Found some rust

Hello all! I’m new to the forum and new to 4Runners. I recently purchased a 2019 SR5 from a dealership for my wife and she’s loving it. I did my first oil change on it, and came across some rust on what looks like a mounting point (covered up by the skid plate). The driver side is fine, but the passenger side looks concerning. The pics are of topside and bottom, along with a pic of the driver side for reference. It flakes when I pick at it. Is there anything I can do here to prevent further rusting and should I be concerned? The rest of the frame is rust free and we do live in Florida. My wife posted up on Reddit as well, and liquid film was suggested. Thanks for any input!

 

I think that's where the AC condensate drain line empties. Criminally poor routing decision by Toyota.

here, try this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKxgxBI4k7k

 

welcome

 

I’ll definitely check that out, didn’t even consider it. Thank you!

 

The AC drain line is behind the front passenger tire, and drips onto the body mount area. The brackets that are pictured are in a different area, connected to the radiator core support all the way in the front of the car.

@Tompompano, that rust is a little weird to be there all by itself. Does the radiator core support have any rust, or is it just the tab that holds the bracket? Look above to see if maybe there’s evidence of a corrosive liquid drips.

Might be worth looking inside the radiator core support to make sure it’s not packed with anything that causes water/moisture to linger, which could be traveling to the rusted tab…not sure, just guessing. But it’s an odd enough rust spot to warrant a closer look for an obvious cause.

If you don’t find anything obvious, chalk it up to chance. Wash it well to remove whatever might have caused the rust, then sand it or wire brush the rust off as much as possible, then just slather on fluid film or wool wax heavily. If you’re able to get the rust off nicely, I would brush on some paint before applying fluid film.

 

Good catch^

 

Ok great, thank you. Any particular kind of paint that should be used? Need to pick some up along with the fluid film. I’ll get under there again soon.

 

I use rustoleum in a pint tin whenever I’m touching up scatrches to the frame. A thin coat on clean metal is all you want.

 

I highly suggest chemically treating before painting. My system is to chip loose scale that can flake off (usually only heavily rusted areas). Then wire brush. Then liberally apply a "Rust Lock" product by brush. The quart bottle I have was obtained at a marine hardware store. It turns rust to a dark grey inert coating after a day or so.then I nylon brush with water. Allow to dry fully then paint (best brushed on). The grey coating result acts like a primer and paint will last a long time. Usually this process works on new metal like brackets, as well as touch up spots on older powder coatings. My Rust Lock does not affect the good powder coating.

 

Make sure you dont get any of that anti rust paint on your skin... wear long sleeves etc. I got a nasty reaction to POR15 in the past when it got on my arm

 

Pretty common as the design traps water (and road salt if the car previously spent time in northern states). The driver side brace is close to the oil filter, so it gets enough spillage during filter changes to remain rust-free.

Wire brush away loose rust
Spray with Tremclad rust reformer (primer)
Spray with Tremclad rust semigloss
Spray with Cosmoline (more durable alternative to Fluid Film)

 

Thank you all for the feedback! Local shop referred me to fabricator to see if they could do anything for it. Maybe I'm thinking too much into it and will go the brush and treat route.