Rust prevention advice

Thanks OP for posting this, as this is a question I’m about to have to take up on my Taco and I’m pretty new to the subject. It’s funny seeing so much mention of cosmoline, too. One of my best friend’s first jobs was in a gun/military surplus store and a TON of hardware came to them coated in cosmoline that had been applied decades prior. I’d say it works lol

 

I believe someone had a bad experience putting cosmoline over fluid film. I think the solvents in the cosmoline caused the fluid film to liquify and drip off.

I start with a thorough coat of cosmoline, let it set up over night and then apply fluid film. Then an annual reapplication of fluid film.

 

What about PB blaster surface shield? I heard this was good stuff. Anyone use it?

 

How do other trucks in your area look like after 10+ years and what do they use ?

 

I've used fluid film, woolwax and surface shield over the years. I can't say that I've noticed much of a difference in either how they apply or how they protect.

 

Damn, he lives in Oklahoma. Just drive it
Do the ac drain extension so it doesn’t drip on your frame and it should be good for about 50 years

 

Bad advice.

Oklahoma DOT uses a salt brine mix on their roads.

FWIW, I don’t think Tacoma’s rust “more” than other trucks. I just think Tacoma drivers (broadly speaking) are a bit more enthusiastic about their truck and want it to last. Plus, the reliability of the drive drain is so good that it is the frame and body that are the weak link in the longevity chain.

I used motorcycle chain wax (had a ton of it left over) on my 2010 and then recoated it annually with spray grease (cosmoline). My truck’s frame past all Toyota inspections and never needed a frame replacement. I traded it in after 12 years for a very good price.

I’m a bit older now, so I take my new truck to NHOU for an annual spray in September.

It is such cheap insurance, I really don’t know why anyone would suggest against it.

 

A/C drain mod should be the first thing you do to prevent rust because it can happen to all trucks, rust belt or not.

 

Lol. So is it all good or all bad?

 

I’m not saying not to extend the tube on the AC drain, but the water coming out of that tube is basically distilled fresh water. I don’t think it contributes significantly to frame rusting.

 

Because it’s not needed

Two weeks of snow where he is

Vehicles survive for 10-15 years with 6+ months of winter salt driving

 

I've used T9 Boeshield for about 15 years. I apply it with a cheap air brush kit and apply it about every 10 to 12 months.

https://www.theruststore.com/products/boeshield-t-9-gallon?_pos=1&_psq=T9&_ss=e&_v=1.0

One gallon normally lasts about 5 or 6 applications to the entire undercarriage. You don't need to do any prep work other than knock off any big chunks of dirt if you have it.

 

All good. I've had good long term results with Fluid Film. After a couple years of applying it on my 4Runner, it hardly needs any more each year.

I used Surface Shield on my Tacoma this year. It sprays a bit better than Fluid Film (finer spray, less mess). Remains to be seen how long it lasts, but reviews show its similar to or a bit better than Fluid Film. I'd go with whatever you can readily get. I found Surface Shield at Home Depot and Fluid Film at Lowe's.

I just target the frame (anything painted black really) and rusty bolts, and try to avoid everything else. I can do a truck with around two cans, or maybe three if it's the first time ever treating it.

I haven't done any internal treatment, but the Tacoma is starting out pretty clean and rust free, so I might try it.

 

The surface shield, Is that PB blaster?

 

There's photos on a few threads here of rust forming on the top of the frame right below the a/c drain, so it's a well known issue. The weld seams are especially prone to rust.

 

I live in SoCal and seen plenty of rusted yotas that lived by the beach

 

Check this out
https://youtu.be/NE1_EiZIVHs?si=pvxfrCKvThqZpgWY

 

I've used Cosmoline on my 23 Off-Road as well and its fantastic.

 

Do it once, do it properly. Cosmolene, it will not wash off like ALL the other money pit crap that you will need to re apply every year.
Ever see an old weapon preserved with anything but cosmolene? No? Why?

 

It's made by blaster company or whatever they are called, but pb blaster penetrating oil is a different product. The cans look almost the same.

Fluid Film doesn't really wash off unless you hit it directly with degreaser and/or a pressure washer. I use automatic carwashes, and most of the fluid film is still there the next year. Like I said, after a few years of buildup there's not a lot I need to cover when I reapply.

Ever seen an old weapon go through several cycles of salt water then a carwash? Didn't think so. Plus these lanolin products have only been readily available for a few years. Cosmoline has been around forever, so people have been using it because it's all there was for a while.

There are reviews testing various oil coatings. I can't remember how well cosmoline does compared to the others. If it's better I'm willing to stand corrected and switch to it.