New 2021 Tacoma - Need Rust Prevention Advice

Hello Taco Fans!

I picked up my new 2021 TRD Pro last Thursday. I live in the rust belt, and I was hoping to get some advice from those who live in high salt areas about how you keep your frames rust free. I had an older tacoma which had the frame replaced and I'd like to prevent that in the future if possible.

I have seen a lot of people recommending fluid film. My question is, after application of fluid film, will spraying the frame frequently wash off the coating? Or is regular cleaning of the frame not required if it has been sprayed with fluid film?

Is frequent power washing the undercarriage enough to prevent rust? Say, weekly when driven during the winter

Has anyone ran into issues with Toyota not replacing their frames if they had been previously undercoated?

Thanks!

 

Fluid Film/Woolwax. Cosmoline products are good too. Cosmoline is a bit more permanent though. FF/Woolwax needs to be reapplied every year. It's especially important to do from new for best results. Just be sure to avoid any sort of rubberized undercoating.

 

Glad I live in AZ.

Good luck, OP.

 

I'm in NY and use woolwax. Check out their website. I used about 5 cans last year. Got some more to apply again.

 

Wool wax, just don’t get to aggressive with the power washer and it will be fine. Mine was still there after a year. It’s a little thicker and holds up well. But yes, do it every year.

 

Krown.

 

Krown here also. I will be taking my truck in for it's 6th spraying next week. 2014 Tacoma is rust free and I live in NE Pennsylvania where salt and brine are used heavily.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtDWqUc6Brk

 

Oh and I don't wash my frame at all..... once the Krown is applied it attracts dirt and I just think this adds another layer of protection from the salt. I get the truck sprayed once a year for a cost of $148. Truck is parked outside and is on the road to work everyday during the winter and is usually white from the salt and I don't have any rust on the frame at all. They spray the frame, rocker panels, tailgate, engine bay, door panels..etc. They will have to drill a couple of holes for access which they cover with a rubber grommet. The product will drip for a day or two and even burn off the exhaust right after spraying. You can also buy the Krown product and apply it yourself if you want.

 

I ask them not to drill into the doors.

 

Yeah, I was leery about them drilling into my brand new truck at the time but I wanted to make sure it was done right....I don't even notice it....the rubber grommets they use look "factory" and I have removed them to check for rust and there is none. I also bought a cheap endoscope thing( $13) on Amazon so I could check the inside of the frame and no rust there either so so far so good. I'd like to get 20 years out of the truck or have it until I die....whichever comes first

 

Wow thats impressive! I live on the other side of the state but I imagine the climate, use of salt, etc is similar. It appears there is a krown dealer close by. I'll have to check out the product and their reviews.

 

Just my experience from using fluid film on my tundra for years...it slowly wash's off. By spring its mostly gone and surface rust starts appearing. By that time your lucky your going into summer. By fall you will need to reapply it again. When i got my new taco, i looked into cosmoline which seemed a better choice as it doesn't wash off so easy if at all for a couple years...maybe longer. Figured if the military, bmw, and mercedes send their vehicles out with it, stuff must be pretty good.

 

I know someone that had krown here....says it sucks, would never recommend it to anyone living here in the northeast as it doesn't take long to wash away once you hit a few deep puddles. Says its worse than fluid film by a good amount.

 

I've had Krown applied every year since I've had my truck and no rust at all and I would recommend Krown to everyone I know. I drive through all types of weather here and have never had it "wash away". Have YOU used it? Just read your prior post that says your Fluid Film washes off? Seems like you don't like anything...LOL

 

Never had an issue with Krown “washing away” lol. In fact, when fall rolls around I always take a peek under the truck and have a debate whether reapplication for the coming winter is really necessary as there’s usually lots of the product left.

 

Ive lived in MN for 36 years, I fluid filmed my truck 2 times a year since 2018. I have no rust and all my bolts look factory fresh. But, the car wash blows the film off after a few times, but what it doesnt blow off is the film that is up in areas that dont get washed very easy. So inside the frame rails where the rust rots the frame out keeps fluid film. I wash my truck every other day in the winter, so there is never salt sitting on it for more than a day.

 

Here is a good example of what Krown does. 1991 Chev Caprice. Driven in Ontario Canada year round. 460,000 km, and original paint. Still has all the paint on the underside of the car. Krown is maintenance, don't skip a year here and there. Its worth every penny in protecting your investment. Krowned my new Taco on day 3 with 40 km's on it.

 

spray fluid film into the doors, rockers, tail gate, fenders, and inner box side panels first. it is thinner, creeps into the seams better. then woolwax the frame, and underbody. re-treat each fall, before the first snow, salt event. Ski

 

Drive it, wash the undercarriage often and you should be fine. I follow this routine with my 2000 Camry and will do same with my Tacoma. Camry looks great and I did not use any rust proof products. I live in CT.

 

I've seen some side by side reviews showing Krown isn't as good as FF. But some people swear by it as well.