1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Application of Fluid Film

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by BBYE V8, Jul 15, 2012.

  1. Jul 15, 2012 at 11:39 AM
    #1
    BBYE V8

    BBYE V8 [OP] Please keep TW beautiful: search & stay on topic

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2011
    Member:
    #50885
    Messages:
    143
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brian
    StL, MO
    Vehicle:
    07 AC 4x4 2.7 5sp SR5
    There has been many discussions on how to make the Tacoma frame more rust proof/rust resistance...and many opinions/arguments on what is best. This thread is NOT about that. I'm writing this simply to explain how I applied Fluid Film to the frame from the one gallon can.

    If you know of other places the 2nd Gen Tacoma tends to rust, please add your experience to this thread: 2nd Gen potential rust

    [​IMG]
    The first thing you should do is thoroughly wash the underside of your truck. I use a long reach, water wand type sprayer*. Use high pressure, try to blast out any places that sand and dirt accumulate, and let it dry at least overnight. If you already have light rust spots on your frame or floorboards that you want to deal with, now is the time to do it. I used a wire brush to knock off the loose paint and surface rust. Then I wiped that area with a denim rag (you want something tough that won't fall apart) that was wet with Prep All* to remove contaminants so I had a good surface for the new paint. I then gave these areas a shot of Eastwood's Rust Encapsulator* in flat black on the frame, silver on the floor boards. This is also a good time to protect fully boxed in section of your frame; it's not easy but if you are going to do it, do it now before you apply the Fluid Film. I used Eastwood's Internal Frame Coating*. Before any painting you want to put down a drop cloth to keep drips of paint off the driveway. After allowing the paint to completely dry you can finally start on the Fluid Film application.

    Of course the easiest way to apply Fluid Film would be to buy a bunch of the aerosol cans and go to town. But since it was significantly cheaper in the gallon can, that's what I bought. I got mine from a local lawn mower supply/feed store but there are plenty of sources online including http://www.kellsportproducts.com/ . Bob Smith from Kellsport Products is offering TW members a really nice discount:
    To apply, you can spray it or spread it with a brush. I felt that spreading it with a brush would take too long and would not get into as many nooks and crannies as a spray could get. Fluid Film is thick and clingy, similar to Vaseline, which makes it great for rustproofing, but difficult to spray:

    [​IMG]

    I have read that you can apply it with spray guns made for household paint (like those electric Wagner sprayers) or undercoating guns*. I had neither of those so I tried a different method: warming it up. Surprisingly, Fluid Film thins nicely when warm and doesn't require much heat to spray from a handheld spray bottle. Hot water was my source of heat for warming the Fluid Film; I took a large Pyrex bowl from the kitchen, filled it with water and placed it in the microwave until it boiled. Gotta be careful pulling this out and taking it outside...use heat proof gloves or pads. You could dunk the entire gallon can of Fluid Film into the hot water, but since you don't need that much, a smaller amount is easier. I used an disposable container to scoop some Fluid Film into a rusty old pot and then dipped that pot into the hot water. In other words I made a double boiler. I don't have pictures of the entire process (give me a break, my hands were full), but I do have:

    [​IMG]


    I believe you could use an electric hot plate, electric stove, heat gun, potpourri heater...whatever you got. If you try something different feel free to post what did or didn't work. I wish I could tell you exactly how warm to get the Fluid Film, but I just don't know. I got it warm enough to flow like tomato soup, but not so warm as to melt the bottle or it's pump. I suggest you try it as soon as it's warm enough to pour through a funnel into your spray bottle; if that isn't thin enough to spray then dunk the bottle into the hot water to get the Fluid Film warmer. Speaking of my spray bottle, I used a "horse sprayer" purchased at the same shop I bought the Fluid Film from:

    [​IMG]

    A disposable old Windex spray bottle may work, but I suspect it won't take as much heat as this reusable version will. As the Fluid Film changes temperature it will spray differently from your sprayer. Once I got the temperature/spray pattern the way I wanted it, I parked the truck in the grass to keep overspray off the driveway, and just started spraying the frame and body. You will have to occasionally stop to reheat your spray bottle. Again, how much heat your bottle can take without melting may vary. I stayed away from the exhaust (that will stink), the plastic bed & fuel tank (a waste of Fluid Film), the drivetrain (didn't want to attract dirt to those parts), and the brakes. I suggest you open the hood as there are parts of the frame only accessible from the engine compartment. Spray behind the fenders and in the wheel wells. I plan on putting some along the bottom edge of the inside of the doors and tailgate next time the panels are off.

