Is this bare metal/rust on my frame? (brand new 2022)

Hi all,

big-time newbie here so my apologies for the potential naivety of my first posts here.

I got under my taco today to bolt in some predator steps I found on craigslist, and I noticed that the whole frame is speckled with gold and copper colored spots.
I can’t tell if this is bare metal that is starting to rust, or some type of splatter from something? Snapped a couple quick photos. The whole frame has this stuff all over.

this is a brand new 2022 DCSB Sport that I purchased a couple weeks ago



Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Learning a lot on this forum, thanks for all your help so far!

 

Toyota welds seem to always have those impurities that look like rust when brand new. Mine did as well. They don’t do a good job of cleaning the welds before painting, so the paint recedes around those spots. New paint will not stick to those spots unless you clean them first.

So, this is “normal” for Toyota, but it is better dealt with than left unattended. Clean with alcohol and a wire brush and spray some satin black on there.

Toyota is in last place when it comes to corrosion protection on their frames. Even GM does a better job.

 

Those gold flecks you see are actually bronze. A result of silica bronze welding done to assemble the frames at the factory. Paint doesn’t adhere to the bronze very well so it’s completely normal for a few spots to show through. If it’s a concern or you live in an area with salted winter roads you can touch it up with proper prep and/or have your frame coated with a rust preventative. Be aware since adhesion will still be an issue, it could return in the future but there’s nothing “wrong” with your truck.

 

While your under there you should research and spray the undercarriage with one of the many items discussed on the form. Crc,fluid film to name a couple. Research and spray

 

If you live in salt country, you need to treat the frame anyway. Fluid Film, Wool Wax, Cosmoline, etc.

Don't forget inside the boxed areas as well.

 

Thanks all for the replies!

I live in SoCal so no salted roads here. I do however drive up to the mountains a few times a year (0-3 times/year), sometimes during snow season where they do salt the roads (I think)

I will look up some threads about spraying the frame/undercarriage with something, for good measure. This is not something I’ve ever done before

 

Modern lubricants and clean running engines make these newer vehicles capable of several hundred thousand miles with good care -- wearing out isn't much of an issue anymore, the arch enemy is now rust. The old "ounce of prevention" thing applies here.

You spent a pile of money on your new truck, protect your investment by spending a bit more and an afternoon and give it a good coating of Cosmoline.

Welcome to the forum BTW and post a picture of the shiny side -- we like pictures here, that and our favorite:

 

If you’re talking about Socal mountains like Big Bear, Arrowhead, Wrightwood, etc.. (and even most of Nocal), they use cinder rocks, no salt. There are a few highways in CA that still use salt but oly a handful. Most places in the state where it snows switched to cinders decades ago.

 

That's not rust, mine is the same, it appears to be silicon bronze welds.