Should I get undercoating applied?

Hey guys,

I just purchased a brand new 14 Tacoma. I was reading here on the forums about the first gens and early 2nd gens having frame rust issues. I live in Chicago and we get plenty of salt on the roads. I was thinking about maybe having the dealer do the undercoating, I forgot to ask about that when I bought the truck almost a month ago.

My two concerns are do I need the undercoating since this truck is not my daily driver and will not be driven in hardly any salt and will not get caked in it? Its sitting in my heated garage with 240 miles on it. Frame is still nice and black and the goal is to keep it this way forever.

Also, if I do decide to get the undercoating, how can I tell if it is the cheap stuff that just peels off and and attracts more dirt ( petroleum based?)

Any advice or suggestions are welcome.

 

Fluid film...start with a clean frame and apply it yourself

http://www.fluid-film.com

 

Agreed!

Read this

http://www.firearmstalk.com/forums/f35/rust-protection-fluid-film-vs-xf7-vs-wd-40-a-38007/

Undercoating can flake off and let water and salt in and underneath it. I just washed my truck and all the salt rinsed right off it along with the water I sprayed it with. It's like wax for frames!

Very impressed, I am actually looking into becoming a fluid film dealer

 

Krown or Fluid film ( lanolin based rust/corrosion preventive and lubricant)

Either is fine.

Krown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kvnp-BRvs0s

http://www.krown.com/faqs.php#what-is-the-difference-between-krown-and-undercoating-productsij

 

I would definitely do something to prevent corrosion

 

ziebart.....

 

I grew up in Wisconsin and never paid for rust proofing. I think the days of vehicles rusting out are behind us. I rememebr cars of the 70's rusting through the body, and the 80's has rust spots that were on top of the metal, but since the 90's, what have you seen?

Midwest carwashes have undercarraige spray to combat salt build up. Between that and improvements in technology (plus it IS a Toyota) I think you will be fine with nothing added (unless it makes you feel better when you sleep at night).

 

Holy wool over the eyes batman... maybe we can re-insert you into the matrix?

Check out my 2004... beautiful truck right? Perfect condition!


Here is what that truck looked like underneath:

 

Here's your average 15-20 year old car in new york if not taken care of (which almost nobody does anymore)




Sure cars do seem to rust less than the 70s/80s but the metal is also 1/3 the thickness so things get holes in them quick!

 

These pics are the exception or the rule?

Consumer Reports says this about rustproofing:
Rustproofing and undercoating. Don’t bother. Today’s vehicles are manufactured with good corrosion protection. In fact, Consumer Reports’ Annual Auto Surveys show that rust problems have almost vanished in modern vehicles. Standard rust-through warranties for most domestic and imported vehicles run five years or more, and many will cover you for an unlimited number of miles during the warranty period.

Remember as well this is not a daily driver.

I am sure if this was such an issue (rusting) Northern car dealerships would do it to all cars and trucks before you buy them and charge you for it.

 

You should see my factory trailer hitch, not to mention the frame rails. Body is good, truck is solid, but the rust is working on it All the little girls have to have CLEAR roads to drive on. So when they predict a half inch or more they slather salt all over the roads so thick you can smell it.

 

your from texas, you wouldnt be saying that in the northeast.

 

I would use fluid film, and do it yourself so its done right.

 

Yeah, I would say in Texas you shouldn't have much to worry about. Here in the Northeast they consider rusted out frames normal wear and tear, and let's face it, they are kinda right. I mean, I'm not exactly pleased my '04 rotted so badly, but it's kinda science. You put salt on the roads and drive in salty snow and slush all mixed with abrasive sand and dirt for 3 months or more every year and you are gonna encounter rust.

 

Just about the only scenario I would ever apply undercoating would be at the time of vehicle manufacture, or rebuilding/restoration when you can ensure a totally dry and clean surface. I have seen too many examples of a frame not being perfectly dry, and undercoating trapping the moisture with now no way for air to get in and dry it out, causing more rust. I just completely stripped, cleaned, and painted the frame on my Mustang (driven about 20 days a year, only in the best weather), and I didn't undercoat it for that reason. Fluid Film or something of that nature works great, but I personally would NOT undercoat it, especially this late in it's life.

EDIT: On my truck, I've never applied anything. I am pretty religious about taking it to a car wash and liberally spraying the frame down after any snow/ice/salt, etc. and I've been able to avoid any frame issues so far. Mine looks great. I think the biggest thing is that you spray down the frame regularly.

 

People who have never lived in a snowy/icy climate just don't understand, consumer reports included. There is a darn good reason people park their nice cars in late fall and switch to beaters with cheap steel wheels and snow/winter tires. If its a new truck and you will drive it in Illinois in the winter i would do it. Your call.

 

Yeah, I agree that I would check that area. I would be even more cautious about undercoating over something like that, and covering up any escape hole that water may have from that boxed area. Good call though.

 

I got my new truck undercoated at dealer because my old 96 4runner was done at dealer it had almost 500000km on it and had no rust anywhere and I live where they use salt.

 

Thanks for the input guys.

I think I will give the Fluid Film a try. But for now I am going to wait it out. Like I said I am not driving this truck in the winter and the salt will not be getting to it. I just put a coat of wax on it last night and lightly wiped the frame down with some warm water and a little WD40 in some areas.

If I see anything even small start to develop next year I will do the Fluid Film in the meantime I am going to ask the dealership what their undercoating is.