roading and doing off road post checks on my Jeep I began to notice scraps on the undercarriage. Those scraps turned into spots for rust growth. Living in a place that uses road salt on the road exasperates the growth of rust. 

The winter months and all the salt on the road can cause havoc on those scratches. 

Read More ➤➤ Tips to Winterize Your Jeep

Working under my Jeep

There were a lot of scratches, scrapes and dings from my time on the rocky trails. I decided to try some Do-It-Yourself products since at the time that's what fit my budget at the time. 

Rust on My Skid Plates Under My Jeep

If you are looking for a low cost solution this may work. I highly recommend getting a professional undercoating if you have a newer vehicle.

 

Permatex Heavy-Duty Rubberized Undercoating 

Permatex Rust Treatment  

This spray takes 24 hours to set. I decided to test out this rubberized undercoating.  At the time I didn't understand how this product worked. I now wish I would have used it on my bumpers and undercarriage. 

Undercoating

My front and rear bumpers were becoming a real rust infested problem. You could see the rust coming growing underneath the powdercoat. The best solution would be to sandblast the whole bumper and start over. It didn't fit my budget at the time. So I tried out POR-15.

Rusted front bumper

When you expose bare metal to oxygen and moisture you create prime growing conditions for rust. I have dinged my front and rear bumpers a lot over the years while off-roading. 

rusted front bumper

I did my best keeping up with the maintenance of keeping the rust at bay. However, living out East where there is an unusually obscene amount of salt dumping on the road plays havoc with my bumper and the rust invaded. 

Rust Removal Steps 

That nasty, corrosive rust must be stopped. During my rust removal and prevention process I started with sanding. I used a wire brush and sanded away as much of the rust as I could. Then sprayed on a Permatex Rust Treatment and let it dry for 24 hours.

Rust removal tip

Final Step 

I used Krylon Rust Touch spray paint,  semi-flat black paint. I let it dry for about three hours, then I pulled off the tape and paper. 

Top 5 DIY Rust Removal Treatments  

Permatex Rust Treatment
Rustoleom Rust Remover 
Oshpo
Corroseal
Rust and paint stripper wheel

brushing off rust flakes

With each of the liquid products you must prepare the metal. Remove all flaking paint and rust dust. Rinse with water. Then the liquid products can be painted on. I also sanded the bumper as best I could. 

Before and after of rusted bumper

Out of those 5 products, I felt the Oshpo worked the best, but it still didn't prevent the old rust from coming back on my bumpers. It worked great on the rock rash on my sliders.

Rust Prevention Products

POR-15 was another product I tested out on my front & rear bumper.

Rust Prevention in 5 Easy Steps with POR-15

POR-15 Rust Prevention Update 

Testing Out Another Product - POR-15

I tired the product POR-15, the rust prevention kit. It's a 3 step process. I have found in my rust treatments that prepping the metal is the key. I spent a lot of time sanding off the rust as best I could. 

using POR 15

Then it was on to the 3 step process of the POR-15 Kit. It's really very simple. Spray on the degreaser to clean the metal. The instructions stated to keep the metal wet for 15 minutes. During that time I used my wire brush to help remove that stubborn rust. After rinsing off the degreaser, the next step was the metal prep. This is a liquid that needs to remain on the metal for 15 minutes. 

POR 15

After the Metal Prep is rinsed off the the bumper dries, the POR-15 can be painted on the bumper. POR-15 is a thick black paint. I used two coats. Once the POR-15 paint dried I sprayed on a black matte rust prevention spray paint. The POR-15 is sensitive to UV rays. 

After POR-15 was applied! 

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Be Yourself - Embracing a Fulfilling Life

Exploring Ways to Live Authentically

As I get older, the significance of time has become increasingly apparent to me. It's a precious resource that requires mindful management. 

My goal is to be vigilant with my time. 

I'm dedicated to embracing my best life and ensuring each day is lived to its fullest potential. During my journey I began to see several areas where I squandered this precious commodity -- TIME.

Selfie in nature

Escaping the Trap of Seeking Approval

Living life to its fullest requires the avoidance of wasting time. Among the many ways I saw my time being wasted was seeking acceptance from friends, colleagues, and society. Those ways stood out prominently when I became more mindful of simplifying my life. 

The desire for approval is universal.

Excessive concern about others' opinions can lead to a sense of unworthiness. This has become so prevalent in our society today with the internet and social media. This preoccupation can spiral into an unhealthy, stressful endeavor, often without our awareness.

Striving for Individuality and Freedom

In my own journey, I've frequently found myself attempting to fit in at the cost of losing my true self. However, with age comes a newfound indifference towards the approval of others or conforming to any specific group.

Yosemite National Park selfie

Embracing Personal Authenticity

Time is the most valuable currency in our possession, irreversible once spent. I made a decision to stop squandering it by conforming to society's predefined molds.

This is my time! Time to be authentically me!

It's time to be unconcerned about the validation of peers, friends, neighbors, colleagues, or society. As long as I am doing the right thing and being a good person. 

10 Ways to Live Your Life for You

Embrace your individuality: Understand that you are unique, and your life is your own. You don't have to conform to others' expectations or opinions.

Focus on your own goals and dreams: Instead of worrying about what others think, focus on what you want to achieve in life. Set goals and work towards them.

