Preventative maintenance for rust?

I have a 2019 Tacoma with 35k miles that was owned in the northern United States. It does have some rust on the welds under the truck. This is the first truck I’ve owned so I’m not sure what normal should be. Is there any preventive maintence

 

Fluid film is the preventative maintenance. I've had mine '19 since new in the North East and the underside is spotless with 33,000 miles of year round driving with all the salt, snow, and rain. Just did the fresh coat for this winter today. Well worth the investment.

 

I’ve heard about fluid film from forums but I live in the southern United States so no one I talk to really knows about rust prevention. So you’re saying I could put fluid film on that rust or do I have to grind it down?

 

Fluid Film is pretty solid stuff. You'll want to throw it on the existing frame including the rust. It sort of encapsulates rust and hydrates it to prevent any further corrosion. I'd recommend picking up a spray bottle from an auto parts store and try it yourself. 3 bottles for me covers the entire frame and axle so a bottle should cover all those rust spots for you.

 

You can apply it directly 1-2 times a year.

 

Thank you!

 

What do you guys do during the winter if you wash your truck? Do you avoid spraying the undercarriage so you don't spray off any of the fluid film?

 

Should have purchased a Pro....

 

I try to skip any undercarriage washes and keep an extra bottle through the winter to touch up the area that get washed out. Going on my third winter in Massachusetts with almost no rust. Frame underneath the film is in new shape.

I used to stress over rust but FF/Woolwax has put that stress to bed.

 

Rust on the welds are “normal”. Even in SoCal, parts of the frame and exhaust is showing rust.

 

If you live in a state that doesn't use salt IMO I'd skip the fluid film. If it bothers you hit the rust areas with a wire brush and spray some Rustoleum, or your paint of choice, and be done with it.

I go through a wash that sprays my undercarriage weekly in the winter. It does spray some of it off but mine has very little rust after 2 winters. No doubt it would look much worse without.

 

As a taco owner in Colorado, IDK why this isn't talked about more.

And I'm curious of the same thing, how long does it last?

 

I have a 2016, I had the Toyota recall performed. And then crawled under and treated the rust with wire brush and rustoleom. Since I have sprayed with crc a marine rust inhibitor. Either choice is good but weld joints rust. You should treat. Good luck

 

How hard is it to bust some rust, shoot some rustoleum on it, and call it a day? That takes like an hour?

 

Krown rustproofing for the Win!

 

I just did the 2021 with this stuff a couple days ago

https://nhoilundercoating.com/product-category/diy-kits/

I have a sprayer that really lays that stuff down! Blew it down the boxed frame up front. Blew it in all the body weep holes. Looks good to me,

I plan to recoat every fall. Salt is heavy here.

 

I wash everytime there is slush, snow, or water spray on my truck. Pretty much if the body has salt spray, the underside has it. In a MN winter, this usually results in washing 1-2 times a week.

This much washing does clear away the fluid film, but I reapply during winter too.

 

So does it wash off in the rain? Or is it meant to go on and come off, pulling away rust each time?

 

fluid film with do nothing to the rust thats there, it just will stop new rust from forming. If you are concerned about it you need to grind off all the rust and paint the areas.

Fluid film will though prevent other parts of the frame from rusting, but if you live in a area that doesnt have rust to start with that shouldnt be a issue.

As for fluid film washing off, yes it washes off, but no it does not pull rust off each time. Most people apply fluid film 1-2 times a year (spring and fall).

 

I would never grind off rust. Wire brush or sandpaper maybe. I would first try fluid film and see how it goes.