Fluid Filmed Today

I've had my Taco since mid-2019 and I've read a lot about frame rusting. We had a snow storm a couple of weeks ago and I think it was the first time I drove on salted/treated roads. Well that got me to thinking about rust and corrosion and I researched Fluid Film. I don't have a lift so I needed to find a shop that would apply the FF. At least in my area, there are very few shops that do this (MD). I had to drive 45 miles to Gore Service in PA, a place that was recommended on a thread here.

Anyway, $148 with tax was the cost. My Taco had zero rust after 18 months. The tech pulled the rubber frame caps and sprayed inside the frame but no drilling was done. It took about 45 minutes. The tech said that I should be GTG for a couple of years before I need to re-apply the FF.

Wondering how often you guys apply FF.

 

I reapply each Fall. I'm in Utah and FF seems to really help. I have very little rust on my 2010.

 

Just crawl under there every fall. If it is still there then you are good to go. If its gone then redo it. Everybody will be different depending on driving habits. The guy who drives 50K snow interstate vs that guy who drives 5K with not much snow requires different things.

 

I guess it depends where your located for ff lasting two years....i've done my trucks with it....very lucky to see it last more than 5 months during the winter before all washing away.

 

Sounds like you got a pretty good deal. Unless you drive very little, FF is meant to be applied yearly (or more). But it will be worth it in the long run. For what its worth you can buy aerosol cans at home improvement stores or online for about $10-11 each. 4-5 cans should be enough to re-treat each year if youre inclined to do it yourself.

 

I do it each fall (year 2 for me). I just use about 4-5 cans. Might buy a gun and a gallon for cost savings. Its really easy to do yourself. I put on a tyvec bunny suit and some glasses and just spray everything trying to avoid the exhaust etc. Its really easy can't really screw it up. If you miss a spot the stuff creeps, or you see a little surface rust forming just hit it again.

Mine was about washed off after a year. I don't wash my truck much, but just drviing over snow, water, etc over 12 months pretty much removes it. The stuff not exposed to those conditions would remain (frame interior spots etc.)

 

Did mine myself with Wool Wax (Same brand as FF just slightly thicker). I was quoted $180-200, but I'm too cheap and bought a gun and a gallon for $65 and did it in the driveway.

Stuff is pretty messy but overall not the worst job. Looking back I would buy a better gun than the $15 Amazon one. Also the gallon wasn't quite enough and had
to purchase 2 rattle cans of FF at Lowes (I like it thick). So overall probably cost me $85 to DIY. You got a good deal though for not having to get covered in it.

 

How was 1 gallon woolwax not enough? I shot my 80 series, the Tacoma, and our Tundra with 1 gallon. I heat the woolwax first and then shoot through a Wagner HVLP sprayer.

 

Not the same brand. Both lanolin but different manufacturers.

 

Do mine every fall 4-6 cans lasts all winter no issues.

 

Seems like a good price to not have to get all that crap all over you

 

I need to do this. What spray gun do you guys recommend?

 

You're right. For some reason I was under the impression they were same manufacturer.

I didn't heat it up (was about 65°F out when sprayed). I sprayed the stuff everywhere. Took the spare off and got under there. Did the spare as well. All the suspension and gave everything a nice thick coat all over.

Definitely get away with 1 gallon if heated to make it less viscous. Also the HVLP is going to atomize the stuff and spray it in a fine mist. Mine came out like a clogged spray can lol. Like I said, next time I will invest in a better applicator as mine didn't work the best but still got the job done.

 

The pro gun from Kellsport the company that sells the WoolWax

 

This is the gun I used. Less than ideal but very cheap. I tried to modify the nozzle with an extension hose but it just didn't work right. Everything under the Tacoma is pretty accessible to spray though.

 

I did my 2020 in late September with FF. Used about 5 cans total. Initially i used 4 cans but later I seen posts about pulling the rubber plugs and spraying in them so I went back a few weeks later and sprayed a can in those spots. I found some drip holes in the bed sides and around the rear wheel wells too and took my long nozzle to apply some there too, since I see some trucks on the road rusted out in those locations.
I got a 6pack of cans off Amazon with a long hose nozzle for like $66.

 

I have their Pro gun from when they sold FF and it's been excellent. I highly recommend the extended 360° wand for the boxed sections.

I do mine early, a mix of spraying it with my compressor and using cans. I easily used a gallon the first year and then each successive year I've used a bit less and a big less as I have a great base coat going on. I shoot up into the rocker vents, the weep holes on the doors / tailgate, etc.

Prior to putting on my running boards I pulled all the rocker cover plugs and put the gun tip in there and just sprayed everything. Likewise I sprayed the doors with the speakers out and I spray the lips of the bedsides when I have the rail caps off when I'm changing over parts for the winter.

I hate rust.

 

Hats off to all of you. It makes such a difference. Probably the most important thing you can do to your Tacoma if you want it to last.

i use Rust Cure Formula 3000 instead of FF now (it outperformed FF in a big study done by the Canadian Military). It supposedly creepy and penetrates through dirt and rust to get to the steel. Check it out if it’s available to you, but it’s all good and every can you spray on is money well spent.

 

For those interested this is what four Buffalo NY winters will do to the inside of the boxed in frame area untreated....

 

I did Woolwax on my truck. As mentioned before, it is basically Fluid Film, but thicker. 4.5 aerosol cans did my truck and enough left over for touchups.

I just got my letter for the frame rust treatment from Toyota so I'll probably be doing that too. I don't think I plan to stop applying Woolwax after that though.