I know there a lot of FLIUD FILM threads

Just sprayed my frame with 2 cans of FF.

the big question is how often should I re apply ?

I took it to the car wash before applying. There were a couple small spots where the FF turned tan color. Is the a concern?

 

FF turning tan in color is normal.
I didn't see in your profile where you are located, but I'm sure that will influence when to reapply.

 

It 'depends'. On the severe conditions it is subjected too?
I am an ff noob and have been experimenting with less than stellar results in key splash areas
Where all did you apply the ff

 

Every fall, apply liberally

 

JAY, you are like the Jedinite of Rust! You should be able to provide a wealth of information from your experience.

 

IDK
After inspecting some local salvage lots I am developing a wealth of knowledge of how and why things get bad but I am still in search for the truth and answers it is out there somewhere

 

Hit a nice heavy rain and snowstorm in Colorado yesterday so I am anxious to check how the heavy duty product held up

 

You really can't apply too much, IMO. I apply every Fall, but I know others that apply twice a year. Once in Fall and once in Spring.

 

That does not sound very durable!

 

It's very durable. I applied it this fall, did a heavy offroading weekend with lots of mud, dirt, dust, rocks hitting, then went and got a drive-through car wash - and the dirt washed off and the FF stayed on. Not sure what your definition of durable is or what kind of life span you are expecting from the product, but 6 months to 1 year is fine by me.

 

I thought you painted your frame with some heavy duty stuff?

 

I wonder what I did wrong
I was using the rattle cans on near naked steel and it just washed right clean off in the high splash area in the rear Wells by the spring mount? I applied in temps below 50 maybe that was the problem?

 

hm... i'm not sure. I think its usually around 65 degrees when I apply mine each year. maybe it is the cold not allowing it to adhere well? Also need to make sure you are applying it at the correct distance. I think if it goes on too thick, it could run off. but really, i have had good luck with it.

 

I do it 2-3 times a year just keep an eye on it

 

Berkebile oil makes a product called PFC. Its a lonoline based product just like FF but its about twice as thick. My guy applies this on my frame, it's like a gel coat. All the panels we use regular FF because its spreads better in the tight areas and inside the panels. Ive been real pleased with it, definitely grabs onto the frame better than FF. I do think FF makes a good product however

 

I already posted somewhere the "life cycle" of FF on my truck. I apply it before the fall when the temperature outside is over 75 F. But before the application I wash my frame with pressure washer hot water and soap.

Locally there are many "self service" car wash places where you just put a coin (or credit card) into machine and select how long you want to wash (you pay for the time). During that time you are free to select any type of liquid to be delivered to wand (machine logically orders it into "washing cycles" but you can select any liquid at any time for as long as you want, or paid for). So at first I hit the frame with hot water and soap (the normal washing cycle) and after I'm done I select cold clear water to rinse any soap leftover. It costs me less than 3 dollars and 10 minutes to wash the entire frame clean. It is difficult to do the cleanup inside the frame at the car wash, so when I get home I use my home pressure washer to wash any mud, dust or salt from the inside of the frame.

Then I leave my truck outdoor to stay for a day or two to dry out (of course the key is the weather). After that I apply fluid film. No washing the frame in the winter, normal car wash in summer and after the year I repeat the cycle again. The frame stays pristine, like it never left California.

If you are looking into "durable" meaning do it once and forget it, such animal does not exist yet. Any hard paint or coating will eventually crack or let the moisture under it and you will never know how bad it is till frame brakes in half. Any "soft" treatment will wash out, later or sooner, but it will never last forever. So for the quality of protection delivered by FF when applied every year I can live with that one year "durability". If you check my thread What can go wrong with my truck - or RysiuM build you will probably see another FF application post in about 6-8 months.

 

I go through 15 - 20 cans of Fluid Film a year on my truck. I know it's cheaper by the gallon, but the cans are just more convenient for me.
I spray 5 cans all over the undercarriage in the fall, another 5 in the spring, and a few here and there as maintenance.
As for the carwash, I'm constantly at the self service 1 in the winter. I just put $3 in the machine & I spray away. For me the key is to know where all the big holes that come from the factory are in the frame. I just put the wand in there and let the water run without pulling the trigger. I'm after the water flow, not necessarily the high preasure.
I know others say not to wash in the winter, but I cant stand to look at my truck being all salty.
An old timer told me not to park it in a heated garage in the winter when the truck is all salty. He said the heat will speed up the corrosion.
All I know is that I've had my tacoma for 3 winters now. The $200 or so I spend on Fluid Film every year seems to be working well so far.
I'm determined not to let Rust win the battle.

 

This corrosionx hd is messy drips and smells bad

 

Agree on no heated garage
Probably the top reason or two my truck survived 23 brutal Midwest winter's!

 

Ok
Some may beg to differ?
I bet I was sent some jank ff!
Black market stuff