How to Fluid Film your 3rd Gen

Hey guys, I know there are a couple write ups on fluid film here and there but I plan on updating this one as time goes on to record the results.


First step is buy your fluid film. I did my old tacoma with spray cans. I bought a 12 pack of cans and went to town. Pain in the butt. This option gives you a gun to spray it, AND enough fluid film to easily do 2 tacomas 100%. I got this kit on ebay for $74.50 shipped containing a gallon of fluid film, 2 bottles, 4 caps and the spray gun. You will be spraying this at 60-90psi. i suggest laying a tarp down to eliminate overspray on your driveway.




I am going to start with probably the most important part first. You need to spray in the rocker panels. There is bare metal you can see inside the holes. The rubber grommets just pop right out and go to town spraying in there. Hard to see but you can see the bare metal inside.




Next I did the doors. There are 4 holes in total. 3 have plugs in them, one is open. I filled it up the best I could. You will have some drippage, but better soaked than not enough.






Then I took the grill off. 2 screws and 2 push clips and it pulls right off. These pictures were taken with the grill on, but you get the idea. I covered anything metal (except the cooling fins). All brackets, bolts skid plate, hose clamps, hood latch etc got sprayed. I also sprayed some in the engine bay like the coiled brake lines, any brackets not attached to the physical engine etc.






Now you can go under the truck, no jack needed. You want to spray everything metal you can get to. Now note you WILL have some wash off even though fluid film is not water soluable, areas very close to the wheel and the differential are going to get so much water sprayed on them that overtime the fluid film will no longer be there. You can reapply or let it be as you wish.


Here is the differential area, I sprayed the entire thing down, the back of the brake backing plates, all fasteners, mud flap brackets, spare tire rim and chain, the spare tire frame, the hitch, the inside of the truck bedsides etc. Once again anything metal you want to cover, bolts and fasteners especially



This stuff will not drip off, its thick. You want a nice even coat across the entire frame. You want to spray the frame from both sides because there is an inside and an outside. Any holes in the frame that are "boxed in" you want to hose them down good because its difficult to get to a few of the spots.




Make sure you cover the shocks, frame, bed to frame bolts, leaf springs, u bolts, frame grounds. Once again, if its metal and not wet with fluid film, spray it.




Even though the floor is galvanized steel, cover it!




You can spray the transmission and bottom side of the engine down. Especially the pans that usually rust out. Give all the bolts a good coating. I even sprayed the fasteners on my exhaust. Note this will leave the truck smoking the first few times but fluid film is not flammable, only the propellant in the aerosol cans is. So once you spray it, it's no longer flammable.




If you've ever done rusty brake lines, you know they SUCK. Coat all the fittings and brackets to protect your truck.




I sprayed everything around the engine and front area. Shocks, springs, mounts, cv shafts, sway bar and links, control arms, all the bolts, front shaft, oil pan, transmission pan, skid plate etc. Anything metal, spray it!






The best part is the stuff stays wet, so you won't lose your place. I suggest when you're all done going back through everything once more, you will find a few spots you missed.

 

Reserved

 

It does burn off....and it smells.
Don't forget to get in the boxed sections of the frame.

 

I love the smell of this stuff

 

FF after shave?

 

lmao, I don't like it that much

 

Eternally grateful- planned on doing this on the weekend and was needing some guidance-perfect timing and thanks

 

I got extension wands for my undercoat gun to spray Fluid Film inside the boxed sections and the cross members. It sprays a a 360 degree pattern from the end.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Undercoating-Spray-Gun-Wand-Kit-/190928051577

 

Nice write up!

 

Very helpful!

 

Nice write up. And for those without a compressor find an electric sprayer designed for Latex paint.

 

Great idea!

 

I live in Florida so I don't have to worry about this rust issue, but I have a question just because I am curious: The holes in the doors are to drain the inside of the doors if rain gets in through the window openings. If you spray this film in there, will it not clog these fairly small openings and trap the water in there?

Again, just curious...
Thanks

 

Well done OP... looks like your truck is in good hands..!!

 

In my experience, no. I got a little carried away spraying the inside of my tailgate (because that's the first place that rusted on my 2001 Tacoma). It's been dripping out of the drain holes for months.

 

I just got a 3rd gen. two months ago, was thinking about Fluid Film as well. Does this need to be done every year? Also does it soften the undercoating paint from the factory? I've read about it doing that.

 

I do Fluid Film twice a year, actually just did it last week. It try to do a heavy clean under the truck at the car wash before the fall coating. I also do it again around Jan/Feb/March depending on the year and how much snow and skiing I've done. I try to wash the truck once in a while at the car wash to prevent the deicer from building up too much but it's kind of hopeless. Each spring around late May, early June I start wire brushing, priming and painting the rust that develops anyway.

My trucks have never had a factory or dealer undercoating, not sure what that looks like. Couldn't say if the Fluid Film softens paint or not. It might, dunno.

 

nice pics gettingit done end of the month..

 

Lol... Sorry I laugh because Southern California.