Thoughts on undercoating (2 Viewers)

[kcjaz]

I have never had any car I’ve owned undercoated. I grew up in the North and have some tolerance/acceptance for surface rust. I don’t need Arizona brand new looking perfect. That said, my new 2025 Tacoma is the first brand new vehicle I’ve ever purchased and I intend to keep it a long time so maybe doing some kind of undercoating before its first KC winter isn’t a bad idea.

The question is, what type of coating should I use? I don’t really like the oil or lanolin based type products because they seem to just sticks to it, makes working on stuff underneath messy, and they have to be reapplied every year. I think wax based products might be better in that regard but not sure. A rubberized coating seems like it would be good for a new vehicle but one thing I know about coatings is they are only as good as their application. Any defect that allows moisture under the coating will create the potential for hidden corrosion that would probably be worse than any surface rust.

So, that brings me to polyurethane or other paint type products. To me, these are the best but also the hardest to apply. I’ve thought about essentially painting the undercarriage with POR15 or other type paint, and then have a lanolin based products sprayed on the inside frame parts. I’m just not sure that much work is worth it.

What the Mudd crew doing with their new Tacos?

 

[TheBussman]

I've sprayed a few of the new tacomas. The new frame design is great, they did away with overlapping layers of steel. I'm sure they aren't going to get rust holes as bad as the older generations. i use the messy lanolin product. Your right is does have a downside but it totally works. I would look into wax undercoating, i think it could work well on a brand new truck and pickup less dirt. That being said it's not going to last forever, and years from now when it does get thin you'll have to recoat with lanolin to keep protection.

 

[Romer]

Never undercoated a vehicle so can't really comment other than I have no plans to. I haven't regreted it, but then maybe I don't know how nice it is Is it like seat heaters you swear you don't need them until you get a rig with it and then it becomes a required option from then on.

Like you, I also have a 200 series so between the two I don't put a lot of miles on either. In bad weather, I would drive the 200 as truck as a low weight back end than can slide easier on ice, even with sand bags. I didn't say will slide, I said easier than the 200 which is loaded with drawers, tools, parts, fridge, bumper, two spare tires and an Aux fuel tank all over the rear tires

 

[pappy]

Is it like seat heaters you swear you don't need them until you get a rig with it and then it becomes a required option from then on.

Funny, Ken. I specifically ordered my truck with bun warmers. It was not optional.

 

[Romer]

Funny, Ken. I specifically ordered my truck with bun warmers. It was not optional.

Wait until you are someplace freezing this winter. You will say the same about the steering wheel heater. Unless that was already required. It was for me after driving the 200 during the winter here in Colorado.

 

[pappy]

Wait until you are someplace freezing this winter. You will say the same about the steering wheel heater. Unless that was already required. It was for me after driving the 200 during the winter here in Colorado.

The heated steering wheel was part of the upgrade package with the heated seats. When I picked up my Dirtbox I drove home in a snow storm. I tried the heated steering wheel. Oh baby. I get it.