Rust proofing

Getting new tacoma in September, planning on keeping it for some time. Was curious about thoughts on rustproofing or atleast undercoating Tacoma given Ontario's salty winters. Factory undercoating I assume isn't great but would it be ok for first winter?

Thanks!

 

Not if it was mine.

Fluid film if you DIY, especially inside the boxed parts of the frame hard to wash.

If that product is not available there, I'm sure some searches will find other good options. Many threads on the topic.

But what you don't want to use is any of the rubberized types of product. They can actually make things worse by trapping moisture.

 

Noted ... thanks.

 

Do Fluid Film or CRC Marine (cosmoline). A less preferred option is Krown - not as effective as Fluid Film, but you will probably find more shops spraying Krown, and it's certainly better than not having any.

Just avoid the dealership undercoating. That's the rubberized crap that traps moisture and cracks after a few years, leaving behind a rubbery mess that gums up wire wheels and sanding discs.

 

Can you point me to some information/studies that says Krown is less preferred and less effective than Fluid Film?? I have my truck Krowned every year and so far after 6 years my truck has no rust and I live in Pennsylvania....one of the saltiest/briniest states. I think it's personal preference as opposed to one being better than the other. The one thing I do agree with you on is that you HAVE to do something to prevent the frame from rotting out from under you

 

Welcome to the Canada section! Does your truck sit in this for 3 months each year?

 

Yes, NEVER EVER use a product that hardens on after application as an undercoat. It will make things worse as moisture will eventually get behind it though cracks or chips, accelerating the corrosion process as it gets trapped between the frame and the undercoating product

The best option is oil-based undercoatings, like Fluid Film, Krown and similar products. But these are good only if you apply them on a YEARLY basis. Their consistency is both their strenght and flaw. They have water-like consistency and will creep anywere, into the smallest crevice and corner BUT this consistency will also allow them to get washed off on areas exposed to elements. This is why you must apply it yearly

Fluid Film is an excellent product for this purpose, but it's expensive here

A good alternative and less expensive option is Honey Goo. Easily found at canadian tire and auto stores
Works just as good as fluid film, minus the smell
I only use this stuff now

But it can only be found as spray cans, not the 5 gallons like Fluid Film

 

Being a fellow canuk, rust check and krown are great options. I've used both as well as family and Co workers with great success in keeping rust away. I live in NS, so salt on the roads salt in the air

 

Many thanks everyone for the input

 

Again....6 years and no rust....I'll keep using Krown

 

Fluid Film for sure. Just remember that wash from the roads will eventually wash it off of the exposed surfaces such as lower control arms so keep a can or so around to reapply as needed (although it doesn't wash off immediately). Also be sure to rotate your CV axles to get the other sides of those. Krown is good, but as shown in the video; not as good as Fluid Film.

 

Krown

 

Over the years I’ve used Krown but my go to application now is Corrosion Free. Very pleased with the results for both but CF is clear coloured and doesn’t drip. Like other have said, it has to be applied yearly. Whatever you do, don’t get the electronic rust modules that the dealer tries to sell or even throw in as bargaining tool.

 

I hear great things about corrosion free, however like any rust proofing, it's reliant on who is applying it and how well

 

I jumped on the Corrosion Free train when I bought my rig,

4 years on and I see no rust on the underside.

Even though I was a noob when I bought the truck and got suckered into the dealership undercoating, the corrosion free has done amazing at keeping it moist and not letting it dry out. It seeps in behind the stock undercoating when I peal it off, there is corrosion free behind it and water is beading up everywhere I peal that crap off.

I am religious about application though.

 

I also got the dealer to undercoat my truck because I thought it would be better and they told me they will warranty any rust. The more I read this forum the more I believe I’ve been conned. Damnit! I’m not going to peal it off but will any product like krown work on top of the undercoat to prevent rust?

 

Wool wax or fluid film. Theres a handful of kits on Amazon; but i found it was a couple bucks cheaper to go direct at https://www.kellsportproducts.com/. Also found a discount code on a different forum

 

I got suckered into the free stealership undercoat after they told me my frame was fine and didn't need to be replaced.

Is there a way to remove that junk? That being said, whoever did it, did a terrible job.

 

OP: look no further than Cosmoline.

Very minimal touch ups needed annually.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rust-veto-342-cosmoline-undercoating.651180/

 

I have used a fellow out of Kitchener (Houghton Rustproofing) for the last 25 years with some fantastic results.

My 88 Pajero, which I sold last Jan after 17 yrs on Ontario roads, only had a small breakout of rust on the back panel behind the passenger doors. We had an 03 Mazda MPV for 10 yrs and it left us

It is $89 per coating and I get it done 2x a year. One in July or August - One in March