UNDERCOATING???????

In Cuba the guys rub kerosene on the frames once or twice a year and they have keep a lot of per Castro cars running on an island for the last 50 years

 

I oil under coated mine with hydraulic fluid..

 

Interesting. Never heard of using kerosene. It would remove salt deposits but it would also remove any grease/oils and dry out metals, rubbers & plastics which would eliminate future rust protection. I wonder if they apply anything afterwards? I'm just picturing any unpainted metal, like chips and scrapes, flash rusting within hours in a salt air coastal location.

 

I bought the kit 1 from kellersport (10% off "tacoma" code), did my truck yesterday. I was amazed at how quick it went. I power washed it first, and scraped some of the bad spots (mud and build up). I also used my air compressor to blow out the dirt that builds up on top of the shock tower on the rear, and the body mounts behind the front wheels. I used about 1/2 gallon for the entire frame and suspension. I had already used a product called Ospho to neutralize my bad rust spots, which drys to a hard gray black, and can be painted right over. I was going to use chassis saver paint on it, but decided fluid film is a much better option in case there is another frame recall on second gens. I just did it so I can not confirm its longevity, but at the price of a gallon, even if I do it twice a year, it is a worthy investment. I used a small pancake compressor, and the basic gun that comes with the kit @80psi, work very we'll. I loved the attachment they include for the spray can to get inside the boxed part of the frame, do not over look this, seems this is where most 2nd gens are rusting through.

 

Thanks DoorDing, Sunday morning = foggy brain

 

Ditto for me as well, since we are in the same region.

Rust Check for me, however

 

Had never heard of Fluid Film before getting the new Tacoma and reading about it on this forum. Ordered three spray cans of it and used two on the undercarriage this morning. Sounds like it will do a good job of protecting the truck without having it undercoated. The spray cans were about as easy to use as anything I can imagine.

 

You guys using Fluid Film. Do you just by the spay cans of Fluid Film? I was watching their video and they said to try and use a compressed air system to apply the fluid. I don't have one and was just thinking about using the spray cans.

 

I used the spray can. I had my truck up on a lift and was able to get inside the C-channels, get all the drive-line components, and the suspension. One application required 1 1/2 cans. I'm happy with the result.

 

Fluid Film all the way. Just did my 14 AC yesterday

 

I used the Kellsport provided "pro" spray gun with a cheap air compressor. I had read that some cheap air compressors may not be strong enough to do the job but from my experience I think any cheap air compressor can do that job. To me its much easier to get more product on the frame than trying to use the individual spray cans. I also recommend getting the extension wand that they sell. It is a big help in getting to some of the hard to reach places.

I think I only paid about 80 or 90 bucks for my Durabilt air compressor. I believe its a 6 gallon tank.

 

I saw this on a BBC show on all the classic cars in Cuba, but the wife made me change channels so I don't know if they did any thing after the Kerosene.

 

My local Krown shop, www.krown.com, undercoated my new front shocks (and the rest of the front end) for free yesterday! No hassle whatsoever!

Part of their warranty if new parts are installed on the vehicle within a year of a full undercoat application.

 

Mine is getting undercoated next month PA salt is the worse and I love my baby

 

I bought a new Tacoma in 05 and by 08 the underside was pretty damn nasty. I spent a while weekend with a wirebrush on my grinder then used rust bullet on it. I sold it in 2010 and the rust bullet held up pretty well. I bought another 05 (double cab that time) and the frame was pretty clean so I painted it with spray cans of eastwood rust encapsulator. It was better than nothing but didn't hold up as well as the rust bullet. I used KBS coatings on my current truck a month or so ago. Seems to be very rugged stuff.

 

I just bought a new 13 Tundra. I've been looking at several rust protection options and I think I'm going to go with KBS. I talked to someone who's already used and they said its fairly easy to work with and it holds up well. They sell a frame coating kit.
I also have an 01 Tacoma. I took it in for the Toyota frame inspect and they sprayed it. Seems to be holding up well except for a few small rust spots on the welds which I should address. I'll probably hit that some KBS if I have any leftover from doing the Tundra or just pick up a can or two of Fluid Film.
I know a lot guys like Fluid Film but my problem with it is that its temporary whereas KBS is a more permanent coating and doesn't cost a whole lot.

 

+1 for Krown.

I'm up in Toronto Canada where we use lots of brine and salt. The reality is, rust doesn't occur from the salt, it happens in the spring from moisture not drying off. Krown is sprayed right into the doors, quarter panels etc... Then everywhere underneath. I bought my 07 Taco used this past August with 105,000km (65,000miles) and its in phenomenal shape. Previous owners used Krown, which really shows underneath. Needless to say, I didn't hesitate to bring it in for a Krown treatment.

Fluid film I have heard is a decent product. I just know many say its not as effective as oil based products like Krown. Fluid film is wax based, so it can crack and trap moisture underneath causing rust to accelerate. Also it doesn't creep into crevices and tough to reach places. Krown on the other hand creeps everywhere, and contains rust inhibitor chemicals. Just some food for thought. Regardless what you choose though, anything is better than nothing.

 

Fluid Film is wool wax based, in other words, lanolin. It never dries, therefore it never cracks. It does attract some dirt because it doesn't dry. Mine has been on for a little over a month now and I crawled under and looked at it. Still nice and shiny in most places, like I just applied it.

There is a capillary action to FF as well, it does get into cracks and weld joints. I sprayed the boxed section of my frame and it looks like there is no dry spots in there at all, I used an inspection camera to check.

 

My bad on the cracking! Sounds like Fluid film is a fantastic product as well!

 

I don't believe in undercoating after undercoating a brand new control arm before installing in a car 2-3 years ago. I ran that car for a year or so, sold it to my sister and she ran it a year or so. The control arm flaked off all of the undercoating and looked just as bad as the original OE control arm on the other sde. And I was my vehicles constantly during winter time to keep salt off.

I now went with fluid film for my truck.


The thing I find is extremely funny is your dealer didn't want you to undercoat the truck, and mine hiked my payment up because I wouldn't get it undercoated.