2003 tacoma just under 200k miles, starting to see rust in my frame. This year of tacoma was apart of the frame recall. Is there something i can do to prevent my frame from rusting any more or anything to slow the process.
Depending on how bad it is, you may can still get a new frame.
As far as controlling rust, just do something or it will win.
Not sure how much time you want to put in it, but I suggest sanding/scraping it off as best you can and treat it with something like fluid film or woolwax at least. I prefer cosmoline because it lasts a long time, and the military has used it for decades. It is great on the outside of the frame that you can get to easy, the inside might be better with the fluid film or something that will creep better and cover the rust and choke it. I sprayed the inside of my non rusty frame with cosmoline the best I could, and am keeping an eye on it with a boroscope now and then.
You can also go the painting/rustoleum route, but that takes more prep work.
Hi, rather than start a new thread, I thought I'd ask about salt being used on roads. Isn't it true people will either go to a carwash or at home and use warm water to spray the underside of their vehicle? If so, how often is this done and what about retention of the fluid film? I have an old truck that I want to keep in good shape.
@markiv That is a bit of a tough question as far ass how often to wash it. I can't wash mine at home, I would have to drive at least ten miles over salt covered roads, so I don't hardly do it. Mine is coated with cosmoline, so it won't wash off, although if a stone hits a spot it may begin to rust there. You can see through the cosmoline, although it is rather brown, and I check for rust starting to form, and hit any spots as needed. It just depends where you live, and if you can wash it off at home.
I suggest you check out projectfarm on youtube, he made videos showing the difference in products use for rust protection including fluid film.
How bad is the rust? If the steel is perforated it's already too late. If not in too bad condition I've found Fluid Film to be pretty good at slowing down further rust.
Its all surface rust, nothing has gone all the way thru yet, theres one spot that is like chipping away
Now's the time to coat it then. Scrape off as much loose rust as possible. Choose a rust-retarding product that can be used to spray on the outside and inside of the frame. As mentioned I use Fluid Film but there are others out there. (I respray each fall before the start of winter/salt season. Fluid Film adheres well but some will inevitably wash off.)
You need to get a good coating by using something like an air gun loaded from gallon cans. Spray cans won't give enough coverage except maybe for small, tight spaces.