New Tacoma SR5 next Tuesday, what about undercoating?

What is the issue? Does one dissolve the other? I might need to do a field test.

 

Man, reading this thread makes me glad I’m in the south…..

The thought of spraying the underside of my truck with goo every year sounds messy…..and that’s just to slow down the rusting!!!

I’m so thankful I moved from the Northeast 24 years ago!!!

 

Well, I’m just quoting Zoo Truck. He’d be the better source for this info. This subject is addressed in the thread I gave a link to (first link). Post #113.

Zoo has done his best to enlighten folks here about the advantages of Cosmoline. He has experience with both Cosmoline and Fluid Film.

In short, you must apply Cosmoline to a DRY surface. Solvents will remove it, abrasion can remove it (think scratching melted candle wax off a table) but water spray will not. My 1700 psi power washer held 6” away won’t remove it. It isn't coming off unless you want it to.

 

I've used cosmoline (pictured, rp-342), surface shield, NHOU, and FF regular and black.

On a new truck, I agree with using cosmoline. It's the only non rubberized coating that doesn't make working under your truck a messy nightmare. My only gripe with it is that it doesn't creep once it hardens up. But other than that it's pretty hard to beat

I like the Surface Shield because it kind of acts like both, doesn't wash off easily and still creeps. But it does make things messy to work on unlike cosmoline

 

I’ve done FF since they day I bought the truck did about 12 cans first fall then summer check undercarriage for any rust. If you happen to find some wire wheel it off touch up with Rustoleum. In the fall you will probably only need to touch up a few places under the truck takes me maybe 4 more cans each fall. Most of the places still have the original FF I applied it doesn’t all wash off as implied above (unless you purposefully high pressure wash it off) only high water areas think wheel well leaf springs. My 19 came with frame plugs and all the white snot Toyota stuffs in there my undercarriage still looks new. I don’t have a lift I drive up on 2 Walmart bought black plastic stands and use a creeper to roll around. Takes me maybe 45 minutes and I wear old clothes and goggles is does not drip all over the place and your driveway will be fine. I live in the rust belt and have had 3 back surgeries if I can do it I’m sure you can too.

 

Gotcha - thanks for the link - makes sense. I’ve used FF for years, but never ‘undercoated’ with it. I got a few cans of Cosmoline for the new Tacoma. (.. and a gallon of FF, a bucket of axle grease, and a few other rust fighters ..)

The salt here in PA sucks - I wish I could could just dip my whole truck in FF! (or Cosmoline). Hmmmmmm

 

If youve got a compressor, get a kit with the gun and bottles of Woolwax.
I did it and its not as messy or stinky as Fluid Film. Plus, those cans can get to be a bit...annoying and wasteful.
Its a piece of cake with a compressor and gun, just point and shoot. Exactly what the guys in the shop would charge you for. Might as well do it yourself for a small fraction of the cost.
Also, Woolwax is a bit thicker than FF so drippage and the mess is not an issue. I think the kit I got was about 130 bucks and I have enough left over for next year. Just will need to buy more gallons as needed, but much cheaper in the long run than cans or someone else doing it. Got to have a compressor already though... If not, maybe now is the time to get one

 

Fluid film spray gun, $35 any air compressor, gallon of fluid film $42 lasts a long time even if you are heavy handed.

 

Fluid Film creeps better than WoolWax
Cosmoline dries rather hard, doesn’t creep well
Cosmoline melts with heat and/or solvents

Tons of thought as to which is better

 

OK, closing in on it here. I guess I will consider DIY. I could get 2 sets of those mini-ramp stands, drive up one and jack up to put the other under. And I can borrow a creeper. And likewise there is a compressor I can borrow. But I would have to weigh the savings against the work. I'm not just hesitant about my neck, I feel like I'm drowning in the List of All I Have To Do.

I can call tomorrow, but does anyone know (roughly) the cost of a Boss Wax / NHOU job? Or a Fluid Film job? I think those are gonna be the local players.

I looked a lot, and just no one posts their charge for anything but the cost of the materials. One guy on facebook said he had paid $1299 for a Boss Wax, which left my jaw on the floor.

But another question - if a really new truck has to be really clean at the start, how do I do that? Just spray with a garden hose from below? And let it dry?

And more important, does any product come with instructions on the can? I saw in a video the guy wrapping tires in plastic bags and the exhaust in aluminum foil. I don't even know what to spray and what not to. Will it be just YouTube videos?

And a lotta y'all are cosmoline fans. I'm used to those who believe in one or the other. Does anyone apply it as a business or is it all DIY?

And if I do it I expect I will want the equipment. Never done anything like this, so what (exactly) do I get and where do I get it?

Thx all

 

I don’t believe drive up ramps are the best option. You really want to have the wheels off when you spray (whatever product you use) to allow access to all sides of the suspension and hub parts in there. 4 Jack stands would be better.

 

I have jack stands but they make me more nervous. But you're right

 

I would remove wheels, trash bag the brake rotors.
I like the idea of wrapping the exhaust, hears that overspray burning off is a bit of a burning paper smell.

 

My buddy had his truck originally done in fluid flim, then later saw how well my truck looked with cosmoline rp-342, and decided he'd use the rp-342 for an extra measure of protection on his tacoma chassis. Idk why, but for some reason the cosmoline rp-342 never dried, instead his truck had the drips. It became an oily mess underneath. At any rate, we power washed it all away, and he stuck with just plain fluid film. The trucks be long sold.

 

I removed the chin spoiler, and engine plate to get up around any metal lines, and steel chassis brackets. Also pulled the spare tire to get under there to coat the tires steel wheel, and chain. Removed the rear plastic bumper chrome covers to coat all the steel behind them plus the hitch. I think this summer I will remove the battery to better get a coating on its tray....it was a weak spot for corrosion when I owned a tundra.
As far as the exhaust, it's very easy to avoid it, and if you do get some overspray on it, it'll burn right off. Only way to do the job is removing all the tires, and putting the truck up on jack stands. Helps to have a big old tarp under the truck. Just wear some old clothing, or one of those coverall suits with a hood, and a pair of goggles.

 

Easier solution with no messy spraying and other crap. Buy a "Winter Rat" and don't drive your new Toyota in the winter snow where you live....
Works like a charm for me.....
(only kidding, but...)

 

Move to Florida. Problem solved

 

see post #12 from me for the cost at there home office in nh. Everyone else will try to screw you trying to charge you 2k plus.

 

I use Krown Rustproofing, the best in the business.

I pay $120 Ca$h......

 

Been there done that, spent about 15 years down there between Tampa and Miami. Too many damn people.