Is rustproofing worth it?

S

sherryKangz

New member
Hi,

I have a 2016 Limited and I live in Wisconsin. With the winters approaching, I am thinking about rustproofing my 4Runner. I won't be able to do paint or oil spray at home due to health reasons. Therefore, I have talked to couple of local rustproofing businesses and they are quoting between $500 to $600. Do you guys think it is worth spending $500 for getting rustproofing?


Thanks!
Sherry
 
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I know some people believe in rustproofing, some don't. But my aunt bought a Ford Explorer (new) and kept it nearly 10 years. She had the Ziebart rustproofing and undercoating done... no rust whatsoever while she owned it. She drove it/lived in Wisconsin Rapids almost the entire time she owned it.

So, I kinda' think it helps. But I've also been told that you have to periodically take your vehicle in to have it re-applied or make sure it's holding up (apparently it's not a once-and-done deal).

Now four wheel drive/mechanical reliability... she had some problems with it. There's not much you can do to help a Ford in that area. ;)
 
sherryKangz said:
Hi,

I have a 2016 Limited and I live in Wisconsin. With the winters approaching, I am thinking about rustproofing my 4Runner. I won't be able to do paint or oil spray at home due to health reasons. Therefore, I have talked to couple of local rustproofing businesses and they are quoting between $500 to $600. Do you guys think it is worth spending $500 for getting rustproofing?


Thanks!
Sherry
Click to expand...

I just sold my 2002 Honda Odyssey 2 weeks ago, it has 300,000 kms.(186,335 miles). I've owned it since day 1, rustproofed every 18 months ($150 CAN or $113 USD/every 18 months) by a company called Corrosion Free by Canadian Tire. Not 1 spot of rust on that van when I sold it. If I didn't rust proofed it...would I get the same results?..the answer would be I will never know. You be the judge..BTW I am from Ontario Canada and we get a fair amount of snow and salt over here.
 
amalik said:
Not trying to create a debate or stir here, but more for curiosity sake, so you don't believe in the impact of say the Fluid Film product?
Click to expand...

At best it prevents minor, cosmetic surface rust that never progresses to anything.

At worst it can plug up drainage holes in the frame, trapping saltwater instead of letting it drain out.

It also doesn't really work that well on moving parts and has to be constantly reapplied.

Washing the vehicle once a week or more in winter is still cheaper than an undercoat--assuming your carwash blasts the undercarriage.
 
I'll keep this short and to the point. Fluid film is the answer.


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MrRoo said:
I'll keep this short and to the point. Fluid film is the answer.


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Click to expand...

FluidFilm has it's uses but rust proofing a vehicle - unless you're willing to reapply it several times during the season - is not one of them. I fluid-filmed my wife's Infiniti last November and it was all gone by January 1. This is in the Chicago area and she drives about 20k miles a year so there's that.

This year I am trying boiled linseed oil on her car - we will see how that goes.

My 4Runner was rust-proofed by the dealer so I will keep an eye on that. I rust-proofed my Suburban by making my own wax-oil and injecting it into the body and spraying it everywhere underneath the truck. It's well known in the British car world - here is the recipe:
http://www.healey6.com/Technical/Waxoyl.pdf
 
Just get rid of the stuff that rusts! lol. Seriously though the only issue i have is with the skid plates. The screens they put on them rust. Probably gonna get some ARB plates at some point
 
ToyotaSan said:
I just sold my 2002 Honda Odyssey 2 weeks ago, it has 300,000 kms.(186,335 miles). I've owned it since day 1, rustproofed every 18 months ($150 CAN or $113 USD/every 18 months) by a company called Corrosion Free by Canadian Tire. Not 1 spot of rust on that van when I sold it. If I didn't rust proofed it...would I get the same results?..the answer would be I will never know. You be the judge..BTW I am from Ontario Canada and we get a fair amount of snow and salt over here.
Click to expand...

The question isn't so much whether it works, it's "is it worth it"?

^^ This guy spent $1500 CDN for rustproofing. Question is "did he get it back in resale". Who knows? Personally, I doubt it. There are many things that will crap out long before rust ruins it.

It's like plastic seat covers - makes me wonder "are you saving it for the next guy"?

Other than leaks, I don't care what it looks like under there. Other, more important things in life, etc.
 
