How harmful is this and how do I fix it?

Hey taco fans, I’m trying to avoid creating multiple threads so I’ll attack a couple of photos in this one to get your guys’ opinions on stuff. The first picture is under my truck after living in a state with real winters where they salt the roads. Is there anything wrong with what you see and will I have problems with it? The second and third images is some recent fading I’ve noticed that wasn’t there before especially on the Toyota logo up front. What do you use to clean it and the headlights? Thanks guys.

 

Exhaust pipes are not typically painted, so yes they rust. However, in my experience, modern exhaust lasts 10+ years even in road salt climates. In the 1980’s I was lucky to get 5 years.

 

Can I apply something to it now even though it has mild rust already to have it last a little longer?

 

Gasoline might work. I haven’t tried it though. I hope you realize I’m kidding.

No do not put any petroleum based product on your exhaust. It gets hot.

 

Make sure to inspect the problem areas on the frame. Make sure to address them now, with paint or fluid film. You don't want to get a rusted out frame.

 

Definitely clean up and treat your frame. But I would not sweat the exhaust pipe. At some point you might get rust holes but you may not be in the driver's seat by then. And if you are then just get a new exhaust pipe. They do sell kits to clean up plastic, but proceed with caution as I have not heard great things about them. From what I understand, once you expose new plastic you just start the "crapping" process all over again.

But then again, what the hell do I know?

 

If you live in salt land and don't clean and protect your frame annually it will eventually be a big problem. Much more than a rusty exhaust pipe

Cerakote headlight restorer works pretty well for me

 

The frame will far out last the exhaust and the all the rest of the truck. No one I know in Minnesota worries about their frame failing due to rust. I think we need to stomp out that often repeated FUD.

 

Can confirm.

 

I do believe this is true as well. It's more of an emotional thing; people hate rust! Especially people who remember the days of rust eating cars for lunch!

 

What year?
How many miles?
Looks to me like typical wear from following/tailgating others and not washing off road grime and salt regularly.
Exhaust is made of stainless steel so surface rust/stain is not a big deal.
I'd say just leave it.
It's a truck.

 

Do you have any products to recommend for the frame?

 

’19 with 90k miles. I did an undercarriage wash a few times in the winter and definitely avoided tailgating.

 

I don't live in "rust country" so I really don't have much experience with those products. But we have many here who do and they will certainly chime in with reommendations. Everyone appears to have their favorites for a variety of reasons.

 

Here are a few other tips/facts:

- painted steel does not rust, paint, powder coat, and similar treatments are the best rust prevention for parts exposed to friction
- rust development requires water, salt is not necessary, it only speeds the process when water is present
- the rust that you need to most worry about is the rust you can’t see. When water gets inside places like your frame and cannot escape or evaporate, it can cause a big issue over time.

 

Cerakote worked great on a 2012 Camry and 2009 Honda CR-V I have. The pics are the Honda.

 

I live in Minnesota and frame rot is real. For proof just look at any 15-20 year old truck for sale.
If you plan to sell your truck in less than 5-10 years then don't worry about it because it will be someone else's problem. But if you want to keep the truck for the foreseeable future spray this stuff on your frame once a year.
Make sure to get in every nook and cranny you can. And spray inside your rockers.

https://www.woolwaxusa.com/WoolWax-Undercoat-Kit-4-Quarts-PRO-GUN-Straw-or-Black_p_42.html

Or at the absolute very least run it through a carwash regularly in the winter.

And as for the exhaust I wouldn't worry about it, a few hundred dollars for a new exhaust in 15 years is nothing compared to the $8,000 to get a new frame.

 

What is your definition of “frame rot”? How many 10-15 year old frames have you seen that failed due to rust?

 

Gotta wash the whole thing top to bottom and underneath as much as possible and definitely when dirty and salty.
Not just "undercarriage".

 

If you want to let your frame rust away because $30 of wool wax/year and an afternoon of work is too much for you then go ahead. But I have seen enough rusted to shit frames to not want to deal with that.

And if you want to argue about it, don't bother because this is my one and only response.