RP-342 cosmoline.

I live in AZ and I use it. I don't necessarily need it, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

I was going to put it on today but got a call to come in Thursday for fuel pump recall. Guess I'll wait til Friday.

 

“Necessity” is going to be a matter of personal opinion for the most part, at least in your climate.

With the relatively low effort and low cost I think the return of your investment is still very much worth it, especially if you live any place that ever sees moisture. Not only are you preventing bad things from happening, but it will also boost resale value.

Certainly avoid any overspray on painted (visible) surfaces. It’s easy to remove wet, but once dry you’ll need a solvent. Avoid the exhaust system. I didn’t mask mine off, and the smell wasn’t too bad. Obvious areas like the brake rotors.

 

It only my opinion, but i'd try to keep cosmoline off any electrical devices, cables or connectors. Cosmoline claims you shouldn't run into any issues, but this stuff is petro based, so you never know. As far as needing it....here in new england we have a high use of salt, and salt deicing sprays. DOT covers the roads with this stuff from the first sign of a snowflake, so its a real good idea to at least use something to protect metal against rust.

 

As a side note, my truck is very, very popular with the local honey bees right now. It appears as though the waxy smell is attracting them. I noted a few of them when I was getting out of the truck at the grocery store and by the time I came back out there were a lot more of them flying around.

 

I will second what @zoo truck says concerning the electrical devices, cables and connectors. In my application, I put a good coat on the frame (both sides and avoiding the cables and connectors as much as I could), the rocker panels (pulling the rubber plugs and spraying inside), and the exposed nuts and bolts. The rear differential got a nice coat, and I also took out the spare tire and sprayed the metal parts in that area as well. I didn't go too crazy with this first application, as I figure I'll look at it again next year.

 

Some very unscientific results of a quick test comparing Cosmoline RP342 to CRC's HD Corrosion Inhibitor.........
1. Odor. The RP342 has a much stronger chemical/petroleum smell. The CRC actually has a pleasant odor to it - keep in mind that this is coming from a guy that thinks WD40 smells great
2. Finish. I can not tell the difference in the final finish. It appears identical in color and tackiness to me.
3. Bonding. I tested both on the same piece of flat, galvanized steel bar stock. Again, I couldn't tell any difference in how well they adhered to the metal. Won't rub off really, but can be scratched off fairly easily with a thumbnail.
I also tried my 1900PSI pressure washer on them. From a distance of more than 12" I couldn't budge either product, even if I stayed in the same spot for a long time. Really only when I got to just a few inches away and held the concentrated pressure on a spot for a period of more than a few seconds did I see any material get displaced. Keep in mind, it could be because the galvanized finish is less easy to bond to than a painted finish - maybe. Either way most of us would not use that kind of focused water pressure anyway. I can't say if any material would be displaced a little at a time over the long run with repeated high-pressure washing at normal distances, etc.
4. Size. The RP can is 12oz vs the CRC 10oz
5. Application. The spray pattern (no straw) seemed easier to control with the CRC than the RP, but I was using a CRC can that had already been used some. It seemed like the RP dispensed more product at a faster pace.
6. RP comes with a straw, the CRC does not.

I don't think you can go wrong with either product.

Just thought I'd share.

 

What about the drive shaft, universal joints, and front half-shafts? Kruuuzen and others, did you coat these rotating parts?

 

I did not. I was mainly concerned with the frame, so that is what I focused on. I also hit the control arms and diffs, but wasn't worried about the driveshaft, etc. I think some spray the body underside as well, and even in the body cavities but I've never had any issue (or even remember seeing a 2nd gen or newer) with body rust that wasn't associated with some other type of damage first. Toyota's sheet metal coatings seem to work very, very well.

 

No harm in soakin them bitches. Soak away IMO, probably fling off, but no harm no foul

 

If it was in my sight it got hit!!!!!

LOL

Oh crap! That reminds me! I forgot to go back and spray the other side of the driveshaft after I rolled the truck off the ramps!

 

That's part of what I wondered. If only one half of the drive shaft has Cosmoline, could it potentially cause inbalance?

 

My gallon of Cosmoline arrived today, and I applied it by hand to my new Tacoma.

 

4-inch foamie and a chip brush worked the best.

 

This is all I used on the frame, crossmembers, axle, shackles, shock-mounts, differential, drive shafts, etc.

 

You could use the rest to make the best deep-fried meatballs at the country fair. “There’s just something about them”

 

soaked mine like a rack o ribs

 

Problem doing it with a brush it doesn't get forced into critical areas like spraying. You want to get inside those cross members and parts of the frame. Make sure you remove the engine skid plate and spare tire to get all those areas....imo, you can't get them with just using a brush.

 

Brother Zoo,
I don't have access to a sprayer. Bummer. I'll get back under the truck and reapply after I lower the spare and skidplate. Pray for me.
B

 

You could of bought a six pack of rp-342 in aerosol bomb spray cans. I guess if you don't live in the salt belt its not a big issue.