Undercoating a Taco

So let me throw this one out to the group.....my truck is modified out to the extent I want it. Nothing left to do (I think anyway) except get an undercoat on her which has never been done. I’m in Jersey and the salt brine they spread in winter will kill the truck if left undone. I do NOT want to do it myself due to a whole host of reasons. Unless someone has a better suggestion or has a bad experience they would be kind enough to share, I’m taking it to Ziebart and having it done professionally. $600. The service is a full undercoat including inside of doors and anywhere there is open space. Comes with a lifetime warranty as long as I get it inspected/touched up annually. Comments?

2016 TRD Sport
3” RC lift/level
TRD 17” wheels
BF Goodrich MT T/A tires
TRD Cat Back Exhaust
TRD Cold Air Intake
Bushwacker Matte Blk Fender Flares
Custom Car Grills “Tacoma” Grill
Roadwire custom Leather Interior
Infinity speakers all the way around

 

Whatstcp.....couldn’t agree more. I think when I bring it in and pick it up I’ll have them put it on the lift for a before and after look. I’m told that you want to be sure that they stay OFF the exhaust and suspension. I guess when the shocks and some of the lift kit wears out someday from being exposed that all one can do is replace. The exhaust is SS I think so that prob should have some decent life. The brine is SO much more cancerous than regular road salt.

 

I have been wondering the same thing and live in the same area. So far I am leaning towards Krown. Basically, I have found four options:

1) Fluid film. Go to fluidfilmundercoaters.com. I called all the dealers in the mid-atlantic area. The cheapest is the one in west philly for $215/application. All the others are $350+. This should be done at least yearly. Pros are that there are tons of people on tacomaworld saying good things. Cons are that it could do with a touch-up in addition to the yearly full application (gets pricey), and it causes tons of dirt/grime to stick to it. If you off-road, this gunk can lead to salt buildups, which you need to remove yourself periodically throughout the winter - defeating the purpose of getting it professionally done. Still, an option. There is a meetup in Connecticut in a few weeks on tacoma world, a guy here will do your taco for $40.

2)Ziebart - this seems like the easiest option, but many reviews state that this rubbery undercoating can trap moisture underneath and lead to much more damage over time. I ruled this one out. Oil-based undercoatings seem like the way to go.

3) Corrosion free - this product got the best reviews, there was a paper by the canadian army going over all the available corrosion treatments and this won. The downside is that there are only a couple dealers in the mid-atlantic, and they both charge around $400. Alternatively, you could take an annual roadtrip to Montreal and get it done by Canadian Tire - though I hear they hire a bunch of teenagers who do a bad job.

4) Krown - what I am leaning towards. Its $150/year for the application. Closest place to you would be outside harrisburg. Seems to have a good reputation. Cons are that it drips like crazy all year (though this is actually a pro, because it means it is working), and it can cause the rubberized seals throughout your car to come off. They also drill holes in your door frame to spray inside the body panels, which are barely noticeable, but still.

Interested to hear more opinions. I too need to get it professionally done

 

I got under my truck and already sprayed it down with 2 cans of Krown Rust control. From my experience it is a good product & I have used it on my other truck as well, Nissan Armada. At first my wife thought I was a bit crazy soaking the chassis of my brand new truck with some oil. I am pretty sure I may have missed some spots but some protection is better than none if roads in your area get the winter salt treatments.

 

Just checked.....I am in North Jersey and at least 2 1/2 hours from a Krown applicator. If they have to keep it overnight it’s just too far. Thanks for the detailed opinion....that was large of you to do. Is this meetup by invitation? I think it would be a hoot to bring my ride and gawk at others!

 

just search new england fluid film there is a topic on it. Krown won't keep it overnight, you make an appointment and it takes about an hour. I am also a 2 hour drive out but I think it is the best option. Read lots of avoid ziebart topics.

 

Krown or rustop. Both penetrating oils.rustop thicker. I get it done late summer or fall then don't wash until spring. No need to drill holes if they know what the are doing. Just spray it in through the many drain holes. creeps up and through the entire panel treated. Yes some smoke for a day or two. Live in salt belt apply every other year, Rust free vehicles for the 10 yeas that I keep them. Also protects brake lines,fuel lines etc. Eliminates squeeks and rattles. Saw a 20 yr old Impala rust free driven all winter had rustop applied every year. You get your money back at trade in due to a rust free vehicle. Takes an hour. Usually somewhere in the 150 to 160$ range for a tacoma size vehicle. Yep on a HOT summer day some may still drip out of a door or panel a year later.

 

Thanks for starting this thread. I also live in NJ and just bought a 2018 tacoma and preventing rust is the biggest concern that I have right now. This is the first new vehicle that I've owned in the last 20 years. I crawled under it after getting it home and laid there for about 10 minutes just amazed at how clean and rust free everything was - it brought a tear to my eye. I'm coming from a 96 80-series so to own something so clean and rust free is amazing.

Please followup with what you decide. My plan was just to buy a few cans of fluid film every year and hit the underside but these are some interesting options if they work.

 

Mine is 2009 and qualified for the frame coating at the dealer for free due to famous rust issues (my frame was fine before the coating though). They did an amazing job, looks and feels awesome, no need to reapply or anything. Highly recommend.

 

What product/process does that use?

I have a Tacoma on order and I think my dealer does their undercoating (along with paint protection) through Auto Armor. I need to decide if I want to get it done through them or not. Anyone comment on that compared to the others mentioned here?

 

What to do on the second year? Self applied fluid film the first year but have to remove before doing second year application.?

 

I decided to go with Corrosion Free. $200 seems to be a typical quote in the northeast. No dripping and no ruining the rubber seals like Krown. Also supposedly the best product per canadian army study.

 

Nope, just spray on top of what you have. If there’s chunks of dirt or whatever you can knock it off with a garden hose. I just reapply over what is still there.

 

I’m looking to do corrosion free as well. I’m in NJ, closest shop to me is in ct. do you recommend a shop you went to? Any tips ? Thanks!

 

Ya was thinking of settng off sprinkler down there for a bit

 

The place in CT is by far the most expensive in the Northeast. The place in boyertown is $295. All the other places in VT and NY are $200. If you feel like taking a weekend vaction to niagara , you can get it for less than $100 on the candaian side. They said to go in the middle of a dry week weatherwise.

 

I've been using FF and also spray the local guys here in CT. I might do a follow up spray Sept 23rd. I'm personally not a fan of any permanent coatings that can dry/crack and allow corrosion under the barrier. You can buy 5-6 cans yourself for the initial spray, do it annually. Maybe someone in the mid Atlantic could start a regional FF meet. Good luck

 

Known application is 30-45 minutes top. On a rack, spray underneath, pop hood spray there...off rack- remove tail lights spray- drill holes in side tailgate and door /door rockers- spray- insert plugs- done.

It does drip for about a week. I paid $130 last year and will be doing it annually.

 

I used Ziebart here in Minnesota, not bad, seems to be working great! Take off your spare tire (they claimed some lawsuit so they don't take them off). Yearly check in is easy, they did a good job. The yearly inspection touch up won't stink as long as the first time around, I believe they use an oil-based product as well. Check your seats and all over for overspray, ask them to throw you a free bottle of the remover.

 

What do they use for undercoating? Something similar to krown/fluid film/etc? How much for initial spray and how much for the yearly touch-ups? In MN and trying to decide which method to go with.