2016 3rd Gen Rust Prevention

Hey everyone. I purchased a 2016 SR5 two months ago. First new vehicle I ever had and since I live in New England I have concerns over rust. My question is does Toyota apply a rust prevention under coating at the factory, and is no further treatment necessary? I searched the threads before this post and didn't find anything that would answer this, unless I missed it. I also emailed Toyota and their response was very short but said that further undercoating is unnecessary and may void warranty, but they didn't specifically say why. At the time of purchase the dealer tried to sell me the conventional tar like undercoating but I've read many bad things about that kind because it would crack and trap moisture which would facilitate the rust. I'm very particular will my vehicles and since everything under that truck is in perfect condition I kinda of want to do what I can to keep it that way.

 

Isn't it funny that yota says undercoating can void warranty, but yet the dealers push it for thier $$$. One dealership adds it to every deal here in Maine.

 

Get a case of fluid film with there wand extension hose and spray everything. Don't mess with that tar garbage.

 

Check into fluid film. It works

 

My plan is to get it Fluid Filmed, it's my understanding that this will wash off if needed. My concern is what will it do to any rubber/plastic parts that it soaks

 

Like everyone else, I say use Fluid Film. I used 6 cans last year and also picked up a gallon of the stuff and foam brushes and brushed and sprayed it everywhere there was metal on the underside of the truck.

 

It does not affect rubber or plastic. It'll just make it shiny and a little greasy. It is also non-conductive so you can use it and not worry about electrical parts. I put it on my battery terminals, too. It's also really good at taking squeaks and creaks away

You can wash it off with a pressure washer and degreaser

Fluid Film is really great stuff

 

I've thought about fluid film but I've read that in some cases it can soften the paint coating underneath? Also if I do something it would be nice to just do it once and forget about it. Or maybe I should leave it alone and just wash underneath each week?

 

fluid film is popular, i prefer to just wash frequently in winter when salt is caking everything. and do the ac drain mod, that doesnt seem smart from toyota to dump that out so high ontop of the frame and it only takes about 2 min and $5

 

The problem with those is that they aren't going to have the same results long term as they do right away. Actual undercoating can crack, chip, and actually trap in salt and moisture. I'd rater maintain it every year with Fluid Film and know that I'm doing the best thing possible to maintain the underside of my truck. It probably takes 2-3 hours to clean the underside and apply the FF and you're good for the entire winter.

 

Fluid Film FTW..........I use 3 cans in the fall, and one can to touch up early spring......

 

Personally I prefer the black rubberized stuff or a chip guard. I just finished spraying mine today. Sprayed the same day I got the truck but since I sprayed it heavy I ran out and needed to order more. His stuff is best to apply on a new vehicle. If you spray before there is any rust, as long as you seal it good and cover everything, it's extremely effective. I recommend a recoat 1-2 years later and then you should be set for for a while, if not for good. I always spray mine heavy so when I do my respray next year it should be good for a very long time. I don't like the oil undercoating or fluid film. It's a pain in the ass to work on, builts up a lot of dirt which decreased the protection and dries up the oil/film and wears off quicker then the rubberized or chip guard stuff. Oil/fluid film should be applied atleast once a year to be effective. Atleast in the salt belt where I live. Plus oil is less dense than water so if salt water sits on it long enough it will work its way down to the metal and the oil/fluid film will move to the top. Sure on the bottom of the frame it will help but what about inside of it or on the top? A lot of people don't think about that.

Toyota sprayed a lithium grease or some type of rust prohibitor on the frame and inside the corner channels. Kinda was surprised to see that but given the Tacoma frame history, I guess they needed and should have done some extra added protection.

Here's some before and after.

 

What product did you use?

 

U-Pol Gravitex

 

Thanks,

 

Are you able to get inside the frame with that stuff? I wish Toyota would just come out and say hey we did some improvements with our rust protection and here is what we did. My wife has a 10 year old VW and I remember when it was new the car had a waxy type of undercoating from the factory. I looked under it a month ago and it still looks new underneath

 

Where can you buy fluid film? I want to try it this year.

 

Google it

 

Most of the frame is open "C" frame. So your able to get inside of it and spay it to completely seal it. Parts you can't get in well there are holes and you can just try and spray inside them. See above pictures for reference

 

K thanks