Line-x undercarriage - to do or not to do

Has anyone Line-x’ed their undercarriage and what are your thoughts? Good idea or caused issues for repairs or modifications? I don’t deal with much salt but want to protect it from mud and rust on my 18 limited for hunting

 

I would be afraid it would mask problems the way that zeibart coating crap does. Look up Fluid Film or Wool Wax if you want to protect your undercarriage. Any of the "permanent solutions" run a huge risk of trapping things underneath and hiding the issues until you are totally screwed.

 

What issues are you referring to? Having to fix something and unable to break loose from the Line-x? Issues the Line-x could cause from protection?

 

No. Bad idea. I'll go with fluid film.

 

https://youtu.be/H2VD5fM6pto


Plus, anything you spray it on it is not coming off. All your wires, sensors, connectors, etc are gonna be a bitch to do anything with.

 

Gotcha! Thanks for the help. Looks like the truck in the video was a person that applied it a little late or at least when it was wet. Trapped the moisture and rust. Was hoping to protect it before that happens. It stays in the garage when not in use. But I agree the rubberized coating would trap wires and gas lines for any future changes. That’s why I’m inquiring. Looking for first hand issues. Had not heard of the fluid film before now. Will research that now as well for the best options to keep it protected for longevity

 

I had fluid film done on my 2020 4runner Pro. I’m having my 21 tundra pro done before winter time with fluid film. Some recommend every year if you are anal. Lol. I’m doing mine every other year.

 

How would you ever repair anything, replace parts etc?

Sounds like a terrible idea to me. I would hope the Line-X dealer would advise against it and not do it.

 

I replaced my bed as it had the infamous rust spots through the mounting points. The new bed was shipped to a local line x shop and sprayed the underside, front and the bed of course. I fluid film the truck every year. It’s been three years and looks like new underneath. Depends on how determined you are (or crazy)

 

Yuppers. Linex is great as a bedliner, but not something I’d apply to a frame and underbody.

 

Amsoil HD

 

I have 196k on the clock, when purchased new, I crawled under with regular high temp spray paint from Home Depot, sprayed anything I think would be rusted. Control arms, leaf, all the nuts and bolts. Today it still looks the same and virtually no rust and the painted surfaces still in tact.

 

X2 ^^, this is what I use its been great for two years. Probably do another spray in 3 months

 

the problem with bedliner in undercarriage is future repairs of your truck...the mechanic will have to deal with all that bedliner when trying to fix your truck...This will add cost to your repairs, and the thicker liner like LineX would make it nearly impossible and some shops won't touch it.

 

+1 I've lived in the rust belt for 30 years. The cars that rot out fastest are the ones with rubberized undercoatings. 2nd fastest are untreated. 3rd are fluid filmed.

My cousin-in-law runs a landscaping business and uses fluid film on his mower decks (in addition to his trucks for the salt). So that's a unique use-case more fitting to the OP's concerns about mud.

TL;DR Fluid film or bust!

 

Pardon the noob question, but is the fluid film applied at a vendor, or is it something you can do yourself with a rattle can? Is it simply just going to town on anything metal under the truck?

 

You can pick it up on Amazon and in stores. Keep it off stuff that gets hot (exhaust) and away from your brakes. It can cause some rubbers to swell, so avoid bushings and such.

 

Do you have to clean the metal surfaces before application?

 

You want it clean, yes. That way it adheres to the metal. Still, if you power wash your undercarriage or go through a carwash with an undercarriage spray it will strip off the fluid film.

If you search "Fluid Film" on the forum you will get tons of results, and I am sure there will be guides or videos in there somewhere.

 

Have someone do it. Try to find someone in your area. Does not cost that much and a lot easier for someone else.

 

Only if you trust them to do it right. I'd hate to take it somewhere and have them half ass it, or just spray everything and wind up cooking it on my exhaust or getting my brakes coated in it. Only way to be sure is to do it yourself, and it isn't difficult.

 

I agree. I found someone that’s does it a lot. He did a great job on my 2020 4Runner Pro.

 

That's a bonus for sure. It's messy and it smells, but if they get the inside of the frame and keep it off stuff it shouldn't be on, I'd probably do the same. I'm just in the middle of nowhere and nobody does it.

 

Yeah that’s what usually happens to me when i need something done.

 

Thanks guys, i will look around to see if anyone does it near me, chances are I will do it myself because i dont trust anyone and i am cheap lol

 

Good information guys. Definitely going to lean more toward fluid film. Now gotta find someone who applies it locally

 

During the winter, I would hope you spray your undercarriage off every few weeks, especially after a good snow dump with even more salt added to the roads. Which brings me to my point, why use FF if you will have to have it reapplied with your first wash. OP, give this video a look before you decide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXlhmbvdKBo&t=236s

 

I apply it myself. It stays on all winter, and acts as a barrier to the salt and repels water. Go look at the pics of guys that have used it for years. You don't peal off paint protection FIM just because it got stuff on it. Same for fluid film. You only spray it off after it's done its job for the season.

 

Yeah, it's great for home application and seen a lot of success stories with it. I watched a few of these videos and did some surface level (punny) research and concluded with the amsoil product. Easy application (can spray literally everything), doesn't come off when you spray/wash it, can stay on year-round and it doesn't collect road debris and dirt. Only downside is applying the 2nd coat. Takes me usually 3-4 cans, $55 total.

The thing is, throughout the winter months I wash regularly to get any salt that may be harboring. I don't want to take the risk any of my protection coming off. Just my two cents.

 

Thanks for the video research and input. We don’t get much snow or salt in NC in my area. I used/sprayed the rubberized coating on my 98 Tacoma years ago and it held up well over the years, but like the video says you have to protect stuff you want to access laser like connectors. That’s why I was inquiring about Line-x. I figured it was quite a bit more aggressive spray than out of the can and didn’t know if someone had it done and had issues afterwards. The rubberized out the can is probably best for my area and longevity but application is not fun and very tedious.