"Rustproofing" the new Tacoma

Is there a best product that the forum seems to agree on for my soon-to-arrive Tacoma ?
Are there products to absolutely avoid ?
I will gladly spring for the cost and effort of undercoating it if there is something worth using.
Minnesota winters and salt, so this is my one chance to beat the devil before it gets hold of my new baby.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/using-fluid-film.760731/

That’s the last thread on the topic. There’s quite a few threads and opinions if you poke around the site. I use fluid film and it works great. I would personally stay away from any sort of rubberized undercoating offered by companies such as Ziebart.

 

Fluid Film of Cosmoline seem to be the consensus

 

Woolwax has performed extremely well for me here in Wisconsin with similar salt levels to you in MN. Good explanation for why found here. Check this thread for discount code or message @bob1008

 

Thanks guys, lots of good info here, if anyone else has an opinion, glad to hear it.
According to my dealer the truck was made in San Diego, will take a train ride to St. Paul, shrink wrapped, and then a car carrier ride to the dealer, sometime "soon".
Hope to get a sunny dry day to take it home.

 

Aside from FF/WoolWax I also recommend hitting exposed fasteners and anything that lives under a skidplate or heat shield with Amsoil's HDMP. I live in salt hell and have found that it survives pressure washing fairly well and when undisturbed pretty much never wears off.

 

This ?

https://www.amsoil.com/p/heavy-duty-metal-protector-amhsc/

 

That's the stuff. It comes out very thin and takes a little while to flash off to a slightly tacky, waxy consistency.

 

Before you make a decision look at "Surface Shield" That's what I am going with!

(11863) I Finally Found The Best Undercoating On The Market... Blaster Surface Shield - YouTube

 

Took a chance and got the entire dealer all-inclusive "family utility package".
Picked it up last Friday; yesterday, Monday, crawled under and took pics.
Does this look like a finished job to you ?
Am trying to get satisfaction from the dealer, at least a free re-spray.

 

Fluid Film applied every Spring and Summer.
It now comes in Black.
Stay away from Commercial car wash undercarriage sprayers. It's recycled salt water. Freshwater rinse after road salt exposure. No need to pressure wash in winter but I do in spring before applying Fluid Film again.

 

Yeah, that's complete job if it was done by a 2 year old!
See if they will give you the materials to complete the job correctly.

 

In the 60’s, Do you remember “Ziebart rustproofing “. They were the most famous company to go to for rust proofing your cars/trucks. Started in 1961. By Mr. Ziebart.

I did work for a car rust proofing company called “Duro-coat”. Sales and service,70’s I also did some of the rust proofing for cars.

Not sure what companies still do rust proofing? But does bring back memories.

Going with a professional company may offer some kind of warranty’s? But no harm in DIY.

watching the guy testing 34 different products was interesting. Blasters Surface Shield sounds very promising.

 

I used the Surface Shield on my Taco, we'll see how it holds up.

SEM has similar products and their products are always top notch! I don't know anyone who has used it yet but ........

Rust Preventer Cavity Wax | SEM Products

 

Bottom line just about all the liquid stuff's base is lanolin oil. and it works.

 

Tomorrow I have an appointment to go back to the dealer and get it up on the lift so I can point out all the mistakes to the shop supervisor.
I will report back for your amusement.

 

While that is basically true, different products have different characteristics. Some stay in place better than others, some wick and seep better and some last longer than others. --- Beer is basically beer but some are WAY better than others! LOL

 

Went there today and pointed out all the missed areas with it up on the lift.
Fortunately they allowed me in there under the lift.
Responses were such as :
1. We don't completely spray the rockers to prevent possible overspray on the outside of the body. My reply was why not use a piece of cardboard as a shield as you go to prevent that ?
2. We don't spray frame cross members because they can be unbolted and replaced when they rust out. My reply was WTF ?
3. We don't spray anything in the engine compartment to avoid getting it on the engine. My reply was so that's like the cross members, Toyota lets them rust out and be replaced ?
Otherwise they agreed to respray all the areas I pointed out and if in doubt about any particular item I said please spray it rather than not.
The guy was cooperative in general, so I said whatever I do next is up to you now.
I pick it up in the morning.

 

We do not live in a perfect world. At the same time, you cannot or should not spray or coat everything for the reasons mention.
When I did rust proofing I too question my boss, how come we spray this ,but not over here? Impossible to coat everything without over doing too.

At least you are 90% protected?

 

Okay, the original product has a gloss black finish, the respray product has a dull gray finish, obviously some other product but I presume it does the same job.
They got the areas I pointed out, easy to tell by the gray vs. black.
I'm satisfied now.
Bottom line, inspect the work, whether you have the dealer do it or somebody else.
And, regardless of Toyota's claim that you don't need any rustproofing, remember your truck is only new once, cheap insurance in my opinion.