Rust prevention

Reading a lot about fluid film and taking some steps to fight agaisnt rust. Living in New york city and always travelling around the mountains to snowboard im worried about the salt issue. But I remember toyota replacing all
those frames years ago and i was wondering if taking additional steps to combat rust is really necessary or have toyota taken steps themselves at the factory to save themselves millions of dollars lol

 

The 3rd gens are still pretty young, so we don't have a good idea what lies in the future with respect to rust issues. Prevention is better than cure. So I would say fluid film the shizz out of the underbody. I live in PA. $40 got me 4 cans of fluid film. I applied it last month just before the winter season started. Seems to be holding up well.

 

Fluid Film that bitch, had none for 4 years now in the salt belt. Looks just as new as when I bought it in October of 2014

 

Separate question. That yellow tube is the diff breather mod?

 

Yup

 

Temporary for now going to get longer tubing and tuck it away better

 

If you live in the rust belt and want to keep your truck for a long time, it is mandatory to Oil undercoat it, fluid film, krown etc.

 

Recommendation on a sprayer?

 

I fluid filmed it this year. Did two cans. Waited for it to settle and collect some dirt and dust, then went back and did another 2 cans to get any spots I thought I missed. I also loaded up the inside of anything with a drain plug with a lot of fluid film. Truck smelled like a nasty armpit for a few days or so but its worth it.

 

We have a local that does it here, he suits up and buys a big bucket. Had a big compressor and gun and gets it in orifice there is. @BadDNA recommendations for a sprayer etc.

 

Fluid Film definitely. At least 4 cans, but a 6 pack from Amazon will do you well and you'll have leftover for second applications.

 

How tedious is it to fluid film the entire truck? A weekend job that requires a lift or just some cans and an hour to spare?

 

We drive the front end up on ramps, he sprays all reachable areas, then gets the this spray hose and gets in all the small holes etc. 20-25 minutes underneath tops.

 

It'll take you an hour or a little more if you are extremely thorough and use a jack and stands.

 

Get a quart of Eastwood Rust Encapsulator and use a cheap paint brush to brush it on. Quart is plenty, will cover the entire frame and more. I do that to my truck twice a year, better than anything else out there.

 

I live on the east coast of Canada and have no idea how 2-4 cans of fluid film comes anywhere close to achieving complete coverage of a truck. If you're doing the floor, rocker panels, doors, tailgate, bumper, inside and outside of entire frame, skid plates, etc etc it'll take you 8+ cans, at which point buying a spray gun and compressor is your best bet

Now 2-4 cans is definitely better than 0 cans, but to claim Complete coverage is misleading

 

My guy has 5 gallon buckets of it but yes there is no way 2-4 spray cans will do a complete vehicle let alone get it done right

 

No, don't do that. Rust encapsulator is for exactly that, stopping rust that is already there to paint over. That's way too much work for a product that will peel off. Most of those products NEED rust to bond correctly. POR-15 will even peel off of painted surfaces unless you prep it correctly.

 

My #2 Choice is Fluid Film because I can get it off the shelf at the local stores. But I do like it for areas with high water spray. But that same reason it is good for high spray areas is why I don't use it all over. Mess, stinks.

My #1 Choice for new vehicles is this;

https://learchem.com/products/acf-50.html

Takes the high heat of the exhaust and really soaks into all the nooks and crannies, stops galvanic reactions for upto 2 years. Used and certified for aircraft and military hardware.
Does not make a mess, and you would almost think it was not on there except it seems to collect a layer of "dust", works on Al and Zinc alloys too.
It is hydrophobic and since it has a very high lubricity to it, mud and crap does not stick to it like it normally would. and squeaks seem to disappear.

And the mechanics don't hate you for having a big greasy mess to work on.
Spray it everywhere including the engine compartment. Won't hurt your paint but I would not leave it soaking in it.
Avoid pullies and especially your brake calipers. High lubricity helps the squeeks but not the stops!
Won't hurt electronics, rubber and synthetics and is non-conductive.

My #1 Choice for used vehicles or direct water spray areas is this;

https://learchem.com/products/corrosion-block.html

Don't take my word for it there is a ton of people talking about these products on google.
Plus there are real white paper comparisons done by the military.

I bought a Gallon of ACF-50 for $100 Cdn, and a cheap undercoating spray gun that I made an adapter that I can add a 1/4" flex hose onto. Fogged the underside of the truck, sprayed inside doors, tailgate, engine bay, door sills. Even the exhaust system. LIGHT Fluid Film on the areas at the front of the truck that will be hit with direct water and snow spray, on the rear leafs and the front of the rear axle and diff. With the ACF-50 on there it seams to disperse better.
Washed the truck...
Did not use soap in bottom of truck all last winter, just water spray at the local car wash when the truck was a salty mess.
Hosed her down with soap and water in the Spring and the underside looked like it was still in the showroom.
Since I had only used about 1/4 of the ACF bottle and I could still feel a layer all over the frame I filled up a paint primer spray gun and just gave the underside and engine compartment a quick fog.

Only place I can see even light corrosion on my truck in on my sliders.
Lol since I use them as steps I ain't greasing them up, they get touched up every spring. And I live in an area where they seem to toss out gravel sized salt on the road.

 

New to living in upstate NY, is this stuff really worth it? I only plan on living here for 3 years and don't want too much rust. We moved from Florida, so salt exposure was pretty normal, but not as damaging as it seems to be up here. And if it is worth it...y'all cover the inside of the doors, and the paint work?