Rust Under My Taco. What to do?

I crawled under my new-to-me about-a-year-ago 05 Taco and noticed quite a bit of rust developing, still surficial, but in lots of places. The vehicle was obviously driven in the snow and sand of our New England winters, and maybe not washed underneath. I took it through the car wash with undercarriage wash a few times. But I plan to keep the car for a while. What can I do?

 

The truck 4 yrs old. Theres going be some rust on the frame. Not worry. Now is the time have it undercoated

 

Yup. I sprayed some Rustoleum on mine until I can get the under coat done. I am MOD poor, so I have to do the cheap stuff for now.

 

Has anyone had an undercoating done? About how much does it run? What exactely do they coat, and any suggestions on who should do it?

 

I don't know where you are at but I live in western PA, there is a guy here, Rick Fennell who has done rustproofing for 20+ years. I have had him do my last 3 new vehicles. He does free touch-ups every 2 years for you.

I have not had my new 09 DC short bed done yet but plan to before the snow flies.

He quoted me $400 for the new truck. He mixes his own rust proofing stuff and I believe that he has it patented?? Anyway, he covers everything and the free touch-ups seals the deal for me...

 

Where in Pa??

 

188 Freeport Rd
Butler, PA 16002
(724) 287-1620

 

you can always light sand and do some black primer. been thinkin about that on mine. Theres also POR but that stuff is overkill.

 

If you're gonna do that, the Rustoleum is a better idea than primer. I have some friends who are bodymen, Years ago I wanted to paint my old GMC Jimmy in black primer and just leave it that way...would not have to wash it.

They told me to use flat black paint instead of primer 'cause primer sucks up water like a sponge. The metal underneath the primer will rust soon if you don't paint over it.

 

Just live w/it.................its all part of owning a very $$$$$$$$$4 Tacoma...........who knows, maybe down the line their will be another buy back on 2005 models.

 

^Yeah,you can do stuff to limit it,but where you live it is inevitable;you vehicle is gonna rust out.All you can do is maintenance to prolong the lifespan of your truck or don't drive it in winter.

 

Jay and I were just taking about this.
His dad swears by spraying the underside of his truck with bar & chain oil & all his trucks undersides have lasted very well in the harsh salty roads here in VT.

He just did his this weekend & it looks great.
First a real good high pressure spray to the underside then
He heats the husqvarna bar/chain oil up w/ some wax then uses a gallon sprayer.
The wax helps with the adhesion
So now I am having him do mine

 

i used this stuff...only in gallon form. wire brushed and brake cleaned any surface rust, then Krylon Rust Tough flat black, then this stuff on paintbrush. it was messy, but easy to do on the lift at work. seemed to hold up really well this past winter. i can tell the difference in the areas treated vs non.

http://www.kpg-industrial.com/products/pdrp_waxy_film_lube/

industrial flat black with a rust inhibitor (krylon,rustoleum) will do fine. it needs touched up about every two years. just don't paint over the more severe stuff till you clean it up a bit.

 

I guess that's one of the benefits from living in Southern California, i left my 86 primered VW GTI out all year and there was no problem. I guess when i PCS again i will have to remember to take care of the undercoating before i go.

 

Yeah, thats what I was thinking, I just call it black primer because it does the same job IMO. Rustoleum is the shit.

Thats a different version of what we call "Fluid Film" Not sure about the waxy part though, I don't think I'd want that all over. We use fluid film all over our helicopters and planes to prevent salt water from getting into areas where it will corrode and eat away at important parts. The key word in this product is "water-displacing". No water, no corrosion/rust. It works good, but I have to ask you if this stuff is collecting all the dust from the road where you have applied it, because it never truly dries.....

 

Jay bought a gallon of that Husqvarna chain/bar oil at Lowes $10 & block of wax. Will post up some before & after pics when he finishes the truck

 

Don't listen to anyone not educated on the subject. Doing nothing is foolish and will only cost you more later.

The best thing is to treat it when new before it even is subjected to the stuff. Unfortunately, it sounds like the chump that owned it before you didn't bother.

I would clean it up (prep) as best i can. Take your time and do it once. Research the products and do what you need to do. I would also consider having it treated after you finish treating the suspect areas.

I personally went with a product called 'carwell' before the salt ever flew.

http://www.carwell.com/test.html

This is the waxy oily stuff they not only coats the frame but they pressure spray the stuff inside all of the panels. Took about an hour and costs about $100.00 per. A little of the excess will still ooze out of drain holes when it gets hot out, 6 months later. It repels moisture and continues to seep deep into hidden nooks and crannies. Way better than a rubber undercoat as far as providing protection from rust.

I will hit it again this fall and then possibly look into a similar do it yourself material for touch ups after that, or have them do it every year or every 2 years. Probably worth the $100 a year just to not have to deal with the mess.

 

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