Rust protection

Hi, I'm purchasing a new 2020 tacoma and will be driving it every winter with salty roads. I see everyone talking about fluid film. Does it really work wonders for protection? Do I just crawl under truck and go to town spraying every peice of metal? As well what is the rust inhibitor spray that the dealership offers any good? And is it worth it for them to apply before buying thanks

 

Yes
Yes
no Idea.
Unlikely

 

Fluid Film attracts dirt and needs to be reapplied every season.
I would put a base layer of CRC or some other cosmoline product and then use fluid film on top.
The CRC is harder and more durable, but then the fluid film can seep and doesn't crack

 

You only need fluid film. I'm going into my 3rd winter. First 2 had heavy salt and brine. Just applied fluid film again. While under there I notice my truck is spotless of rust.buddy of mine, same truck purchased same month. No fluid film. Looks like a 7 year old truck under there.

 

How do you deal with the dirt buildup?

 

Most dealers offer a coating also.... depending how much you want to spend or how dirty you wanna get at home. Under body when new are the easiest to spray and keep in like new condition

 

If you want, you can pressure wash it off in the spring/summer. I don't get much dirt build up on my vehicles using rust check, which is similar to fluid film.

 

Iv seen good results with a dealer that sprays noxudol 1100 on the frame and a wax for the inside. Actually created a hard coating and haven’t seen any flake off... almost like it’s a permanent rust preventer. Almost should be sprayed on before taking delivery of vehicle

 

I just pressure wash in spring and fluid film in fall. Easy as that. And it works

 

Rust check is great stuff. Had it done a couple years ago in Maine but now I’m in Vermont. Where are you located, Canada?

 

So do you just buy multiple spray cans of fluid film and crawl right under truck? Seems like a messy job without a lift haha

 

So is that the rust inhibitor spray that the toyota dealer offers for $399 before purchase?

 

You would need to ask what they use....

 

Drive it up on ramps, get a creeper, and you can try Woolwax for less mess. A little thicker, doesn’t smell as bad. But either way, you can buy a gallon and a spray can for your air compressor, or I think most people use 4-6 spray cans if you go that route.

 

Basically yes. I removed the tires plus the spare, and engine skid plate shield after putting it up on jack stands. I've used fluid film in the past on my tundra, but got tired of having to reapply it every year. This time i used cosmoline on my new tacoma before it could get dirty. Was surprised i live off a dusty dirt road. This stuff doesn't collect any where the dirt fluid film did. Hopefully the cosmoline will last a few years before needing to apply it again. Imo, when applying any of this stuff try to avoid spraying it on any electrical components, or cables/wire harness's.

 

Yes, Nova Scotia. I buy a 5 gallon bucket of rust check and bought a nice sprayer and various wands and do it myself. That way I know what is done. Rust proofing is only as good as the person applying it,and I've found that varies greatly.

I also take some grease (lucus red and tacky) and apply it to the front of the rear Axel and the front of the lower control arms as I find these areas get pelted and the rust check doesn't last all winter

 

Fluid Film! Every fall. Do it.

 

Yes, it really does work, and it's worth it. I have been using it for 6 to 7 years, after researching for years. Ever since my little sports car rusted away back in the 70s.

Yes, spray all the metal...but also don't be afraid to get it on the rubber and plastic parts. I basically sprayed everything on the underside of my `18, except the exhaust system and the brake rotors. I just got done doing my pre-winter inspection, (going into third winter), only needed to touch-up where I scrubbed the trailer hitch on some gravel.

Yes, I still use "rattle cans", ramps, and a lot of cardboard. It would be a lot nicer (and cleaner) with a lift and the dedicated sprayer.

No, at least, the stuff that my dealership uses is more like a wax. It will protect where it hits and sticks, but wont wick and protect the hairline gap between the seams.

Now, if you get any of the schmutz (dirty residue) on on your clothes, it will come off in the wash. It is a pain the the backside to have to clean the stuff off before you work on whatever it is you want to work on, and then reapply after you are done...but worth it. To clean, I spray the area with Super Clean, or similar, let it soak for 5 minutes and then power wash off.

 

I wish the states had more access to it..

 

Even in western WA we use some NaCl salt and other salt compounds along with goopy liquidous de-icers. And of course it is wet 10 out of 12 months. Not near the rustomatic cars I have seen in other parts of the country but if close to the coast (or not) there is rust. My 2019 frame is fine, but exposed steel, the leaves, ends of front wheel parts and such started to turn the first year (normal). Since small areas I use a thin penetrant preservative and follow up with Amsoil HDMP which is pretty waxy. All those areas still look quite nice. Especially the leaf springs and shackles which get noisy.

I think after this winter I will powerwash and coat just to keep my frame pristine.