How much rust is too much? 2018 OR

Havent ever had a new vehicle til I got this truck in 2018, so I'm not sure how much is too much, for a 3 year old vehicle. Got under the truck today to install some LCA skids, and noticed some distinct rust all over. Nothing rusted through, but the black underbody coat is peeling in small spots all over the place, and the exhaust tubing is very brown. I'd had a fresh rustproofing coat on my to-purchade/have-done list for the coming year, wondering if I need to get it dealt with sooner than later. Spent the first 2 years in dry west TX, and the past year in Western VA. away from the coast but definitely had some salt on the roads this past winter.

 

All normal surface rust.

 

That's all looking normal, some parts are bare metal from the factory and they rust immediately. Clean, sand, prime, paint if you really want it to stay perfect. Or, spray it with Fluid Film and it will slow it down. I'm in Maryland with a 2016 that looks similar. Fluid film every fall before salt season.

 

Looks normal with very slight surface rust similar to my 2018. You and I both should start fluid filming yearly.

 

Solid, I appreciate it folks. Fluid film will get bumped up to my "before fall" list, heh.

 

Yeah normal. My Arizona truck looks like that. I'd recommend cosmoline over fluid film. But it's personal preference

 

There is a company called RiTec. They sell a product called Halt. It is used mainly on municipal salt trucks. Sold by the gallon and it will cover 4 frames plus if brushed on. The stuff is super easy to apply, and can also be sprayed but I recommend taking your time and brush it on with the cheap Home Depot throw aways. It eats into the existing rust turning purple - sealing it for good. No prep necessary just scrap the peeling areas. I usually pressure wash first and of course let dry. It dries black and can be painted over again with no prep or leave it as is. I can't vouge for the other products out there, but I did a bus frame that was very badly damaged from salt about six years ago - and it is still looking great. This is one product that I swear by in my shop !! You can even apply it to the exhaust system. Totally worth the $65.oo per gallon price tag. One brushful goes an amazing long way and dries to the touch in about 20 minutes. Every shop that I have turned on to it, feels the same way, and I am happy that the shop next to me turned me onto it. Regards Scott

This trailer sat outside for 18 years as bear metal frame. One coat of halt and two coats of Black metal paint about a month ago. You can see the difference in the safety chain as I did not do the first link nor paint it black like the rest of the trailer..

 

You should check with your local dealer for recalls. Where they up coat the frame for free

 

Has Toyota's frame coatings gotten that bad where even in AZ they look like that. If I recall my 1985 and 1991 Toyota trucks looked better than that when I lived in CA

 

Mostly from getting sand blasted. Sand blast then surface rust. Car wash etc.

 

Yes id say thats within the realm of whats "normal". However my 16' doesnt have 10% of that amount of surface rust.

 

I saw what a buddies 2019 trd or looked like after the 2nd winter while helping him remove his 3'' lift....wasn't pretty being here in connecticut. We wired brushed, and blew any dirt, and scale off the chassis then used 6 cans of rp-342 cosmoline to coat the frame and undercarriage. Hopefully it'll stay like my 2020 i did last july.

 

If you go off-road, use Cosmoline in lieu of Fluid Film. Fluid Film attracts dirt very easily and the resulting concoction is hard to clean off. Cosmoline withstands pressure washing a lot better. RP-342 or CRC 06026 Marine depending on what's available / less expensive.

 

Link?? no luck searching for it.

 

Fluid film/corrosionX HD/cosmoline/wool wax/etc. just coat it and check up on it before the winter and after if the truck gets exposed to road salt/coastal air. Exposure time and frequency will dictate how often you should check and recoat your frame.

At your frames condition I wouldn’t even consider a rust converter.

Forget all the other magic remedies people try to sell you on.

 

I will post the info on Monday when I am at the shop. This is not a magic remedy at all. It works one and done !!! I gain nothing to advise people on it. This is a remedy that has proven itself as I have seen the long and short effects of it. Been using it for more then eight years now and never had to "redo" anything except maybe the painting depending how nice you want your stuff. Salt trucks are a different story and should be treated as needed. I don't deal with them so can't comment for sure. Regards Scott

 

This is the product that I speak so highly of. As you can see - it separates in the jug but just needs a good shake before use. Has the consistency of milk - so that is why it spreads so nice. Doesn't like bare metal so don't think you can protect metal before rust appears. Adheres to rust and painted surfaces like a rock - then accepts paint without any prep. Regards Scott

 

Where do you buy this product from?

 

We buy it direct from the company. The phone number is on the pictured bottle. They have other vehicle products that are great also.

 

Rust is like automotive cancer! If you don’t get it all gone when it’s small and you notice it, it’ll spread and get a lot worse very quickly! So if you see it… clean it off, sand it off, blast it off, grind it off… whatever it takes and then recoat the area properly.