Winterization for Cleveland

Hey group-

First time Tacoma owner - love my 15 TRD Off Road, great truck so far. Im looking for some advice/past experiences on winterizing (rust prevention). i live in Cleveland OH were salt is EVERYWHERE for 9mths of the year. I have read about various undercoatings and haven't heard many positive results over the long haul. I know from experience the black rubbery stuff you can get at places like Ziebart are junk because they seem to split and crack in colder climates, letting salt in. I have also read about the Honey Coat stuff too, but haven't heard much about its long term results. Im leaning toward using some heavy duty oils like Aimsoil HD Metal Protector or even PB Blasters rust preventer, and just applying it periodically to keep the rust at bay.

So If anyone has any suggestions for what has worked/not worked, please fill me in.

If theres all ready a thread on this, sorry, I'm new here.

Thanks y'all,

Vic

 

No winterizing advice, other than to move, but welcome to TW from Westlake, Oh.... I look forward to any advice as well.

 

I'm in the same boat. Have a 2015 TRD sport and really want to prevent rust this winter as I live in NY where they heavily salt the roads.

So far from what I understand it's wash the underneath weekly and maintain the chassis and underbody with something like fluid film.

What I've been thinking of doing is coating the chassis in POR 15 FLEXCOTE as it is something that can go over painted surfaces and was designed for marine applications where there is heavy salt spray and then also doing, a twice a year application of fluid film.

Also stay away from heated garages.

 

2008 Tacoma. I power wash frame - let it dry for a day or so - spray with boiled linseed oil - no rust - many others in my area have had their frames replaced.

 

Rinsing it frequently will be the best solution, until you can move. (Former NE Ohioan here...)

 

I've learned that rust is unstoppable, just enjoy your truck! If you stress and try to stop rusting you will not benefit, but the person you gets your truck from you when you sell it will benefit immensely. I've learned about this since I bought my truck in 08 and tried a lot of things to stop rust, hasn't really worked. I've given up and now I am just enjoying my truck.

 

This is what I plan on doing with my new 2015 facing an upcoming Wisconsin winter.

This is also great advice - use it and enjoy it. Save the worry for something else, like work!

 

from the rust belt of southern ontario. undercar oil spray. my mechanic does the frame and all doors, tailgate etc., every fall.

 

I've heard of guys that spray and get rust. Have heard of guys that spray and dont get rust . Have also heard of guys that dont spray and dont get any rust ( that being me and my father in law, both in the salt belt). THink the rust thing is wayyyy overblown on tacoma world.

 

I live in northern Vermont and we get our share of snow and salted roads. I read through the rust preventative measures suggested on TW and decided to get my brand new truck treated with Fluid Film. The FF worked great and I plan on having it done again this fall before winter. It's just a piece of mind for me as I plan on keeping my truck for the long haul.

 

You do it yourself or you have someone do it for you. Mind me asking how much if you pay for someone to do it?

 

It was the middle of winter in Vermont when I bought my truck so I paid a local shop to do it. It costed me $90 and the pressure washed the underneath the night before and let it dry. They then undercoated the truck the next morning.

You can buy a kit that includes a sprayer and gallon of FF for ~ $100. That would last you a long time. I bought a few aerosol cans of FF from Amazon to do some touch ups of the high traffic areas. FF is good stuff. You should read up on it.

 

Im on the beach all the time with my truck. From what I have read fluid film plus sand is a no go.