Rust Proofing suggestions?

"Shift24" (the-nope)
11/05/2018 at 10:40 • Filed to: GX470, Rust protection, Rust proofing

For all the rust belt inhabitants, I have a question about what others had done for rust proofing?

I somewhat recently bought a GX470 that ha s spent 99% of its life in non rust states (NC and NV) and while they are better than 3rd gen 4-runner frames they still can have rust issues.

I have been looking at Krown, Fluid Film, and a couple others but have been indecisive on going through with it. I have pretty much pegged Krown as the leading candidate because its the closest.

I had seen previously someone with a Wrangler on OPPO that had done Fluid Film in the New England area and it looked brand new underneath.

Mine doesnt look new underneath but its pretty decent and I want to keep it that way.

Off road GX for your time

DISCUSSION (20)

Urambo Tauro > Shift24
11/05/2018 at 10:45

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Shift24
11/05/2018 at 10:58

I’ve done nothing but wash the underside of the cars weekly and/or every other day at quarter washes. No need for those rubberized undercoatings. With improper prep, you’re more likely to trap moisture and cause rust and worse for yourself. If you must have a coating, those oil based ones are your best bet.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Shift24
11/05/2018 at 11:01

D riving will be a challenge tho.

Kinja'd!!!

Shift24 > Urambo Tauro
11/05/2018 at 11:08

So that is true undercoating and i know full well those dont work. Also I have heard ziebart is junk. I am talking more of a oil drip or dripless spray. The oil is more displacing the moisture and keeping a self healing small barrier.

Also same guy...

adamftw > Shift24
11/05/2018 at 11:09

Krown, Fluid Film, Waxoyl... any of those

Urambo Tauro > Shift24
11/05/2018 at 11:17

Yup, he’s got one o n Fluid Film too:

AkursedX > Shift24
11/05/2018 at 11:26

I use a company called Rustkote. Same basic thing as Krown/Fluid Film/Etc. They use one type of product for the upper body (doors, door jambs, and engine bay) and then use a different product for the underbody. I get it done yearly and have been generally happy with it.

Shift24 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
11/05/2018 at 11:42

So i guess I should have been a bit more clear on the undercoating. I know the rubberized spray is just trapping the rust/moisture and causing more damage than good. Krown uses an oil based formula.

And i know i should be more diligent on going to car washes but i never know if its well below freezing is it doing anything? Do I leave it alone? and wait until its warmer out?

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Shift24
11/05/2018 at 11:45

Interested in the responses you get, but slightly different case here. Bought a 2005 E46 that spent much of its life in NY and NJ…no structural rust but struts have some on them (I plan on replacing them soonish anyway, as they are original to the car although they do work fine for now) and I’m sure it’s seen a lot of harsh winters.

The car has been safe in the PNW for the last few years, but I want to do everything I can to help it along. What would one do at this point?Assume it’s had enough rain splashing on the underside it that anything that could add more harm has been washed away? Just a good undercarriage wash? Anything more at this point?

Haase > Shift24
11/05/2018 at 11:56

I just spray things down with Gibb’s brand oil. The stuff is like super-WD40.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Shift24
11/05/2018 at 11:57

My rule of thumb is to simply only wash the car when it’s above freezing temps.

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > Shift24
11/05/2018 at 12:04

The rubberized coating I recommend was banned by the EPA. No, I’m not joking. Rubberized coatings can and DO work if you follow the instructions to the absolute letter and prep the car properly. And yes, I most definitely would know. I have a 32 year old car with rubberized undercoating and absolutely pristine floorpans .

People saying they will “destroy your car” should immediately be ignored as the scamming salesmen they are. All they’re doing is showing you improperly prepared vehicles and amateur jobs so they can sell you their more expensive snake oil service.

Krown is just a scam, by the way. They just spend a fuckton of money on marketing . “A unique formula that is able to seep into” blah blah. Well guess what? You can get the exact same result in a spray can of WD40. Because guess what? IT IS WD40.

The only spray-on after-the-fact rustproofing that will ever work is actual penetrating oil - as in petroleum products - which actively reject water and do not react to salt , or Ziebart. Period. And Ziebart, like all paint work, is highly dependent on the quality of the prep work. Improperly prepared, Ziebart will fuck your frame in nothing flat.

HammerheadFistpunch > Shift24
11/05/2018 at 12:20

I’ve been using fluid film. Its okay, I wish it would last a little longer.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Shift24
11/05/2018 at 12:24

That photo speaks to me.

Looks like the “undercoating can cause more problems than it solves” is well covered. That said, I have two cars with factory undercoating and neither have rust issues. I assume this has to do with applying it when it is clean at the factory, rather than after the fact.

I’d be good to figure out what the known pain points on your car are so you can pay special attention to them . I’ve heard a good strategy is to try and find one in a junk yard and see where the rust started.

Shift24 > HammerheadFistpunch
11/05/2018 at 12:59

Yeah I have heard especially with off-roading it can come off. I looked at fluid film but the closest is 90 min away. Krown is 30 so I can take a long lunch and get it done.

nermal > Shift24
11/05/2018 at 13:06

Buy new, trade in on another new one in 3-5 years, rinse & repeat.

The crap they put on the roads in the NE is brutal, and eats everything. There is no escape from it if you intend to drive over the winter.

HammerheadFistpunch > Shift24
11/05/2018 at 13:07

I just ordered a 3 pack on amazon. I think what I will end up doing is ordering a gallon and then buying a cheap harbor freight spray gun.

Shift24 > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
11/05/2018 at 13:49

Alot of my questions were answered when I saw this video on Krown. They have a spray they can make sure it is extra clean before applying it. Also as th ey say in the video they dont claim to permanently stop rust but the do a good job controlling the rust that's already there.

Shift24 > HammerheadFistpunch
11/05/2018 at 13:52

Th ats probably the best way and I wish I had access to a lift or I would do it my self as well. But until then $150- 200 bucks to keep it looking good is reasonable

Shift24 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
11/05/2018 at 13:54

Ah ok, though here it’s hard to see temps above freezing once they get there. But i get it's a good idea once they are