Develop self-confidence: Believe in yourself and your abilities. The more confident you are, the less you will care about what others think.

Surround yourself with positive people: Choose friends and acquaintances who support and encourage you, rather than those who bring you down.

Learn to let go: Don't dwell on the opinions of others. Instead, learn to let go of negative thoughts and focus on the present moment.

Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself and understand that nobody is perfect. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer to a friend.

Be assertive: Learn to communicate your needs and desires clearly and assertively. This will help you to stand up for yourself and live your life on your own terms.

Develop a sense of humor: Being able to laugh at yourself and not take things too seriously can help you to stop caring about what others think.

Take risks: Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try new things. The more you experience in life, the less you will care about what others think.

Remember that you only live once: Life is too short to spend it worrying about what others think. Live your life to the fullest and make the most of every moment.

7 Must-Have Winter Accessories for Your Jeep Wrangler

Embracing Old Man Winter

When Old Man Winter rolls in, Jeep owners experience a completely different season depending on where they live. While some Southern Jeepers are still driving topless, those of us in colder climates are staring down snowstorms, icy roads, sleet, slush, mud, and salt-covered highways.

Preparing your Jeep for winter isn’t just smart—it's essential for safe driving and stress-free adventures. After more than a decade of winter wheeling and cold-weather commuting, these are the 7 must-have winter Jeep accessories every Wrangler owner should consider.

Jeep with piles of snow

Watch ➤➤ Top 5 Winter Accessories 

Quick Answer: What Accessories Do You Really Need for Winter?

To prepare your Jeep for snow, ice, salt, and freezing temperatures, you need:

1. Snow tires

2. Winter wiper blades

3. All-weather floor mats

4. Grille guard or front-end protection

5. Jeep-specific winter emergency kit

6. Heated seat covers or steering wheel wrap

7. Long-reach snow brush and ice scraper

Scroll down for why each one matters—and the gear I personally use.

 

1. Snow Tires (or Studded Tires in Harsh Climates)

Winter driving requires more than 4WD. It requires traction, and nothing provides better cold-weather grip than dedicated winter tires.

Snow and ice tires use:

• Softer rubber compounds (stay flexible in freezing temps)

• Deeper tread patterns

• Ice-gripping siping

• Optional studs for extreme climates

If you live where winters are unpredictable (snow one day, slush the next), snow tires make the biggest difference in braking, turning, and overall control.

My go-to winter/off-road tire:
➡ Nexen Roadian MTX Tire   — they’ve served me well both on snowy roads and off-road winter trails.

tire treads

2. Winter Wiper Blades

Regular blades freeze easily, streak in slush, and fail quickly in cold weather.
Winter wiper blades are built with:

• A rubber boot to prevent ice buildup

• Heavier framing for snow

• High-quality rubber for wet winter performance

Pair them with a full wiper fluid reservoir and you’ll have clearer visibility on snowy mountain roads, icy highways, and blustery trail days.

Winter visibility is safety. Don’t skip this one. It may not seem like a big deal but Wiper Blade Maintenance can be crucial when driving in the winter. Especially on snowy mountain roads.  

3. All-Weather Deep-Dish Floor Mats

Winter means slush, mud, melted snow, rock salt, and dirt. Without protection, your Jeep’s carpet will soak it all up.

Invest in floor liners with:

• High side walls

• Deep grooves

• Rubberized or molded plastic material

These liners trap the mess and make cleaning effortless. Simply pull them out, shake or hose them down, and pop them back in.

I’ve personally reviewed and used:

• Rugged Ridge Floor Mats

•  Lasfit Floor Mats

Both were excellent and winter-ready.

All weather floor mats

 

4. Grille Guard for Winter Protection

A grille guard is more than an aesthetic upgrade—it’s front-end armor. Winter driving often involves slipping, sliding, and unexpected “kiss-the-snowbank” moments.

A grille guard helps protect:

• Your grille

• Radiator

• Headlights

• Front bumper

Whether you get an inch or several feet of snow, that extra protection can save you from costly repairs.

front Jeep Grille

5. Jeep Winter Emergency Kit

A dedicated winter kit is essential. It doesn’t need to be fancy, but it must include basics that keep you safe when temperatures drop.

Build your winter emergency kit with:

• Jumper cables 

• Emergency signals or flares

• Blanket

• Portable shovel

• Tire pressure gauge

• First-aid kit

• Water + snacks

• Flashlight

• Tow strap or recovery gear (especially if you wheel in winter)

This is one of the most important “accessories” you can carry. If you hit the trails a good off-road recovery kit is necessary. 

6. Heated Seat Covers or Steering Wheel Wrap

If you’re a cold-weather Jeeper who still likes going topless (or at least windowless on warmer winter days), heated accessories are a game changer.

Benefits:

• Warm up faster than the Jeep’s HVAC

• Help with stiff backs and sore muscles

• Keep the cabin comfortable even in freezing temps

They’re inexpensive, easy to install, and make winter driving much more enjoyable.

7. Long-Reach Snow Brush & Ice Scraper

A simple tool, but absolutely essential for Jeep owners—especially lifted Jeep owners.

Look for a snow brush with:

• Telescoping handle

• Foam or soft bristles

• Built-in scraper

• Angled head (better for Jeep windshields)

This is one accessory you’ll use almost every single winter day.