    I think this first coat needs to be the heaviest to make sure there is plenty of that Fluid Film "creep" which makes it so good at protecting places you can't reach or even see. And even with this heavy first coat, I used only about 1/3 of the gallon can. The yearly re-applications will probably require less Fluid Film since there will still be a lot left on the frame from the previous application.


    *********** The asterisks (further explanation of things mentioned above) **************

    * The long reach, multi pattern sprayer/water wand was purchased at Lowes for around $10 but are available at lots of hardware/outdoor shops. I recommend everyone living in a rust prone area buy one. It makes it very easy to do a really good job of washing the underside of ALL your vehicles. And keeps you from doing a lot of bending over in the process.

    * Prep All is available from many sources. Check your local Home Depot, Lowes, auto parts store, etc...even if they don't have this particular brand, they will have something that is designed to remove all wax, silicone, grease, etc. before painting.

    *Eastwood's Rust Encapsulator is one of many choices you have for paint. Por15 is another popular choice. You could use the brush on or aerosol; I used aerosol.

    *Eastwood's Internal Frame Coating is one of many choices you have to coat the inside of the fully boxed (front) section of the Tacoma frame. I have no previous experience with this product but it comes with a 2 foot long tube that has a 360 degree nozzle at the end. With all the small holes in this part of the frame, I was able to thoroughly coat the entire length of the boxed frame and one can was more than enough for the Tacoma. I was pleased with the results, but only time will tell if it works well.

    *Undercoating guns can be purchased from various places such as Eastwood or Kellsport Products. If you go this route consider using it to coat the inside of the boxed section of the frame with Fluid Film. There is more advice from people who have experience spraying Fluid Film from undercoating guns and regular paint guns, read through the second page to get their advice. If you try it, please post your results.

    [​IMG][​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
    GQ7227 and surforegon like this.
  2. Jul 15, 2012 at 11:42 AM
    #2
    BBYE V8

    BBYE V8 [OP] Please keep TW beautiful: search & stay on topic

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2011
    Member:
    #50885
    Messages:
    143
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brian
    StL, MO
    Vehicle:
    07 AC 4x4 2.7 5sp SR5
    I did the original application in November of 2011. As of June of 2012 there is still a film of protection everywhere I originally sprayed it. The only places where the Fluid Film has noticeably worn is the section of the frame that hangs the lowest, directly in the air/rain that flows under the truck. The inside of the frame and the floor boards look almost as good as the day I applied it, albeit dirtier as the Fluid Film does get dirt stuck in it.

    A few pictures of the frame right after Fluid Film application in November of 2011, right before winter:

    [​IMG] .[​IMG] .[​IMG] .

    And a few in May of 2012, after winter:

    [​IMG] .[​IMG] .[​IMG]


    July 15, 2012:

    [​IMG] .[​IMG] .[​IMG]

    April 15, 2013:

    [​IMG].
    [​IMG].
    [​IMG].
     
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2013
    surforegon likes this.
  3. Jul 17, 2012 at 8:11 AM
    #3
    nut

    nut she'll ride

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2011
    Member:
    #66555
    Messages:
    1,627
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Patrick
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    Totaled
    TRD SKEWP DCSB 4x4 Silver Mica | URD TCAI/MAF CAL | BHLM | GrillCraft | FF Sliders | LED's All Around | 12v Constant On | EGR In Channel | 15% Tint | Trimmed mud flaps | Fog Light Anytime Mod | Debadged | Tailgate Hoseclamp | DTRL Switch | Disabled Lock Beep/Seatbelt Chime | Husky Liners | HID's | BedRug | WO Seat Covers | ABS Kill Switch | Oil Catch Can | Viper 5704 | Custom Carbon Cabin Filter | Backup Camera Anytime | 400W Anytime | In Cab Outlet W/USB | Firestone Ride Rites | Ams Oil All Around | 32" LED In Lower Grill | BlackVue DR500GW-HD |
    great write up! i plan on doing this this winter. How much was the gallon?


    edit: just saw it was like $40
     
  4. Jul 17, 2012 at 9:10 AM
    #4
    Dano50

    Dano50 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2012
    Member:
    #81845
    Messages:
    25
    Gender:
    Male
    Nicely done! We've still got samples of Fluid Film for members who haven't tried it and live in the US. Just PM me for a free trial!
     
