Lets talk Under coating / Rust Prevention

Hi McS

I must admit, your 4R gets much more serious off-road use than mine. (Looks like fun !!). But even with the discoloring, I don't see any rust per your photos. So it appears the woolwax is doing it's job.

 

I blame the offroading on this forum lol. Particularly a couple of local forum members here and tacomaworld that have been welcoming of newbies joining up with them . I knew I wanted to use my 4runner for actually running around on trails, but I figured it would have to be some mythical “out-west” kinda trip that would happen sometime in future (you know how that goes). Little did I know that there are great areas to explore a half-day’s drive from where I live. Now I both wheel, and camp! Perfect midlife-crisis activities haha. I’ll save the corvette for later thank you

But I like to take care of this machine. That by itself is good entertainment for me. I dont mind riding it hard, but I don’t like to “put it away wet” so to speak. After every trip, I tend to spend a good amount of time cleaning, inspecting, etc.

I am counting on what what I’ve heard, and seems to make sense to me: that woolwax, dust, and more woolwax on top of make for a more resilient thicker coating…. Im betting the frame on it.

My hope is that in 10-15 years, I can wipe off the frame and undercarriage completely, (it actually wipes off easily w dry paper towel) to reveal a beautiful black frame that looks just like yours does. Then I would look at it happily for a few moments, take a few pics, and immediately spray on a brand new coat of woolwax, and run it through mud

 

Planning on spraying woolwax lv on the inner frame this weekend and woolwax regular the rest. Went with the clear liquid as I plan on spraying more than just the frame.The total cost was like 150$ for the pro gun, 2 wands, 4 1 quart bottles of woolwax and 1 quart bottle of woolwax LV with discount code: tacoma on the woolwax website. I'm thinking the woolwax LV is probably similar to fluid film in viscosity. I also have a few cans of rp342 but I'm not sure how I'll use them since they won't act well with woolwax

 

Any bomb-cyclone updates? How are your choices holding up? Any Line-X examples?

 

Oil base undercoat next application for mine. Had fluid film done before on 2 vehicles but most likely switching. Northeast mobile undercoating.

 

I think mine’s a bit too new to judge yet, but so far so good.

If were to do it again, I’d consider some of the newer options sinve they tend to be more waxy. I did some touch up in some hard to reach areas where I wanted really good penetration using Chain Wax. Had some left over from my old motorcycle. That stuff gets wicks in fast, and is pretty runny when sprayed. But it sets up really nicely. The solvents stink like a mofo, and a little bit of spraying gave me a headache.

Woolwax doesnt stink and is good for the skin lol.

 

https://youtu.be/A4r2uWi54Gg you tube link.

 

Hello all!

Bumping this thread because I am a new 4Runner owner.

As a NJ/NY resident (yes I basically live in both), I need rust protection. Seems like the overall consensus is FF and WoolWax... has anything changed since the last post? Let me know!

Happy to be part of the fam!

 

Cosmoline or FF seems to be the best choice.

 

I had my WoolWax done at Pine Island Auto, which may be convenient if you don't want to do it yourself.

 

That's close to me, how much do they charge? How often do you get it done?

 

They do an estimate per vehicle, which includes whatever cleanup they have to do underneath to start, and it includes two treatments. Probably $650-$950. I'll be doing it once a year.

 

I have a guy in NJ that does fluid film. He is on here also. Let me know I can give you his number.

 

Are you talking about the Steve guy?

But yes! Please give me his info I really wanna get it undercoated.

 

Yep, 973-229-7642 just text him.

 

I’d do it ASAP, then again spring 24 then every fall.
Fluid Film was the go to for a while, wool wax seems to be more preferred now. The is also Surface Shield. I have used all 3 at some point I the past 8 years or so, and would out any of them on my new runner.

 

Well for now, our plan is to not drive the TRD ORP too much, especially in winter to avoid people crashing into us since we've had people already come close to crashing into us in winter conditions. We do have a beater with snow tires we will use. Does FF wear out after certain mileage?

 

Another vote here for Woolwax. Have been applying every fall with a touch up in the spring, amazed at the protection, develops a nice waxy coat over time but can breathe. Just finished this project yesterday. Will be cleaning it out of my ears for the next few days.

Also did Fluid Film for a cpl years then switched to Woolwax on my previous FJ (2011 - 2018) Still will use FF inside doors,, hood and hatch - anywhere where water flows in and out (due to FF's lighter viscosity)

Both vehicles never garaged and subjected to daily driving in New England winter months. Love the snow but not so much that slushy salty dirty mix... Also coat my rims (front and backside) with Woolwax, then only rinse in the winter and good wash in the spring, helps w corrosion.

