How do you guys deal with chassis rust?

I live in SoCal, so there's no salt on the roads. I don't live by the beach. Well, I'm about 15 miles from the beach, but that's quite a ways and up high.

Anyway, my 2013 truck sleeps outside, under a car port - so the paint, rubber and plastic are perfect. It's waxed most of the time, so that helps too.

SoCal is pretty dry overall, but there is of course dew in the mornings. Some rain in winter. Like, last night we had the first of the upcoming winter rains.

However, there's a lot more rust under the truck than I would like. The frame per se looks alright, but there are many parts that have quite a bit of surface rust.

Things like the front skid plate, the tow hook, some suspension parts, etc. Note, I don't off-road mine so it's not because of offroading scratches.

It bothers me a bit as the truck is only 1.5 years old and 19k miles.

How do you guys deal with this. I can't imagine trucks in the salt belt. But what about guys in the South? Do you just leave it? Do you maybe clean and paint these parts? I think that at the price these trucks are sold that, better powder coating / rust-proofing should be done for such parts from factory.

Note, I don't think Ford, Dodge or Chevy are any better. But still.

 

Wire brush it good, then spray Rustoleum for a good coat or 2, or roll on a good coat.

 

X2 on wire brush and paint. Also use a scotch brute pad and clean it with rubbing alcahol or mineral spirits before your paint it.

 

Cover it in Fluid film afterwards,.i just had my frame replaced and coated it with fluid film, its good stuff...

 

Welcome to the hell of owning a Toyota Tacoma. I'm up in maine and see so many older tucks (dodge ford Chevy) with no rust...but I see plenty of 2013 tacos with rust! Get after it with fluid film or amsoil hdmp.

 

Rust Cure Formula 3000

 

Lol. I hear ya. Being in SoCal, I'm not too worried about serious problems with it. More a cosmetic issue. It's an ugly thing to look at when you look under there. And it's not like it's all hiding. That bit in the front, under the bumper, can be seen without even bending down.

 

I really like to use the derusto brand grill paint. It leaves a nice satin finish. Next best is just rustoleam satin. I prefer satin paint on the frame because it doesn't look chalky after a month and it doesn't mud stain to much like flat paints.

Sucks that they rust really easy, but still beats the he'll outta having a Ford.