Undercoating the 4Runner

[lbostons]

How many of you have decided to immediately (or shortly after buying) get the 4Runner under coated after purchasing? I don’t believe it comes with an undercoating from the factory (is that right?). I am considering doing this and have found a couple local companies who perform it. Any recommendations from the group? Zeibarts is one of the companies which I believe is a national chain.

Thanks,

Boston

 

[Matt831]

The 4Runner comes with nothing from the factory.

I prefer to use Fluid Film. I apply once every fall and then touch up as needed with a can throughout the winter.

 

[Hyde802]

My dad got a new runner in the spring, so with 60 miles on the odometer, we pumped 2 gallons of fluid film onto the underside. I hate rust.

Edit: We usually apply yearly in fall, then touch up in the spring. And learn to love that fluid film smell!

 

[4RPower]

A Fluid Film shop will put the vehicle on a lift and spray the product on. Your mechanic won't be too happy about this, the process makes all undercarriage parts appear to be covered in oil. But it does work, and has for over 50 years. FF now comes in black, it was clear only before. Black is easier to apply because you can see what has been already been sprayed. I get yearly touch ups. Undercoating Locator | Fluid Film

 

[L1011]

Do these oil undercoatings negate an already rusty 4Runner? Mine has a lot of rust from our wonderful salty NH winter roads.

 

[Hyde802]

Do these oil undercoatings negate an already rusty 4Runner? Mine has a lot of rust from our wonderful salty NH winter roads.

No it will only slow it down. The only way to get rid of rust is to cut it out.

 

[Too Stroked]

How many of you have decided to immediately (or shortly after buying) get the 4Runner under coated after purchasing? I don’t believe it comes with an undercoating from the factory (is that right?). I am considering doing this and have found a couple local companies who perform it. Any recommendations from the group? Zeibarts is one of the companies which I believe is a national chain.

Thanks,

Boston

If you truly value your new 4Runner, get it rust proofed. If you really want the treatment to work, do not use Ziebart - and I'm speaking from extensive personal experience. Ziebart is a high pressure outfit more interested in emptying your pockets than truly protecting your vehicle. Ask me how I knw that. I could go on for hours about how and why their process doesn't work, but I have to run to the dentist.

Personally, I would recommend an oil based system such as Krown, Waxoyl or Fluid Film.

 

[lbostons]

If you truly value your new 4Runner, get it rust proofed. If you really want the treatment to work, do not use Ziebart - and I'm speaking from extensive personal experience. Ziebart is a high pressure outfit more interested in emptying your pockets than truly protecting your vehicle. Ask me how I knw that. I could go on for hours about how and why their process doesn't work, but I have to run to the dentist.

Personally, I would recommend an oil based system such as Krown, Waxoyl or Fluid Film.

Thanks everyone for the valuable feedback. There is a place in Columbus, Ohio who does do the Fluid Film. I was trying to avoid it because it appears to be a yearly application but my intent is to have the vehicle long term. My current Tundra is almost 9 years old with almost 200K of mileage.

 

[Hyde802]

yes it yearly. it wears off in "splash spots"

Im not sure what they are charging, but if youre able to do it your self, youll save a bunch of money.

You can get sprayers for $50-150, Then get fluid film on amazon for $36 a gallon (or oriellys has it too) Buy a 5 gal pail for the price of 4 gallons usually.

Amazon.com: Kellsport Products Fluid Film & Woolwax Undercoating Spray Gun with Extension Wand : Automotive

Best thing to do is spray it on on a hot day, then take a long dusty dirt road ride to cake it all in.

If you apply then right away drive on the highway in the rain, a lot of it will wash off.

 

[Too Stroked]

Do these oil undercoatings negate an already rusty 4Runner? Mine has a lot of rust from our wonderful salty NH winter roads.

No spray on coating is going to stop rust or turn back the clock on the damage it causes. Why? Because in order to neutralize rust, you must have 100% surface contact with it and most rust is several layers thick (for surface rust) and rusting from the back side on everything else. The best treatment for rust is never to let it get started. Once it's started, it's virtually impossible to stop.

Speaking of which, that's another serious flaw with Ziebart undercoating. Although if properly applied (which it rarely is), it theoretically should prevent rust from starting, they only spray exterior surfaces underneath your vehicle. Guess where the worst frame rust starts? Inside the box sections. They never touch these areas. I was lucky enough to have the entire inside of my frame coated with the latest stuff Toyota now uses to treat Tacoma frames before it went over to the local WaxOyl shop to do everything else.

 

[Logansky]

I'm seriously considering this also for my 3 day old TRD Off Road Premium.
if the dealership mechanics aren't happy well I just wrote the check for almost $50K they didn't.
Krown rustproofing is close but I'm not to keen on them drilling holes in a brand new vehicle. The only fluid film installers near me near my zip code (south central Pa.) seem to be backyard shops and won't let me wait on my vehicle. Not sure why fluid film considers them a recommended installer. I've watched the Steel City undercoating videos on you tube but they are 3 hours away.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Logansky

 

[Metalsaber]

I got mine undercoated because of living in the rust belt.

 

[Too Stroked]

I'm seriously considering this also for my 3 day old TRD Off Road Premium.
if the dealership mechanics aren't happy well I just wrote the check for almost $50K they didn't.
Krown rustproofing is close but I'm not to keen on them drilling holes in a brand new vehicle. The only fluid film installers near me near my zip code (south central Pa.) seem to be backyard shops and won't let me wait on my vehicle. Not sure why fluid film considers them a recommended installer. I've watched the Steel City undercoating videos on you tube but they are 3 hours away.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Logansky

This should help:

Complete Corrosion Protection for my New T4R

 

[Buba1]

The minute I drove it new off the lot I took it to get undercoated. Harsh winter conditions here plus the use of a lot of road salt is a no brainer to get it coated as soon as possible, especially when its brand new and all shiny, you want to keep it that way for many years to come!

 

[Turfboy]

Recognize that I live in Idaho so my experience may not translate. No salt on roads. I will get under and hit any spots with a neutralizer and then overcoat with an encapsulator. I use a wire brush first if it looks “bubbly”. Most of my rust has been on the bottom front side of my slider rails.

 

[Roverguy1]

I've used Krown on my vehicles for years. Here in Ontario it's not only salt but the even worse brine on the roads in the winter. Fluid film sounds like a great option too. I don't mind that they've drilled some holes, it gets it into more and harder to reach spots.

 

[AustenKorowski]

Look into WoolWax over fluid film. People keep saying on forum posts that they're made by the same company but can't find where that's true.

Regardless, Woolwax is heavier duty and much more resistance to wash off from puddles, less likely to drip, and most say it smells better.

I applied it for the first time last winter, them proceeded to get about 30 carwashes (don't judge me) after winter was over with underbody wash. Just reapplied it last weekend and almost 70% of the Woolwax was still there. It's really nice thick stuff.

 

[Matt831]

Fluid Film has gone on all my body on frame trucks. But next year I think I am going over to WoolWax.

 

[Relentlesskaizen]

Not sure if anyone uses cosmoline, that’s what I used. Does it smell, yes. However you aren’t removing it without brake clean or a similar solvent. Also it kind of self heals, when I was off reading in Colorado I hit my hitch and scrape it off couple of days later in the heat it kinda filled back in. Been through about 30 washes (weekly wash) with underbody spray and it’s not going any where. It is super messy though and does not just wipe off especially when it dries.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[abranz]

Idaho uses 100% salt in liquid brine and solid NACL types and have been for the last 10 years. Being in Boise your vehicle will likely be exposed to less of the product due to its shorter winter season but it’s all the IDT uses.