How to Apply Fluid Film Undercoating to Protect Frame + Underbody of Truck/Suv
Products used:
Fluid Film Gallon: amzn.to/3DTMnNc
3-Pack Aerosol: amzn.to/3e1Sh1X
Flexible Wand: amzn.to/30g2iAu
Spray Gun: amzn.to/3FCSfvo
Today I show how to spray Fluid Film undercoating on the underside and inside/outside of the frame of a body-on-frame Truck or SUV, featuring my 1994 imported 80-Series Toyota Land Cruiser.
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FF works well. I use it annually on my Nissan truck, now 16 years old. The spray gun I use is called "TCP global air and rustproofing gun" (amazon) and comes with a 22" wand ( like the the one for the aerosol cans ). It works well for getting in frames, etc, but it's a little large in dia to get in tight places. So, like you, I also use some aerosol cans.
I've been an automotive tech in Cali for 20 yrs so I don't often see the extensive rust damaged vehicles like they have in other places, but man when we do it's truly a dreadful sight ☹️. This FF undercarriage coating you did here is one of the best ideas anyone who lives in those parts can do. Honestly this will prevent all the cancerous rot damage all those salty snow covered places are known for. Do it people!!!!! 🙏
We love working on vehicles from your region. Jobs don't multiply in time due to snapped rusty bolts. I had a 1 hr job turn into a 4 hr job last weekend thanks to a rusty bolt.
Yeah - our rigs practically melt in the midwest.
Stuff wears off constantly l. I just Ziebart get rust proofing and undercoat and go in for my warranty inspections every year
I just ordered the 6 pack, plus the wand off of Amazon, very helpful video, thank you for posting!
Done this, works very good, 11/2 years since I did it the first time, Gona do it again soon
Great video. Thank you
I go full-retard with fluid film every fall before the salt flies in northern Indiana
Me too ✋️ 🛻🛻🛻
I will do this in my next JDM. Up here in Alberta Canada 🇨🇦 salt is used 24/7 during winter
The salt and rust in Alberta is nothing compared to here in Nova Scotia.
Wonderful video!!!
Thank you very much!
Really well done - I just did my underbody with FF, I almost bought the 360 nozzle but it seemed overpriced, but that thing looks worth it. I'm probably going to pay to have my car undersprayed each year going forward, but I might pick up one of those nozzles. Incidentally the one you linked is "unavailable" now.
It's still well worth it to pay to have it done. Most places around here will do it for $100. I bet they're sold out of nozzles because it's fluid film season... I'll see if I can find another one to link. Thanks!
That’s a great job saving one Toyota @ a time. 👍. Didn’t fluid film come up with a black coloured fluid film
Thanks! They do have a black one now, but I haven't tried it yet.
I'm gonna try to undercoat my pick up truck with fluid film within the next two weeks in 30f to 40f weather. Got the undercoating gun and compressor ready, haven't tested the gun yet. Hopefully I should be still be able to spray the fluid film evenly if I just keep the gallon of fluid film inside the house at room temperature for refills. Clogging is a problem at cold temperatures for other sprays/paints but I read fluid film is more forgiving of cold applications.
I've found that it does get a little thicker at cooler/cold temps. Sometimes when I'm spraying and the gun starts to get low about half way through and stops working, I just tap the bottom on the floor and the fluid film moves to the bottom and starts spraying again
So FYI to anybody thinking about spraying outside in colder Temps: as in 25F-30F. It CAN be done but I suggest you have the gallon or bucket of fluid film inside a warmed room during refills with the sprayer. I diluted the amount of fluid film by 10% with canola oil to stop the undercoating gun from spitting/sputtering in the cold. I used more conola oil when using a multi-directional spraying wand for inside the frame, as those smaller wand tip holes are much easier to clog up than the undercoating guns own nozzle.
Great advice, thanks!
I use Rust Check myself which is very similar to both Fluid Film and Krown.
I haven't tried it before, I'll check it out!
I'm a new mechanic (went back to school during the pandemic for a new career), so I have access to a lift, a compressor, the detail shop's cleaning equipment as well as an industrial floor scrubber for the aftermath. I'm in Ohio and with my folks getting older and consciously trying to pile up less stuff the idea of fluid filming the family's cars as a Christmas present is looking pretty good. They're definitely not going to be *new*, but I'm wondering if you have any additional thoughts on treating cars with existing (non-structural) rust, and clearing out any existing salt buildup. Am I nuts to think I can just stick a pressure washer and compressed air in the frame holes and then fluid film once it's dry? Apologies if you already have a video on this, let me know what the title is if so.
Fluid film over existing rust will help to slow it down. You're absolutely right, power washing the inside of the frame and fluid filming after it's completely dry is a good idea. However, if the frames are anything like the frames of my old toyotas, the inside of the frame will have debris too large to blast out with a pressure washer and compressed air. Here's a video showing the amount of rust and debris on the inside of a frame:kzhead.info/sun/ic-EqK19h32LdIk/bejne.html start watching around the 5:00 mark and feel hopeless about ever driving anything nice year around in Ohio.
