Tacoma Rust Prevention Experiment

I trimmed down a compact disk and tarred it on over the main opening for both sides.

 

Well, I guess that works to

 

Living in New Jersey and Vermont, my 2011 has seen 4 winters of snow/salted roads (truck originally came from Flurida...) After reading this I'm more than likely going to start using one of these methods. Over my years of owning the truck I've been spraying the frame about once a year with heavy duty engine enamel... Mostly focusing on the welds. Is that a poor method? Should I stop with the enamel and move to one of these methods being talked about here? Any feedback helps. Thanks guys!

 

Well, I just sprayed the whole frame, lots of nooks and crannies, tight spots. I used up 5 cans but feel like I still need 1 more for touchups and spraying inside the frame (using a spray wand). Did it over 3 days Front, middle and back. I would suggest making sure you wear clothing that covers you entirely, respiratory mask, gloves. Cover the floor with plastic (overspray goes everywhere). Cover truck body where the frame is near. Helps to jack up the truck to get to the suspension components and makes it easier to get under the truck to spray in those tight areas. Careful when spraying around the engine belts too. Don't forget to remove the skid plates and spray those and to get to the frame by the engine.

 

I just want to bump this thread because I've been using this product since I saw this thread years ago. It truly is as good as it says. You do have to reapply it every year but I like that better than the Fluid Film because the Fluid Film creates a sticky mess.

10/10 for Amsoil HDMP!

 

How durable is it to wet sloppy wash off in the wheel wells? Key splash areas

That is my biggest beef with ff
I have yet to keep it stuck there on a day of rain and sloppy snow running on the highway

 

+1 Motorcyle Chain Lube.

 

This has definitely proven wrong in time in my area at least

I even saw a 2nd gen in WI recently with tailgate rot along the bottom!

 

OP im right down the road in Geneseo area, also have a 2012. that looks cleaner than some guys i see with 2018 and up trucks from our area

 

One? And that was OEM tailgate - not aftermarket replaced after theft or collision? I'm sure you checked ??? ....

 

i don't know exactly for oem or a.m., they passed me on the highway lol
but yes, its the first one i have ever seen that i recall for 2nd gen!
seen a number of 1st gens around my area on the outskirts that are rotted back there, trying to keep mine from doing so!

 

Any preferred type or brand? I know jack and shit about motorcycles, but it looks like a lot of the lubes are similiar to bicycle chain lubes. Wax based. Seems like it may work.

 

I'm a few hours east of you here in the middle of the Adirondacks and Lake Placid seems to be the epicenter of salt usage since the 1980 Olympics. Ugh it makes me sick.

I used Carwell Rust Cop for my first winter season in my brandy new truck. It worked for a while but it doesn't hold up to the mileage I put on so I need to try something more sticky. I'm excited for the chain wax idea. I can't believe I never thought of that. I wish I had a lift so I could do my wifes Volvo wagon. We love it, but the salt doesn't seem to care!

 

Remember, just because it might stick / not wash off better, a wax based product might not actually prevent corrosion better. The difference would be the amount of corrosion inhibitors in the product. For instance, motor oil doesn't have a ton of corrosion inhibitors in it and thus doesn't do much to prevent corrosion when applied to a surface. Similar situation with undercoating. Although it sticks to a surface reasonably well, it doesn't prevent corrosion all that well and in some cases actually accelerates it.

 

Good point. Do we know how well the OP trucks held up over the years? It has been long enough now that those 2012 and 13 trucks would be showing some rust somewhere had they never been protected.

 

quite the interesting experiment you had here
did you ever run some tests on any of the woolwax products, they have LV, regular and HV grades

 

Just bought some Woolwax to try out with the compressor this year. Still have some Fluid Film in spray cans which will still go on the inside of the doors, etc.

 

Not sure why people are so scared of a little rust...wash your car after every snow storm and you good to go in my book.

Unless its a faulty part or you live in saltwater, a little rust not going to implode your truck

 

Fear of rust has caused almost as many panty twists as searching for the "best" oil