Undercoating Questions

[Ryan F.]

I'm leaning toward not undercoating my truck as my mechanic told me that modern processes/production provide an adequate level of protection. However, in thinking about it, why wouldn't an owner wait for the rust warranty to run out, and rust proof at that time if it was needed? I understand that these undercoating companies provide a rust removal service as part of the application if that was an issue. It seems to me that Toyota has the critical components covered under warranty, and the initial expenditure is unnecessary. Am I screwed up here?

 

[Elk Hunter 2]

I didn't undercoat my 98 GMC JIMMY and it is rust free and I live in Chicago area. So I don't plan on undercoating my 4Runner.

 

[rook]

Take a look under a 4th gen and you will see Toyota did not do a good job w/corrosion proctection on the frame/chassis. Toyota has a history of inadequate protection on the frame. For example the Tacoma and Tundra recalls. Given the cost cutting measures Toyota took with G54R, I doubt they improved upon the previous version.

 

[shilly]

Undercoating a 2010 Toyota 4Runner is more likely to cause rust than prevent it. Check the lower edge along the doors and you will see the chip preventing undercoat primer that Toyota Puts under their paint to prevent rust in vulnerable areas. Rust is not an issue on modern Toyota bodies.

 

[Jtraskell]

I'm leaning toward not undercoating my truck as my mechanic told me that modern processes/production provide an adequate level of protection. However, in thinking about it, why wouldn't an owner wait for the rust warranty to run out, and rust proof at that time if it was needed? I understand that these undercoating companies provide a rust removal service as part of the application if that was an issue. It seems to me that Toyota has the critical components covered under warranty, and the initial expenditure is unnecessary. Am I screwed up here?

Undercoating does more then just provide additional rust protection. It also helps with sound deadening, dirt and mud build up etc. Now, directly to your question, wait until the warranty runs out then get undercoating? Yea, you can do that but are you really going to be looking under your vehicle daily over the next so many years? Once rust starts, it starts to degrade the steel immediately. Not to say it can't be cleaned off and the parts still work with no harm done, but why wait till that point? The comment that undercoating will cause more rust, I don't understand or agree with that one. Anytime you coat bear steel with a protectent, it will help prevent oxidation and even if you coat already coated steel with undercoating, which is generally thicker then primer/paint, it will help protect from rock chips which can penetrate the original primer/paint, adding an additional layer of protection. Not a bad thing. If you are worried about the additional cost, just take a look a an undercoated T4R and note which parts are covered, go to an automotive store and buy a few cans of undercoating spray and do it your self. It is not hard and you will probably do a better job then whomever else does it for you since you own the vehicle and you want to make sure all parts possible are covered. Good luck.