    GQ7227, ChemDawg, Rambo54 and 3 others like this.
  5. Jul 17, 2012 at 9:23 AM
    #5
    TacoCat

    TacoCat These pretzels are making me thirsty

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2009
    Member:
    #24912
    Messages:
    8,218
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Johnny-5
    Chantilly, VA
    Vehicle:
    22 JLUR 6MT
    Good write up man. I hope to do this before winter this year. We don't usually get a lot of snow around here but when we do they are very generous with the salt/sand on the roads.
     
    GQ7227 likes this.
  6. Jul 17, 2012 at 9:25 AM
    #6
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2009
    Member:
    #27584
    Messages:
    50,399
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter North
    British Columbia
    Vehicle:
    Mag Grey 09 Trd Sport DCLB 4x4
    OME 885x , OME shocks and Dakars , Wheelers SuperBumps front and rear , 275/70/17 Hankook ATm , OEM bed mat , Weathertech digifit floor liners , Weathertech in-channel vents , headache rack , Leer 100RCC commercial canopy , TRD bedside decals removed , Devil Horns by Andres , HomerTaco Satoshi
    Is the product available for purchase in Canada ?
     
  7. Jul 17, 2012 at 11:32 AM
    #7
    Dano50

    Dano50 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2012
    Member:
    #81845
    Messages:
    25
    Gender:
    Male
    Yes. Canadian Tire, TSC, John Deere, Princess Auto, Aucklands Grainger all carry it!
     
  8. Jul 17, 2012 at 11:36 AM
    #8
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2009
    Member:
    #27584
    Messages:
    50,399
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter North
    British Columbia
    Vehicle:
    Mag Grey 09 Trd Sport DCLB 4x4
    OME 885x , OME shocks and Dakars , Wheelers SuperBumps front and rear , 275/70/17 Hankook ATm , OEM bed mat , Weathertech digifit floor liners , Weathertech in-channel vents , headache rack , Leer 100RCC commercial canopy , TRD bedside decals removed , Devil Horns by Andres , HomerTaco Satoshi
    Thank you
     
  9. Jul 17, 2012 at 4:49 PM
    #9
    mrbadwrench

    mrbadwrench Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2010
    Member:
    #39579
    Messages:
    555
    Gender:
    Male
    Cleveland Ohio area
    Vehicle:
    2014 GMC Sierra 4x4, 1988 Mitsubishi J53
    I've used a product I get through work to undercoat all of my vehicles. Although chemically different from Fluid Film, it behaves in almost exactly the same way so my experience is somewhat pertinent.

    For flat surfaces that are easy to get to, a 2" paint roller works great. However the Tacoma frame is anything but easy to get to, so I've done several other things. I've never heated my product so can't comment about that.

    1) Airless sprayer. Graco is a common manufacturer. You drop the intake right into your bucket of product (My product comes in 5 gal buckets, Thin Film may be the same) and turn your pressure to about 1,500 PSI. Use a .017-.019 tip with a narrow fan width, such as a Graco LTX217 tip. Then just spray away.

    2) HVLP paint gun (pot fed, not gravity feed). Use a high pot pressure (About 40 PSI and medium gun pressure and a large tip (Such as a #5 tip from Capspray) that would normally be designed for epoxies. Use an oval fan pattern.

    3) Undercoating spray guns (which run off 100 PSI compressor air lines) work OK but they don't atomize well and leave a bad splatter effect. Good for getting into boxed frame areas with extended wands though.
     
    Colchicine likes this.
  10. Jul 18, 2012 at 11:51 PM
    #10
    BBYE V8

    BBYE V8 [OP] Please keep TW beautiful: search & stay on topic

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2011
    Member:
    #50885
    Messages:
    143
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brian
    StL, MO
    Vehicle:
    07 AC 4x4 2.7 5sp SR5
    Thanks for sharing your experience; the more the better. I'd especially like someone to try #3 with Fluid Film since undercoating guns are cheap. #1 and #2 are not so cheap unless you already have one for other projects.
     
  11. Jul 19, 2012 at 6:08 AM
    #11
    newertoy

    newertoy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2010
    Member:
    #32204
    Messages:
    1,560
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kevin
    East Tn
    Vehicle:
    2003 4x4 extra cab
    2" lift AAL and Bilstiens-front-rear,front diff drop. main drive drop
    Just applied Fluid Film to an old rusty shot gun---AMAZING--rust WIPED right off.
     
