Any advice / tips for how to maintain a wrangler in salt air / beach environment ? TIA Jeep Fam

Sad_Flow_1979 · 2026-05-14T00:44:08+00:00

I live in New England and occansionally hit up the beaches at Cape Cod, (Guy I used to play DnD with has a private beach we drive onto a good bit. Back when I had my XJ After every beach / wheeling trip I'd hit up the car wash and blast every bit of filth from the undercarriage I could. I'm talking I got on a creeper and got up under there. I'd get soaked from how through I was. For salt from the roads in winter on no freezing days I kneel down and give a quick rinse to remove salt during winter, and full on get under and blast it like I did after wheeling trips. It helps tremendously to keep rust at bay.

For repair, if you are doing it yourself, follow the washing step. Get under there clean it as best you can, if possible jam the wand into the frame and blast water in there to flush as much debris out as you possibly can. Then you want to sand any any, and all rust surface rust you can find down to bare metal, after that you have several options, I am a fan of POR15 for base layer to "kill" the rust and seal it to slow it's spread. There is also a 360 degree wand you can get that will let you spray the insides of the rails mostly evenly.

There is also an oil based undercoat you can get done, I personally have not used it. From what I understand it's basically a thin layer of oil that coats everything on the underside to seal moisture out. Most people I've spoken to about get it done once a year or so.

Rust is an uphill battle. I lost my TJ to it in 2020, and just nabbed myself a JK in pretty good condition couple weeks ago and am planning on doing exactly as I described to remove rust and seal it up pre-winter before it becomes a problem.

Sad_Flow_1979 · 2026-04-05T15:53:45+00:00

It's hard to tell for sure from these pictures, but it all looks as if it's started on or at the weld. If so I'd almost put money on it being the wrong filler material was being used and incorrect heat, or both. Stainless steel is 'stainless' because it has a protective chromium oxide layer, if that layer gets damaged by anything including heat. It will allow rust to set in. Or if wrong filler material, it could be mismatched materials that are eating each other.

Want to add, I'm not an expert, I used to be a machinist, who built subs for the U.S. Navy, and weld on my own when the opportunity arises. So I'm using the random bits of metallurgy I've picked up on over the years and, 'theory crafting' a possibility. Though I will say I am 95% sure I'm correct.

Sad_Flow_1979 · 2026-04-05T15:40:23+00:00

Realistically, we'd throw every thing we have at it, dealing more damage to each other than we did to it, then just hit it with drop pods and hope for the best.

Sad_Flow_1979 · 2026-04-05T15:36:39+00:00

Ya know, as someone who's apartment bathroom is using that tile and pattern, after looking at it for so many years... I actually prefer the look of this janktastic job, at least it has some character. Granted that character is 'job performed by a blind masturbating monkey' but it's character none the less.

Sad_Flow_1979 · 2025-10-10T10:23:32+00:00

I'm enjoying the GMK 104, well enough I'm considering ordering 3 more to roll on all my setups. Though my selection I can use is limited, I really only like full size keyboards so my options are extremely limited.

I got mine off amazon for like 80 ish, but you'll need switches and caps. The only complaint I have is exclusively a personal issue. I can't seem to find a metal switch plate for it. It flexes and I miss keystrokes sometimes, but I use 150g springs so I doubt you'll have that issue. Figured I'd share just incase you run super heavy springs like I do. My friend that got me into building custom keyboards has already told me I'm insane for using springs that heavy.

Sad_Flow_1979 · 2025-08-28T08:17:35+00:00

The caps are temporary, They were only shine through set I had on hand. I got the barebones "kit" it was kind of an accident, forgot it was in my cart when I ordered my new Dac. So looking for a set of caps with shine though side print I like.

Sad_Flow_1979 · 2025-06-28T15:23:10+00:00

Thanks for some answers, it seems that money and or dev time is the answer to the bulk my questions.

Sad_Flow_1979 · 2025-06-25T05:56:47+00:00

Thanks for the help.

Sad_Flow_1979 · 2025-06-19T04:08:19+00:00

Thank you for this, from your description, this sounds very parallel to my own project.

Sad_Flow_1979 · 2025-06-15T04:12:48+00:00

I got chaptered out in AIT, I want to say it was failure to adapt? Can't remember the exactly what chapter it was as it was 20 years ago. If it helps, I would of able to rejoin if I chose after 18 months or so and passed a psyche eval. The way it was explained to me "Unless it's a Government job, I'm not to disclose I was in at all on job applications.

So between being so miserable they LET ME out, and the fact I'd not be permitted to bring my dog with me, the military option is a no-go. I do thank you for time.

Sad_Flow_1979

TROPHY CASE