Surface Rust Suggestions

If this were any other truck, I would just accept the surface rust as something that happens along the way and forget about it. But, since I really like this Tacoma and don't want the surface rust to progress into something more serious, I'm posting pictures for surface rust treatment suggestions.

This is something I want to address before next winter. No rush at this point.

Here are pictures of the frame and underside of my 99 Tacoma. Note this is an East Central Texas truck that was most likely driven on a gravel road where the paint was scrubbed off of the frame. That part of TX might average 1" of snow a year. I don't think it will be exposed to road salt while I own it.

I do have a sandblaster for cleaning off any surface rust before treatment.

Please take a look and offer suggestions.

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As far as I'm concerned the frame looks pretty good. When you feel inside the frame, does it feel smooth? I'd either POR15/ospho/rust converting paint the obvious rust and pay attention to the rear sections near the spring hanger and near the fuel tank then use that fluid film and fluid film everything on the outside and spray the daylight out of the inside with wand attachment.

 

Thanks, Roger. From what I can see and feel on the inside, it's still covered in paint. I think pea gravel or the likes sanded off the paint where I see surface rust.

 

that lower shield/fuel skid looks not too bad, why is the frame this color in certain spots?
I am starting to seriously wonder if Toyota started using different materials/methods on frames after 1997
or am I just hallucinating in my old age

 

It might be from being dirty. It was starting to get dark when I shot the pictures. Some had flash and others did not.

 

it also doesn't appear that the cab and/or bed was ever undercoated?

 

Since you can, sandblast, treat with rust mort (phosphoric acid product), prime and repaint well with rustoleum and a brush or spray. You should be good for life in your state. The factory paint is thin and I check mine every spring, wire brush and spray with flat black rustoleum in spots that show rust. So far so good.

 

That all looks easy to get at with a wire wheel. Do that, then primer+paint. Wait a few days then soak in fluid film.

 

how about a powdercoat?
I was quoted $850 to bake that chit, no more worries!?

 

Rust has been shown to really work under the undercoating until the problem is so bad that you can't easily fix it. I would avoid that.

 

Gonna have a hard time powdercoating the inside. Not worth it imo.

 

I agree.

 

Nope. That's something that doesn't normally happen down here.

 

I just took the bed off my truck over the weekend to clean it, treat it and POR15 it.
I feel the same way about my truck that you do. I have a little surface rust but I want it to be taken care of.
One of my friends said “How long are you planning on keeping this thing, 80 years?”
I said yes.

 

Rust Mort.. Check out this Rust Mort demo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geymhjZsEBw

 

Right on!

 

Remember readers "rust never sleeps"...... do what you can with what you have.

 

Holy smokes. Did you see that??? Is that real? The surface rust was literally gone in what a half hour? Like gone, like, chemically altered forever gone. I gotta get some of this. Lemme know if you try it

 

Rust Mort is good stuff. It is similar to hardware store Naval Jelly. Phosphoric acid removes light surface rust and "pickles" the surface, etching it slightly and diminishing its tendency to rust for a while. It's good stuff and bare metal should be treated with something like this before priming.Follow the instructions on the bottle for proper application.

 

Rust mort/ospho/whatever is good stuff. I usually just brush off the really heavy stuff and the dirt and then apply it. Sometimes I'll do it a few times over a couple of days in case it didn't penetrate enough. After that, I paint, but I've had a hell of a time finding decent paint - it always ends up too soft :/