  12. Jul 19, 2012 at 6:12 AM
    #12
    Simon's Mom

    Simon's Mom Wag More Bark Less

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2007
    Member:
    #1297
    Messages:
    10,171
    Gender:
    Female
    First Name:
    Judy or Jude :)
    NEK Island Pond VT
    Vehicle:
    13 TRD OR DC MGM
    Stock for now
    great write up thanks
     
  13. Jul 19, 2012 at 6:12 AM
    #13
    TacoCat

    TacoCat These pretzels are making me thirsty

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2009
    Member:
    #24912
    Messages:
    8,218
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Johnny-5
    Chantilly, VA
    Vehicle:
    22 JLUR 6MT
  14. Jul 19, 2012 at 6:18 AM
    #14
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2010
    Member:
    #39131
    Messages:
    38,409
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    '19 Ford F-250 6.7 SCrew
    F-250 Land Yacht Mod
  15. Jul 19, 2012 at 6:56 AM
    #15
    ontarioyota

    ontarioyota Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2010
    Member:
    #44122
    Messages:
    1,330
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    @scott777taco INSTAGRAM
    SW Ontario, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2001 Reg Cab 4x4
    Blacked out badges-rims OME lift with 881's & dakar pacs, summer tires=BFG 31x10.5x15 on 93 4runner rims,winter= 265 75 16 DURATRACS on stock steelies,Flowmaster exhaust, deck plate mod, ARB front bumper
    Fluid film is awesome for many uses.

    I buy the spray cans when on sale at TSC for $9.99(reg $14.99)

    I use it for everything with the exception of a sexual lubricant!!!...girlfriend won't let me try that!!
     
    ready6delta and tyler2009 like this.
  16. Jul 19, 2012 at 10:23 AM
    #16
    BBYE V8

    BBYE V8 [OP] Please keep TW beautiful: search & stay on topic

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2011
    Member:
    #50885
    Messages:
    143
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brian
    StL, MO
    Vehicle:
    07 AC 4x4 2.7 5sp SR5
    That's a good deal. I like that extension wand w/360 degree nozzle for the aerosol can.

    Ummmm, that's just wrong in so many ways. You do know that Fluid Film is based on lanolin, which comes from sheep. You really want to be smelling sheep when with your girlfriend???? :rofl:
     
  17. Jul 19, 2012 at 10:30 AM
    #17
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2010
    Member:
    #39131
    Messages:
    38,409
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    '19 Ford F-250 6.7 SCrew
    F-250 Land Yacht Mod
    But at it'll keep things from getting rusty down there :notsure:
     
  18. Jul 19, 2012 at 11:10 AM
    #18
    mrbadwrench

    mrbadwrench Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2010
    Member:
    #39579
    Messages:
    555
    Gender:
    Male
    Cleveland Ohio area
    Vehicle:
    2014 GMC Sierra 4x4, 1988 Mitsubishi J53
    Hi,

    I took a quick look around Harbor Freight, and I'm not sure which spray guns you are specifically looking at, but at $15 they are likely gravity feed guns, which won't work with thick products like Fluid Film. You need a pressurized feed pot.

    However, I just did a quick search on Amazon and found the undercoating gun I own and have used many times, for $64. It's a very high quality unit. However like I said before, with fluids like Fluid Film, it does tend to splatter badly instead of leaving an even spray film like a paint gun would.

    http://www.amazon.com/Automotive-Autobody-Undercoating-Gun-Hoses/dp/B0035YB7WI/ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_4
     
  19. Jul 19, 2012 at 11:16 AM
    #19
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2010
    Member:
    #39131
    Messages:
    38,409
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    '19 Ford F-250 6.7 SCrew
    F-250 Land Yacht Mod
    Look at the kit in the link I posted above. It's $79, free shipping and comes with a gallone of fluid film, a pressure pot style gun, a can of fluid film for touch ups and a touch up brush.
     
  20. Jul 21, 2012 at 9:30 AM
    #20
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2010
    Member:
    #39131
    Messages:
    38,409
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    '19 Ford F-250 6.7 SCrew
    F-250 Land Yacht Mod
    I used the Fluid Film on my chrome rear bumper and it came out great! I followed Dan50's advice and applied it like wax. The only thing is, don't apply it as liberally as wax, it doesn't wipe off as cleanly as a wax does. Use just a little bit and it'll polish up to a nice mirror shine :thumbsup:

    I've got pics in my build thread.
     
To Top