I bought my 4Runner in April and have been off-road numerous times, however, it’s been bone-dry every time. I’m heading out in a few weeks and the rains have begun. CLAY. I’m expecting 2 to 4 inches…over every square inch of my undercarriage and by the time I get home it will be like concrete.

For the most part my undercarriage is virgin.

To coat or not to coat is my question.

I want to do what is best for the life of the truck. I really don’t mind the drill. You know the drill. It would take me well over an hour to wash the clay off, just the underside of my 2000 WJ. And to do it well I’d be on my back with a hose spraying out every crevice.

I’ve read quite a few posts talking about the use of different products to coat the undercarriage and I have a friend that races dirt track in Central Alabama and he suggested using baby oil. I’m sure it will help to keep the clay from sticking, but my concern is two-fold. First, removing the oil-saturated clay from the thousands of tight spots and second, how the oil will affect the multitude of rubber bushings, boots, and everything else under the truck.

What’s better long-term? What would you guys do? Thanks for the help!

I would only coat mine if I used it in the snow/salt part of the country, to avoid rust.

I am not sure how well it would work for mud/clay/dirt.

I did read where some guys would come home from mudding and put a water sprinkler under the truck and let it run a while.

Some areas have a lift available to pressure wash the under carriage without having to crawl around on the ground, wish we had one of those here.

Fluid film inside rails and all over the underside. Not oil based and safe on rubber and plastic. Probably only need to coat the inside rails once every few years if you put a good coat on. I do my undercarriage before every winter.

Thank you 7echo. I appreciate your advice.

Thank you Steve. I've never heard of Fluid Film and will check it out.

It is petroleum based, and it will make rubber door seals, exhaust hangers, etc swell. It's easy enough to wipe off, but if left- it can make a mess of some rubber, requiring replacement. I replaced a hell of a lot of door seals on my old truck because I ignored this.

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Thank you sir. This sounds like need to know info! I checked out numerous reviews on line and the far majority were very complimentary.
No mention of issues with rubber. This is the reason I came to the T4R Household. You guys know by experience.

With this in mind, is the product good enough to apply, taking in to account the time necessary to wipe off every rubber component, or should I pass?

Also, clay can be as fine as baby powder and the manufacturer states that dirt will not build-up or cake on this product.

Does anyone have experience with mud or clay after coating their undercarriage with Fluid Film?

Thanks for all your advice. Hopefully my questions can help others considering the same issues.

It's great stuff. It pays to be tidy with the application. That's all I wanted to mention.

Excellent. Thank you again!

canada must have a different version of fluid film. the product i have, called fluid film, is lanolin-based. it has the same precaution, ie, may cause swelling to non oil-resistant rubber, but it is non-toxic, and not petroleum-based.


edit:

reading the MSDS, it does contain petroleum distillates. i stand corrected on that. the cans themselves do not list petroleum, only the lanolin based nature of the product.

from the fluid film website:

wally

edit:

reading the MSDS, it does contain petroleum distillates. i stand corrected on that. the cans themselves do not list petroleum, only the lanolin based nature of the product.

wally[/QUOTE]

Thank you for the edit Wally!

Thanks for clearing things up, guys. I was just basing it off my reading of the can. I personally do not over spray on everything possible, but I do spray the transfer case actuator cover and other items that have plastics, and I have had no trouble. Obviously, do not do anything you aren't comfortable with.

Yea Absolutely - coming from a T4R owner, in the winter/salt belt.
More undercoat reading:
That evil salt cancer trying to kill our babies

Thanks for the link. It was very informative.

Does anyone have any experience using these coatings to protect from sand, mud, and clay?

Don't coat it. I haven't had any after marketing coating in 50 years. New vehicles have improved corrosion resistance tremendously. Additional coating can be detrimental.

i have used fluid film since i bought my 07 sport. twice a year. once before the winter and again in the spring. i live on the east coast and i drive on the beaches to go fishing. the frame looks like it is brand new. i never coated the frame on my 01 when i had it and the frame fell apart. trying to preserve this one for as long as i can. currently at 180,000 miles and going strong.

Roger