Does someone have written proof that Fluid Film will not void frame/rust warranty??

Hi all,

I've search and searched there and on the internet for the answer for this question ....

Apologies if this looks like a rant ....

I have a 2012 Taco with low mileage (8K) - that I bought new. I realize that the "Frame" should be OK since Toyota made frame process/supplier changes prior to the 2012. However, I plan on keeping this vehicle 10 years plus and I'm willing to pay to get extra protection for rust. I started looking at Fluid Film as a less permanent solution vs. hard undercoating.

Now the Question - "IF" my frame should rust out I do not want Toyota to refuse fix/replacement due to my "aftermarket" rust prevention ....

So I contacted Fluid film and got this response ....
" .....Unfortunately we would have no way of knowing about any factory rust warranty. So we are not qualified to provide any comment on this. I would recommend that you call Toyota Customer Service and ask them directly. Since they provide the warranty, they would be the best source for the information.
......"

So then I contacted Toyota and got this response ......
Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

We apologize as we do not recommend or assist with recommendation of after market parts or accessories.

After market parts or accessories could affect the performance, safety or durability, and may violate government regulations. Non-Genuine Toyota Parts, or any damage or failures resulting from their use, are not covered by any Toyota warranty.

Your email has been documented at our National Headquarters. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us ...."
So now what do I do ..... ?

a.) Trust that Toyota has fixed the Issue ??
b.) Trust that my fluid film or other coating/preventer fixes any problem so at the warranty will not be needed ....
c.) Punt - and it get it coated anyway.

Does anyone have a Toyota or Rustproofer that will guarantee that the coating will not void the Toyota Warranty - and have it in writing ???


Thanks all for reading this far ....


Canufixit

 

I would skip on the Fluid Film. God forbid your frame still manages to rust, Toyota (just like any company) is going to take the first chance they can to not have to fulfill their warranty which would cost them money. If they have fixed the issues, no worries. If they haven't, the warranty is there for a fall-back.

Maybe look back into it when the warranty is expired? Not sure how well the Fluid Film is going to work when the truck gets to that age/mileage.

 

Thanks GuitarGuy91 This has been what I've been leaning towards sice I bought it new .... Glad to see someone has similar thoughts.



Canufixit

 

Why not just have toyota undercoat the frame? They did it for the 01-04 that had rust issues

 

Fluid film comes off eventually, especially with a pressure washer so you'd have no problem getting it off if a warranty issue arises. Fluid film all you need.

 

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

 

Hi wildjerseyfirefighter , You are correct ... I should have resolved this issue at the dealer during my purchase. I just Emailed them and asked if they get it done. If they do not - I'll call the service manager and see what they have for other options ....

Also - I also thought the response from Toyota was kinda a left handed warning ...
".... Your email has been 'documented at our National Headquarters'. "

Kind of like we know you want to and if you do and have an issue later we have email that we told you not to and now you are on your own .....

 

Just my opinion but undercoating with one of those firm or rubber style undercoats is gonna do alot more damage than simply doing nothing. That stuff cracks and chips and peels and when it does moisture and road salt trap between it and the metal and hold it there. Its makes it very hard to clean out and honestly causes more rust. Truth is if you want the best rust protection have it oil undercoated. If your not familiar with that its literally having the entire undercarriage sprayed with oil. Some place use used motor oil but better shops will use new bar oil for chainsaws ( thicker sticks better). Usually they will pull plugs out of rockers cab corners and other panels and spray the body work down too. Its messy and it stinks for a couple days and it smokes like crazy till the oil burns off your exhaust but you cant get better rust protection. And its oil so I cant imagine that would cause a warranty issue? Just a thought for you. Oh and a little tip if you do have one oiled take it and run your truck up and down dry dusty dirt roads if you can find a few. The dust gets caught all through the oil and makes it thicker and tacky like grease. Just prevents it from wearing off as fast. Last year I paid $70 to have this done with new bar oil. I have it done every year usually in the fall and I dont have rusty frames.

 

FF FROM DAY ONE.
Have them spray it AFTER IT STARTS TO RUST????
No way.
Like others have said. I can power wash off the excess if necessary.
If they start to spray the 011's I might pass. The stuff does not work and falls off with the rust...

 

You're over thinking this. The Navy uses it and those ships are in salt water all the time. Use the Fluid Film BEFORE the rust starts, save yourself a shitload of scraping, wirebrushing and painting. Any new vehicle I get from now on, I'm Fluid Filming as soon as I get home from the dealer.

 

I fluid film my truck two or three times a year since the first year I had it. It's just like spraying an oil under your truck and you can wash it off if you want with a pressure washer, so how would they even know?

The hard/rubber coating from Toyota will probably eventually crack and get compromised, rotting your frame from the inside out with no visibility into what's happening. I'd use oil or fluid film or some other oil spray that creeps, so you can see what's going on and address it if you have to.

I personally figure if my truck still rusts out using fluid film, then I'll just trade it in for a new one with high re-sale value right before it gets to severe. My advice is use the Fluid Film by the case and don't let it even come down to a decision by Toyota to replace a frame or not.

 

Fluid Film seems to be doing well for me. It seems to creep into the metal and doesn't appear to get dry or brittle at all. I like the shit.

 

Thanks All for your inputs... and testimonials .
As my OP eluded to, I found lots of " .... you should not have a problem" or " it should not affect the warrantee" (or perhaps a late frame recall? , etc. etc. ). Some outright say it will not void the warrantee ... but no one references any docs to the effect. I want to do this with the OK in writing from someone .... The Coating dealer and/or Toyota. After spending over $20K I do not want to void any warranty or recall I may be eligible for later down the line.

Canufixit

 

You will never get it writing that it will not void warr.
So let it rust or prevent it. Let the chips fall where they may.

 

I spayed mine twice already and it came through winter and looks brand new...I do not worry about it at all. Fact is: fluid film prevents rust, tacomas have a track record of rusty frames, it's like waxing your paint, it will not void your warranty if you protect your paint

 

Just because you are Paranoid does not mean that they are not out to get you.

You are way over thinking this and you are paranoid.

They would have to Prove that the Fluid Film caused the premature failure.

Key word is prove.

Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act.

http://www.mlmlaw.com/library/guides/ftc/warranties/undermag.htm

 

This...burden of proof falls on them to show that you putting fluid film on the frame directly caused the damage. If they are issuing a recall for frames with rust, and you bring in a rusty frame, they cannot prove that your process caused the damage. In fact, you could essentially use the fact that they issued a recall for that reason to prove otherwise.

 

I have a 2012 and several bottles of fluid film I have been waiting to spray on. I rather prevent the rust than spend hours and hours of my time trying to get Toyota to fix my frame 10+ years from now. Sounds like a headache I can avoid.

 

First - Thanks All for the Replies.... I'm leaning on just getting the Fluid Film every couple years (as I drive little in the Winter).

Second - I read, multiple times, the Warranty Act linked above and I see no reference to a "proof" required by the Seller.....

 

Legally, burden of proof would fall on them since they are claiming you did something that caused something. They have to prove this.