You seem to be as OCD as i am. I would first use CRC Marine Heavy Duty, let it dry for a day then hit it with the fluid film. Fluid film is definitely better for the inside of the frame. But after looking at project farm’s video I swear by CRC. I was looking on Patrsouq and it appears they sell brand new frames for certain models. I may buy a frame for my toyota hilux N70 and just keep it in storage. Before I undercoat i do a THOROUGH under wash then wipe EVERYWHERE with rubbing alcohol for best adhesion
Great video, Ive been using fluid film for 5 year, works great, just irritating when people dont do it when the vehicle is brand new when its MOST IMPORTANT. Esp in the stupid salt belt of OHIO. I use natural tan color for inner body and the BLACK fluid film for frames and undercarriage, looks way better in the end. BTW, youre a brave man doing that in your garage! That floor turned into an ice rink once that overspray fell. I'll only spray my undercarriage out in the field when its nice out, learn how much a mess it makes the first time.
You're 100% correct - brand new is the best time to start applying before every winter. I had an Acura that I sprayed before every winter, but during the 6 years it was previously owned before me, it was never sprayed and it still ended up getting rusty - although i'm sure still less than if I never sprayed it at all. The overspray isn't too bad, but it does get a little slick! The smell sure hangs around the garage for a while though.
@@6thGearGarage Yeah, that Fluid film stank! lol
Seems like the aerosol cans are actually significantly cheaper for most people. I don't own an air compressor, the nozzle, or a respirator, so the cans are only $10.48 a piece, so total $104.80 for 10 cans, which is more than enough. Some people say 6-8 cans, so $62.88-$83.84. Some people even say 4 cans, which is $41.92. Versus all of this, $43 for the gallon of fluid film, $62.50 for the spray gun, and that's already more, without even adding the air compressor. I sprayed 2 cans today, and yes, it was a pain in the ass holding down that nozzle, it wasn't easy. And It was harder to get in the awkward places. But 2 cans and I'd already say I got 95% of it. I think I'll do at least1, maybe 2 more cans just to really get a layer on it before winter, probably in October, unless we get snow early this year. Great video though, very helpful, and very helpful in knowing what to spray. Like near the brakes, I did, but was a little worried about doing that. And you let me know that I shouldn't have sprayed the exhaust lol idk why I did that, I saw rust, so I sprayed. Didn't even think about how it'll just burn off anyways. And good to know I can spray the whole CV joint area and suspension. Last year, I had a Ford Focus, and the wheel fell off while I was driving because it rusted off. Don't ever want that to happen again, especially not with my expensive truck. 2014 truck, so there's already a bit of rust. Next year I'll get a sander and get rid of all of the rust
If you don't own a compressor, aerosol is the way to go. I do multiple vehicles every year and already own a compressor, so the gun made sense for me. Either route is worth it compared to having to deal with rust. If you're buying a lot of aerosol cans, you can find better deals buying them by the case.
Looks great. What do you do before to prepare the underbody ? Remove surface rust and a rinse? Wait to dry ?
If there is any heavy rust to the point of flaking off, it should be removed first. Putting fluid film over light surface rust is actually a perfect use of the product. I would dash off any mud or heavy dirt and then just make sure the surface is dry before application.
Have you tried Fluid Film Black? I’ve been using that the last couple years, looks nice!
I haven’t tried it yet, but it looks good!
Good video. I just wonder how this works if you do beach driving? I would think all that beach sand would stick to all that oil and make a real mess. Then how to clean it all off? I imagine high pressure water would take the Fluid Film off?
Great point... sand would absolutely stick to it. At that point, I think a pressure washer would be the best way to clean it off.
Great video! How many PSI on the compressor?
On the gun I used, I think it was about 40 psi
Also, how much product did you use on 1 truck (not counting the aerosol)
Half of one gallon is plenty for one truck.
Do you wash the frame before applying? I never wash under my truck from fear of causing rust to start.
I did not, but if there is any dried mud, I'd wash it first. Just give it plenty of time to dry completely before spraying.
what kind of air compressor is needed for this job?
I have an old 20 gal DeVilbiss that works great for this
My son just bought an 88 toyota truck 4x4 xcab, bed has usual rust, but he didnt check the frame, man its got holes all over ! Thinking i might try to repair it , he just wants to sell lol
Sorry to hear that... Depending on your location, I'd shop around for a frame or a decent parts truck.
Have you applied fluid film on top of rubberized undercoating ?
Only if it was already there from the factory. I avoid spray-on rubberized undercoating because if a rock chip penetrates the coating, salt will enter the pinhole and start rusting behind the undercoating, continuing to spread.
can you paint over this coating?
Not at all, it would be like applying paint over an oily surface.
Why dont you buy a classic car as a project
I actually have a classic truck lined up for my next project. Well, classic to someone my age. I’d love a 1953 F100, but they’re far beyond my price range ;)
It broke my sprayer lol wouldn’t even spray
When you showed the footage at the very beginning of the Swiss cheese rotten framed automotive abominations my heart dropped into my stomach I got that same feeling like on a roller coaster before you puke 🤢
Sadly, it's a regular sight around here. I just checked the frame yesterday on another cheap Yota I picked up and the hammer went right through the bottom :( Parts truck it is...
He trying to talk with his hands like Scotty Kilmer you not Scotty Kilmer get out of here