I think Lanotec is the Australian version of Woolwax/Fluid Film, and Lanolin has been tried and true for corrosion and rust prevention. A little bit of work doing it yourself, but non toxic and overspray (no matter how many tarps I put down) will eventually wash off the driveway

https://youtu.be/1TppWOJgms8?si=fld3xy1ZO1mbuh-D

 

That's why I kept my Outback, and why I don't go out in the snow anymore unless absolutely necessary. My own ability to drive in such conditions doesn't do enough to protect me from the yahoos playing 4-lane bumper cars.

 

I don’t think it wears based on mileage, but it can get washed off, although I don’t believe very easily. I say do it again in the spring, as a way to help ensure it’s coated well.

 

I’ve seen folks use ramps for the front.

 

My woolwax is holding up good. I got a bottle of the pb blaster stuff for spot touch up. But it looks a little too much like an “oil leak” . The woolwax tends to always look like wool wax.

 

Yep 973-229-7642 just text him. He does a great job.

 

Nope, just get comfy under the vehicle. It might be cleanest to use spray cans with the long hose/tube attachment to get inside crossmembers, framerails, and hard to get areas, but do the outside of the frame with the woolwax in bulk gallon can, and use a paint brush to generously apply. That would really control overspray. Using a can for everything is fine too, but messier.

Then find a dusty gravel road and go for a long drive on it. It’ll get locked in for the long haul, other than the occasionally touching up the the front of the lower control arms , axle tubes, lower rear shock mounts, or other front facing areas. These areas will get the woolwax eroded off if you do a lot of driving in heavy rain/slush, gravel, or during off roading.

 

I drive the truck up on ramps, all the skids come off, spare tire and KDSS cover (if you have it). Start with a wand inside the frame then do the outside.

I also put a giant drop cloth on the concrete floor. Then get it dirty to lock it in like the gentleman above said.

 

Ok. Made, I think, the mistake of having Zeibart undercoating. Please don’t lecture me on my foolishness. ; ). Had Zeibart sound deadening undercoating 20 years ago, 100,000 miles, on my Tacoma and still was holding up. SoThought ok, just do ziebart undercoating for protection (just did undercoating not the sound deadening extra ) on my new 4 Runner as well.

But this time Zeibart did terrible job I think, and regret it. Overspray all over the muffler and transfer case, which I got under and cleaned up with mineral spirits.


Big Issue I had is they did not get in the frame, in front of the firewall or even in the rear portion spare tire area above etc. front and back most prone to rust. They did the wheel Wells also. Even after examination a few parts they missed on the underside.


So couple weeks later decided to do corrosion free spray at another place. Now this guy did good job, should have gone with them first. He got all inside the frame, all around the front and back, trailer hitch, spare tire rim, seems on bottom doors and hood, parts of engine bay. And sprayed all of the underside and wheel wells. Inside of frame and front on vehicle, around the hooks, is area most prone to rust I hear, so good having the corrosion free there. Had corrosion free sprayed inside the door and rear panels as well.


issue is now the Zeibart coated areas are all tacky and sticky. On the areas only with corrosion free there is a slight clear oily liquid finish. But on the parts that had Zeibart undercoating, it is now a tarry tacky oily black gunk. Not dripping, but sticky. I believe the corrosion free fluid softened the Zeibart coating and combine with it to make just a gooey oily coating.


Not sure if this is a good thing or bad. Will it eventually dry out? Or will remain sticky and tacky gunk? . Will this actually provide better protection? Should spend countless hours getting underneath vehicle with rags and mineral oil and just remove it all?


Seems to me that maybe it is messy sticky all black coated underneath, but will not have worry about rust? Leave it as is and just drive the hell out of it?

 

You are good.

Hey, before Fluid Film, Krown, Wool Wax, etc etc thats all we had was Ziebart, and it offered some protection somuch as you had it treated immediately when the car was brand new. The issue was waiting until the vehicle was a few years old and surface rust had already begun, ziebarting it could trap salt and moisture against the frame and form a permeable barrier over it, allowing oxygen through. That = Rust.

The new products out there "creep" into the metal and some neutralize the rusting process.

By the way, *any good undercoating place will drop your spare tire and get above that. Mine does. The Krown place down the road from me does not. It all depends on the actual installer. Pick a good one. Ask questions. Ask to see it up on the lift after they are done, before you pay.

I would not worry. You did the Ziebart brand new, and followed up with another product. I'd say you are in really good shape.

 

I’m really looking forward to seeing how well this IGL Aegis Ecoclear stuff is that my detailer is undercoating our vehicles with.

 

So what do people in SoCal do? Little rain + no salt = no problem?

 

Pretty much.
I think it depends on what the requirements and intended use are. If mostly city driving, probably don't have much to worry about. If occasional winter excursions to Big Bear or other areas with snow and salt, then one might consider adding some surface protection.

My 2014 JKU has light surface rust at some areas and I spot hit those with Fluid Film. I only recently picked up a used 2018 4R and haven't observed areas of concern yet.