Undercoat, or NOT to Undercoat ?

Undercoat, or NOT to Undercoat ?
That is the question.

I live in the northeast, and winter is around the corner.
If you live here then you know they spread salt and sand everywhere.

Thinking about getting my tuck undercoated, but was wondering who else has had this thought ?Just trying to prevent your truck from rotting away?

 

Hi, I recently had my 2008 under coated with Krown. Krown requires yearly reapplication. There is a lot of discussion on here regarding these products, DIY and as a service. I know the older Tundras like mine had a problem with their frames rusting so I'm going to be sure to keep up on it, I believe the newer ones are much better.

 

Me friend has always done this. He had a 2005 GX470 and after ten years it wouldn't pass inspection due to the rust. If it were me, I'd save the money and put it towards a new truck.

 

I lived in upstate NY and I’ve seen a lot of vehicles rotting from salt so you definitely need to have your truck under coated. You’re better off doing it yourself or having someone other than the dealership do it.

 

I also get Krown applied here in PA. For $150, and a warranty that they provide against rust, I'll gladly go once a year.

I still spot treat with Fluid film as needed if I'm working on something under the truck. Some people I know use fluid film for the whole frame which also works very well, but I like that with Krown they actually get inside all of the body panels as well, and not just the frame.

My 2001 Tundra had the frame replaced due to rust. My father 2007 Ram had holes in the frame and body panel rust that prevented it from passing inspection. We'll never make that mistake again.

Also, never, ever, do that black rubberized undercoating. Oil based only, and reapply often.

 

So your advice is to just let his truck rust away, take a huge loss on it when it won't pass inspection, and then buy another new truck? Jesus. How do you feel about oil changes? Do you just top it off whenever it gets low?

 

Here’s a couple pictures of Rams up here that get driven daily , a 1994 and a 2006 . They get either Krown or Rust Check every year and I think the pictures speak for themselves .

 

Hey I am interested in this, where do you get the film applied as I’m outside Philly too.

Dennis

 

It's a bit of drive unfortunately, in York PA.

https://linexscpa.com/krown/

 

No, that's what I would do. That's why I said "if it were me" but I don't keep vehicles very long.

 

Fluid Film for me. I’ve read too many stories about trucks rusting with an undercoating because water and salt can get behind it somehow and then the rusting begins.

 

I had heard this too. Not sure if it's true or not.

There almost needs to be a long term experiment to determine the benefits of undercoating a vehicle.
I had also wondered about vehicles that spend a lot of time by the sea. The salt content in that local environment being higher than say a vehicle more inland.
Do a stare and compare, but who has the time?

 

Does Krown coating dry? I've done Fluid Film, but it gets pretty sloppy when wrenching underneath.

 

Known doesn't really dry, and you'll get oily dirt on you when you work on the truck but it stops rust very well. I was surprised how well it searches and penetrates into every little space.

Another consideration for me is the fact is protects all the electric sensors and connections and after some of the experiences I've had with corroded wiring in the past its worth it for that protection alone.

I'm sure the competition is very good too, but for me Krown is a great product and cheap insurance .

 

Here is someone else's post on different thread showing fluid film.
What have you done to your 2nd gen Tundra today?

 

They sprayed that black tar sh!t on my 2008 tundra as part of the frame rust prevention thing and I hated it! Every time I did an oil change or any little thing under the hood I ended up getting that crap all over me
Also, I’ve rebuilt many rusted vehicles back in the 80’s and I can tell you now that tar does not stop rust. You need something fluid that will seep into seams to displace any water/salt and that would be Krown or Similar.
They will not be spraying that tar sh!t on my 2021 Sport Premium
...just my $.02
Tim

 

Another vote for Known Here!

 

I've seen woolwax and fluid film being mentioned around here.

 

All of my vehicles from the 60's, 70's and 80's had the entire underside coated with various leaking fluids and road grime. Don't remember if ever had frame rust but who could tell under all that goo.
But now that cars aren't I cant imagine putting it in on purpose.

Last year I used Corroseal Rust Converting Primer to fix the rust on my camper trailers frame. It worked well, converted the rust into something black and has held up this year. No new rust. I was going to do the same on the Tundra when it starts to rust.

 

I do like how Krown stays fluid. It does make a mess of my hands and arms when I'm working under the truck, but it is amazing stuff.

Pretty much all year long it slowly seeps out from my door handles and tailgate handle. Sure it looks terrible, but that's just telling me it is continuing to work and maintain it's fluidity and effectiveness. And the fact that they get it all up inside the rocker panels, doors, tailgate, and bed sides in addition to the entire frame and undercarriage is just awesome. For $150 per application once a year, and a $5k warranty against any rust for the life of vehicle if I reapply every year, it is a no brainer.

My other vehicles I just apply fluid film on some known rust hot spots (like the rear quarters of my Subaru), and other common areas.

 

How does this stuff hold up in drive through carwashes?

 

Not sure to be honest. I imagine it will wash some of it off, but it does do a really good job of getting in all the little nooks and crannies, so I would imagine it's okay.

I only hand wash my truck and just kind of spray the underside with the hose a little bit while I do it.

 

This is my personal preference, Dries to slightly amber film.

https://www.thebestoil.com/product/amsoil-heavy-duty-metal-protector-mphd/

 

I went with fluid film after a lot of research. One guy used it and followed the progress with reports for 3 or 4 years. Check it out on Youtube.

 

I’ve done Fluid Film on my Tacoma the last five years and its been great. Prior to that I was getting it oil sprayed. The Fluid Film is thicker and doesn’t drip at all compared to oil spray which dripped for a couple weeks after it was applied.
With either one I don’t get the undercarriage wash during the winter when I go through car washes. That would wash off the protective coating of the Fluid Film or oil and defeat its purpose.

When Toyota recalled the Tacoma a few years ago for rusted out frames I took mine in to be inspected. They were pretty impressed with how “clean” (free from rust) it was and said I didn’t need the replacement frame.

I’ll be using Fluid Film every year on my new Tundra.

 

Two options as I see it.
Move warmer where there is no freeze or, move colder where there is no thaw until April!

 

Port 15 every inch of metal that's not painted. Did mine this summer to kill all the rust and get ready for winter. Looks brand new.

 

Is there a link to that video on YouTube??

 

Keep in mind this is in Ontario Canada where vehicles will rust within a couple years if they don’t get any protection .

 

I've heard good stuff about that too.

Here is a good video for a follow up about Krown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9YDe02cW5Q&t=808s

And this guy has a video or two showing the effectiveness of Fluid film. It really is quite impressive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbXBax-Kh9E&t=438s

Honestly I would 100% do a full fluid film application if I didn't have a Krown facility near me. You can buy it is gallon containers, and spray guns kits and do it yourself. They even make a black tinted one now so it's super easy to see where you have applied it. They are both equality effective, and frankly anything like this is better than nothing, and especially better than that rubberized coating so commonly used.