Tacoma Rust Prevention Experiment

I spray the frame on my 2013 with wd 40 before winter, still looks pretty mint . Though i need to do it again soon.

 

I have a can of that. Great stuff but kinda expensive. Are you planning on recoating every year?

 

Damn I'm going to have to try this. I've been debating for a year if I should have my truck undercoated, but I hate the thick, tar-like undercoating.

 

OP - did a little research on this and it sounds like good stuff. How many cans does it take to do one truck? Thanks for the heads-up on this stuff.

 

after installing my lift I'm definitely investing in a can of fluid film

 

I've had poor experiences with tar-like undercoating as it inevitably dries and cracks, allowing moisture and worse to get under it. I've literally torn sheets of it off rusted (Jeep) panels where it failed and rust ruined the panels under it. These waxy type coatings (similar to the familiar "Ziebart" treatment) are way more stable over the long term and I have no doubt they would be superior.

 

I just got a new 2014 Sport AND have been thinking about doing something like this too. I'd like to keep that new car undercarriage look! I live in NJ and I'm pretty sure they put enough salt down....even if we have the THREAT of snow ..to coat the roads white. My question is, with any of these products, do you have to use some type of a commercial sprayer? I have a half decent air compressor. Is there a relatively inexpensive spray gun I could purchase? I don't think most of us DIYers would have a spray set-up unless we're painting our own cars, etc. Also, I've seen a product called "fluid film" recommended on this forum. What's the difference between all of these? Price?

 

In the OP it said he used about 5 cans per truck

 

I'm using fluid film on mine. But I do know a guy who used motorcycle chain lube on his early 90's audi. That car had over 400k miles on it all on new england roads and underneath it was still perfect. It no longer runs but boy was it clean for a 400k mile NE car.

 

I used WD40 Rust Inhibitor on mine. Same waxy type substance as the OP described above.

Mine is a 2014.

 

Looks good. Seems like a no brainer. Any idea on how much the five cans cost? Either way I'm in!

 

This is some good information. I would however suggest that caution be used for the Amasoil MPHD - Heavy duty metal protector. Here is a link that warns about protection when using.
http://www.amsoil.com/msds/AMHSC.pdf

 

I'd be careful of what exactly you use. I am doing an experiment with #0000 wool and Fluid Film, Corrosion Free 3000, Bar & Chain Oil, and a control. The Bar and chain oil is thicker than motor oil and several people have sprayed their undercarriage with it but it is rusted almost as badly as the control steel. It has almost no protection in real life. Motorcycle chain oil is different (or should be!) but many use Bar & Chain which is for a chainsaw. Because there are several threads started by the OP (bad flinch? LOL) it is getting spread out on here. I have some results in another thread but am thinking of doing another test with FF, CF3K, Amsoil MHPD and Boeshield T9. So far in my testing the CF3K is slightly better than FF but not by much, they are pretty close. I do really like the idea of a wax based film but worry about heat with it.

Much of the really bad rust on the Tacoma frame seems to be near heat sources including motor mounts and I would like to see how each performs and holds up with heat and car wash exposure over time. I think they will all be close in performance but only one way to find out. I went with CF3K on my 4 month old Tacoma this winter because extensive testing by the Canadian military showed it to be the best option in testing based on methodology used by the US military vehicles. But they still use Krown for military vehicles in Canada.

One of the best protections against rust I have seen so far is in the owners manual where it mentions rust occurs most rapidly just above freezing with high humidity. Do not park your vehicle in a heated garage in the winter, that is only asking for trouble. Didn't need the owners manual to tell me that have known that since the 70's in Upstate NY. It averages 20 degrees colder per day in January in Mn. than there and that helps in the fight against rust. But does have it's drawbacks....

 

My god, all the clean frame photos. Looks great, do you people actually drive your trucks?

 

I have only had mine a little over a month, with 500 miles put on.

 

so if I was going to do this to my truck how clean to I have to get the underside of my truck before I can do this..the roads here are so dirty right now.

 

No, My 2012 is still holding up great. I'm thinking about doing a touch up treatment every three years. Remember I sprayed the trucks when they were brought home from the dealer new so nothing was rusty or oxidized yet. I just posted this because it's been working me so far and wanted to share. Thanks.

 

Speaking of using Motorcycle cleaners, solvents, for there not intended but intended purposes. I used to use my air filter cleaner agent to clean my chain with. Mix up a bucket and then let the chain sit in it for about 10 minutes. Comes out brand spanking new. Did that for years and never had more than the normal stretch issues with my chains.

 

If you really wanted to do an "experiment," you would treat one truck with the rust prevention fluid and not treat the second. Then drive both in the same region and compare the results.

 

Look at this mofo gettin all SCIENCY up in dis bitch. I like it.