School me on Fluid Film

Greetings All! I was going to post this in the NE Region but I think it applies to more than just them. A little back story for those actually reading this; I grew up in Western Pa but left at 21, living in FL>SC>FL>CA for the last twenty years. Now it is time to be closer to family, so the move to Cleveland, OH starts in exactly 3 weeks.

I don’t remember people using fluid film 20 years ago. We just went to the car wash, chose the undercarriage option, and crossed our fingers. The other option was we didn’t drive the car so zero PA salt got on it (that was never an option in my family). So the undercarriage protect game is all new to me.

My 4Runner is a CA car and I love it. I want to keep it maintained and running for decades. Luckily for me, I get a work car in Cleveland, but it is only for work (commuting, call outs, but no personal errands). I want to do all the right things to keep my 4R in good condition.

Please tell me your experiences with types, application, and/or worth.

 

Good place to start. Big fan.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/fluid-film-and-rust-repair.15784/

 

I looked there but since it was for third gens I didn’t want to miss on other owners perspectives.

 

My Toyota service advisor told me when look8mg at the Tacoma frame for rust inspection, “stop doing what ever you are doing so we can replace the frame for you”

and I had only fluid filmed like once a year, not the twice that some recommended.

I would do it as soon as you get to the area, then again before snow every year.

woolwax is another option.

 

Wool wax for sure. Stays on better and doesn’t have the smell. I get it in 5gal buckets. Clear or black. I put about 2 gal per vehicle.

 

im not sure I understood. Are you saying you fluid filmed your frame, but it ended up requiring a new frame anyway?

 

@McSpazatron
^pretty sure he's saying (spare parts)
That fluid stuff worked so good on his taco that if he kept doing it yota wouldn't be able to replace the frame within the 12yr agreement

[settlement, Toyota agreed to inspect vehicles including the 2005 – 2010 Tacoma, 2005 – 2008 Sequoia, and 2007 – 2008 Tundra models for 12 years from the original date of purchase.]
-mortorbiscuit

 

When they inspected my frame to see if they would put on their frame stuff, they felt what I was doing was so good, they would NOT need to replace my frame.

 

Doc4216---I live in the suburbs of Detroit and we get the same weather as much of Ohio and use salt, I also spent several years dating someone in Pittsburgh and drove there every weekend and now they seem to use sand/gravel etal on some roads in the winter in the hills out there.

If I were and you can afford it I would buy a winter car that is reliable and park your 4Runner for the winter. I would still consider getting it treated but keep it out of the salt and grime if you can.

I have seen many frames of 2-3 year old 4Runner up here all beat up after a few winters. I am hoping that by me storing mine in the winter in the garage and fluid film that I don't have any major issues. I plan to only use mine like I did my old 90's Explorer (only use April-early October).

That is just my opinion though if you have the means and ability to do it. I suppose if I ever get married this may be an issue for me since I only have a 2 car garage guess I need a storage unit then.

 

Most want the 4wd drive to use in the winter snow weather, or maybe that’s just my thinking.
I’d have a had time driveling a beater car in the winter while my 4 wheel drive sits at home in shitty weather

 

I agree most would want to drive 4WD in winter. Everything is a trade off and everyone has to do what’s important for them.

 

Fluid Film is good stuff. 5 years of Wisconsin winters, I apply FF every fall on my Tacoma winter beater. No rust at all. The 4runner gets a coat every fall too, but I don't drive it in the winter.

 

Thanks guys. I guess was using Fluid Film like the generic term, like duct tape. There are many brands to look into. I have also heard wool wax and need to explore more. I appreciate the pics.

@mac1usa I hear what you are saying. While I have the means, I don’t have the space. I will have a work provided vehicle for commuting so that will save a lot of road salt on the 4R. Then my spouse will have a car, so that makes three plus my motorcycle. One of them will be outside and it won’t be the bike.

 

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