Acceptable Rust and How to Fix?

Hi guys,

First post/question.

Just picked up a 2017 not too long ago. Underneath there is some rust. I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to rust. What is acceptable levels of rust? I know surface rust is okay, but not too sure of the line between surface rust and bad rust. Since it is a 2017 I can't imagine it to be that bad.

Are any of the pictures I included need to be addressed asap? and how do I go about fixing these?

From what I gathered here on the forum,

Clean off rust
Paint over
Undercoat?
Rust on drums are normal

If anyone could give me a bit more in depth on how to clean the rust and with what products it would be greatly appreciated. Want a head start on it.

Thanks in advance.

 

Trucks come off the lot looking like that. You're good. What region do you live in? That's the biggest factor at the end of the day

 

Boise, Idaho sir

 

Check out fluid film if they salt your roads, that will keep things at bay. Enjoy the new truck. As far as cleaning the rust goes, I like to use a wire wheel on an angle grinder followed by some black epoxy

 

Looks pretty normal. They make spray paints that are rust inhibiting or you could use a product like evapo-rust to eliminate the rust first and then paint or bed-line over it depending on location.

 

Ever heard of WD-40?

 

Fluid film here but yeah looks normal.

 

Thats just barely surface rust. Heres the rear end of my 1st gen when I got it. I ended up replacimg a lot of the stuff you see, the stuff I didnt got sanded and painted.
Fluid film is gonna be your friend.

 

[Insert post from 1st gen owner about how 3rd gen owners complain about minimal issues]

Welcome to the forum OP.If it bothers you I'd just hit the areas with a scotch bright pad and then a quick shot of semi flat spray paint.

 

Get a can of satin black rustoleum and a soft wire brush from the hardware store. Brush off the loose stuff and spray those items. Do this once a year. Fluid film in the fall.

 

Rustoleum rust dissolver liquid (not gel). You spray it on and it does the work for you. I’ve used this and products like this for years and can attest to the chemical treatments amazing results. Phosphoric acid is the key ingredient and many companies make similar products. I’m not a fan of any of the non-acid treatments as they consistently fail to get the same results.

Fortunately most of the items you listed are cast and really aren’t an issue for rust as they won’t flake and fail like parts you need to worry about (frame and mounts). Additionally, applying a rust sealer and treatment like phosphoric acid may make hard parts like you listed brittle over time. The parts like the ones you listed are cast because they are strong structure points that get really hot and need to breath. The unfortunate/fortunate effect of a rust treatment/sealer is it creates a barrier for about 12 months that may/can keep the heat from dissipating as it should.

Outside of that (assumption), you will be amazed at the power of a product like rustoleum rust dissolver with phosphoric acid. I used to use “Ospho” but it’s harder to find locally and is more than twice the price.

The product kills the rust, turns it black, and seals it for about 12 months if left untreated. The benefits also are that you don’t have to primer it or sand/prep it as it does that for you. I have used it ever since I started working on cars for over 20 years. I just treated a 2007 Colorado for my son and it completely removed the rust and primed it. Then I sprayed underbody paint over it and his old truck looks new underneath. No sanding. No prepping. His entire underbody is black and looks like new. We even did his rims and only used a top coat after overnight treatment of the acid. So far there are no issues noted after a couple months so...

As long as phosphoric acid is in the ingredients it should be good. Also, note that the gel versions do not provide rust inhibitors for that 12 month protection.

 

It's super dry in Boise. I would not worry too much about it.

 

That is amazing for ten yr old truck.

 

Unless you live where there is 0% humidity you will have rust. Surface rust actually can protect what is underneath. That layer of rust prevents further oxidation underneath. Your exhaust system, unless it is stainless will always look rusty as it is exposed to a lot of heat. Those parts you showed are pretty hefty pieces of metal. Unless you park it in the ocean (AKA Titanic) you won't have to worry in the lifetime of the truck. My chevy looked rusty underneath from almost day one. Was 14 years later when I finally sold it and it looked exactly the same. Fluid film can really help with appearances, but I tend to shy away from painting things. Unless it seals properly, things can rust even worse under improperly applied paint

 

Thanks for all the replies, everyone.

If the rust is normal, then the only thing I'd probably hit is the rear brakes. The orange rust color really stands out behind the wheels.

 

Yeah. My sons Colorado has rusty drums too, I didn’t treat them though as they tend to get really hot. Sadly Toyota chose to keep them as I agree they are an eyesore looking at them through those nice rims.

 

Thanks. Sadly it’s still a Colorado. Lol

 

Scotch brite and mavcoat.

 

This for your hitch -

 

Just got that!