Rust Prevention on 05 Tundra - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

brucea · #1 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 01:16 PM

Hi,
I'm trying to get some advice on preventing rust on my truck, especially the underbody/components and engine compartment components.

Background:
I live in Texas and kayak a lot on the Gulf Coast therefore I'm in sand and salt/mud a lot. I try to thoroughly clean the truck after every trip by spraying the entire underbody and engine compartment with fresh water and then doing an underbody pass through the mechanical car washing machine.
I still see spots of rust especially on the underbody. Just recently I took off the skid plate (to change the front diff. lube) and found that the rust was much worse under there.

Questions:
(1) Are there better ways or different things I should consider for cleaning?
(2) Are there treatments or coatings that can be applied that will reduce the susceptibility of rust?

thanks for your help

123Gone · #2 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 01:56 PM

1. Clean the rust off as best you can: Use a degreaser first, then use a phosphoric acid wash (85% diluted 20:1). You may be able to buy a pre-diluted product with added degreasers. Phosphoric acid will convert rust in to a water soluble iron phosphate. Rust will blacken as it is converted. Rinse with water thoroughly when finished. Note: A gel type phosphoric wash called Navel Jelly can be found in many hardware stores.

2. Let the areas dry and then coat with a rust preventative such as POR-15: POR-15 Inc.

TundraSurfBum · #3 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 10:49 AM

Por-15

VIP-01 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 11:06 AM

I had my trucks undercarriage, inner fenders/wheel wells and the engine compartment thoroughly cleaned, treated then coated with a polyurithane type mixture (or something that looks like it, anyway) that formed to all the surfaces it made contact with. It's a permanent coating that seals the surface area and even made it easier to clean mud off. And it made the wheel wells and engine bay look alot better

kas1963 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-05-2008, 09:01 AM

I'm not sure if the company is in the USA but here in Ontario I've always used a company called Krown rust proofing. It has done a good job for me. Its a spray that is applied underneath as well as inside the panels. It drips out for a few days but it seems to work.