IMO if you live in the rust belt I KNOW you would not have these opinions on rust prevention .

the rust belt of USA/CANADA is a big rusting problem and not just for sheet metal . I am taking about frames and rotors, brake/fuel lines it goes on and on .

you live where there is not much continuous snow/ice and below freezing temps then you have no idea what's gonna happen.

some who use their vehicles in the snow storms , like plow trucks do the rust proofing every year .

live in san diego CA it would be a waste of money . its about your location .
 
yes just do it. 500-700 is too much. I got quoted 200 the other day for fluid film. I'd stick with fluid film type products. asphalt undercoating is so messy and will never be the same. fluid film you can just pressure wash off, or just keep adding coats . POR15 or that kind of stuff on a new car doesn't make sense.

Fluid Film Undercoating Locations
 
Depends how long you plan on keeping your truck. If you are a typical 7yr/100k mile owner, then you are probably fine not rustproofing. If you plan on keeping it for longer, then do yourself a favor and do a google search for 3rd gen 4Runner frame rust. You'll see then the value of preventing rust NOW. Spend a little bit of money now or spend a lot of money and time later fighting rust that could have been prevented.
 
Not sure why it is so expensive but I can't remember what my first application cost me, 19 yr old 4R and yearly Krown applications. Put it to you this way, it can't hurt but you also need to wash the under carriage weekly through the winter months.

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LandCruiser said:
At best it prevents minor, cosmetic surface rust that never progresses to anything.

At worst it can plug up drainage holes in the frame, trapping saltwater instead of letting it drain out.

It also doesn't really work that well on moving parts and has to be constantly reapplied.

Washing the vehicle once a week or more in winter is still cheaper than an undercoat--assuming your carwash blasts the undercarriage.
Click to expand...
Im also in Denver, what carwash for sure does undercarriage?

Btw i was going to apply fluifilm soon before the snow. I never have before so im kinda late to the game (3rd gen) but well see what happens.

This is the first im hearing of a frame drain plug being potentially blocked.

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amalik said:
Im also in Denver, what carwash for sure does undercarriage?

Btw i was going to apply fluifilm soon before the snow. I never have before so im kinda late to the game (3rd gen) but well see what happens.

This is the first im hearing of a frame drain plug being potentially blocked.

Sent from my LGMS428 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

The first thing I do the day after I have to drive on that mag chloride shit they put on state roads here is take it to the self serve car wash and spray the undercarriage, fender wheels and body panels off.

Self serve car wash water is heated.

I don't care if it gets dirty the minute I leave, the mag chloride is gone.

And don't even get me fired up about mag chloride. That shit ought to be illegal. The reason the DOT likes it is because it's cheap (the supplier subsidizes it) and easy.

Ask any Owner/Operator of a big rig that has to drive in Colorado (or anywhere they use that crap) what he/she thinks of it. It causes tens of millions of dollars of damage to vehicles annually and some of those big rigs are 3,4,5K machines.
 
Blitzkrieg said:
The first thing I do the day after I have to drive on that mag chloride shit they put on state roads here is take it to the self serve car wash and spray the undercarriage, fender wheels and body panels off.

Self serve car wash water is heated.

I don't care if it gets dirty the minute I leave, the mag chloride is gone.

And don't even get me fired up about mag chloride. That shit ought to be illegal. The reason the DOT likes it is because it's cheap (the supplier subsidizes it) and easy.

Ask any Owner/Operator of a big rig that has to drive in Colorado (or anywhere they use that crap) what he/she thinks of it. It causes tens of millions of dollars of damage to vehicles annually and some of those big rigs are 3,4,5K machines.
Click to expand...

So you just wash with the water and leave? i.e. no foam brush stuff?
 
Blitzkrieg said:
The first thing I do the day after I have to drive on that mag chloride shit they put on state roads here is take it to the self serve car wash and spray the undercarriage, fender wheels and body panels off.

Self serve car wash water is heated.

I don't care if it gets dirty the minute I leave, the mag chloride is gone.

And don't even get me fired up about mag chloride. That shit ought to be illegal. The reason the DOT likes it is because it's cheap (the supplier subsidizes it) and easy.

Ask any Owner/Operator of a big rig that has to drive in Colorado (or anywhere they use that crap) what he/she thinks of it. It causes tens of millions of dollars of damage to vehicles annually and some of those big rigs are 3,4,5K machines.
Click to expand...

Does Colorado salt its roads? Or just that mag chrolride stuff?
 
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