Undercoating/Rustproofing?

My used taco came from the north being exposed to a lot of salt and it seemed the past owners didn't wash it that often. There are some spots of surface rust. I'm currently looking to fix this issue. It seems power washing is enough to remove and if needed, sanding. If anyone has done this on their own, any advice?

I am also curious about services like undercoating and rustproofing. Has anyone done any of these two? Recommendations on what chemicals should be used? Complaints? Myths?

Trying to make it so my truck lasts and stays in good condition.

Thanks

 

A lot of people on here talk about using Fluid Film to protect against rust.
I'm sure someone will get on here with more information to help you out.

 

I went to Menards and picked up three cans of surface shield and did my truck in about 20 minutes. a painter’s mask with filters is definitely recommended.

 

Cosmolene...the rest is...crap

 

Woolwax/Fluid film is good. I got it on mine, in cold temperature it became like thick glue.

DO NOT use any RUBBERIZED or even paint under coating over rust. Only use OIL BASED.

First remove the rust with sandpaper or blast, then spray WD40 on bare metal, let it sit 5 min or so and then paint over. After that, you can spray Fluid film or Woolwax. You can also have it done in body shop, on site they have some shops who do it. Whatever you do, do not use rubberized undercoating

 

Surface rust on the frame is normal, getting yearly rustproofing is key! Rust on the body panels is a different story.

Krown rustproofing for the win!

 

If it's light and you can put in the work to remove and rust convert it, you can topcoat with cosmoline, which will last the longest. Otherwise I'd liberally spray the frame inside and out, the underside of the body, wheel wells, body cavities etc with fluid film, and keep an eye on and re-coat any areas that get a lot of wheel spray yearly.

 

Rust Prevention/Treatment Consolidation Thread | Tacoma World

 

It sounds like op isn't in a salty area, the truck just came from one originally. You can probably get away with wire brushing the rusty spots and then either hit them with spraypaint, or spot treat with oil undercoating spray. You could just do the whole thing, but it would probably be a waste for you and make it messier to work on. On my GTI, which sits over the winter, I have the control arms, subframes, bolt heads and threads, etc. fluid filmed cause they had some surface rust like you described, which I wanted to not get worse but I also didn't want to take everything apart and repaint it.

 

As for existing rust, try wire brush/sanding and a rust converter spray.

For undercoating services, Fluid Film, Woolwax, Krown and NHOU are all good choices. Stay away from the rubberized coatings. (Oil-based coatings repel water; ‘hard layer’ coatings can trap water.)

And if you’re the DIY sort, Cosmoline and CRC Marine Corrosion Inhibitor are excellent products, as well as the FF/WW/Krown/NHOU sprays.


Or - get a 5-gallon bucket of 30w bar-and-chain oil and a paint sprayer, and go to town on the under-carriage. Then, blow sawdust all over everything. (I’ve never had a chain saw fail due to rust!).

 

I had the same scenario when I purchased my 2018 6 months ago. I had time to spare so I wire wheeled and sanded everything I could and used chassis saver paint. Then went after it with wool wax. I also took a lot of things off just so I could do it the best I could. However, 5 years ago, after saving for 3 years, I had a pad poured and installed an outdoor lift. Expensive but worth every penny. Use to do this on jack stands when I was younger.

 

I agree, I get it done every year and it also keeps the mice out of the engine bay etc cause they don't like the taste of Krown.

 

I coat mine once or twice a year with T9 Boeshield. It's made to protect airplane parts. I use a cheap air paint sprayer and wear a full face mask. So far it's the best and easiest I've found.

 

I actually just started applying Fluid film at my last tire rotation when I had more access. Trucks a 2023 and going through it's first Wisconsin winter so wanted to at least get some protection on suspension components/hardware. In the spring I'll probably do a more indepth application to the frame/crossmembers/spare tire area.

 

Never thought of that, good point Gilles!

 

Yep, Krown or Rust Check.

 

I personally use AmsOil Heavy Duty Metal Protectant myself, as it also repels mud and debris making it easier to clean after an outing.

It dries to a somewhat hard wax like film that can be removed with cleaners like Simple Green.

I've only used it for a little while so we'll see how it does more long term, but so far it's not messy in the slightest and doesn't rub off easily.

 

That is a WORLD of information! Thanks!!!