Underbody Coating

UNDERBODY COATING

• Underbody Coating is a sprayable coating that protects the vehicle's undersurface from corrosion.
• Underbody coating provides long-term protection from corrosion to the car's underbody. It also protects parts like internal body panels, frame rails and other inner cavities that are not physically accessible but are prone to corrosion.
• Protecting the underbelly of the car should be our top priority. Especially during monsoon when heavy precipitation causes the roads to become mini-rivers and our cars are left stranded there. This makes them prone to heavy corrosion in the underbody.

• And thickness of the coating varies for different vehicles.

Types:

1. Rubberized undercoating
2. Polyurethane undercoating
3. Wax or paraffin-Based undercoating
4. Asphalt-Based undercoating

Rubberized Undercoating:

• Undercoating is easy to apply and offers sound-cushioning as well as protection from dust, moisture, and dings or dents.
• In addition to your undercarriage, rubberized undercoating is also safe to use on wheel wells and quarter panels, and dries to a soft rubbery finish that prevents further rust, damage, or moisture seeps. The coating can be painted over and, if necessary for bodywork, can be easily removed with an undercoating removal spray.
• Overall, Rubberized Undercoating is generally the best option for protecting your vehicle's undercarriage, as it provides the simplest and best protective measures against rust and moisture

Polyurethane Undercoating:

• The other option for undercoating your vehicle is to use a polyurethane-based sealant. This type of vehicle undercoating is a little bit quicker and easier to apply.
• Oftentimes, polyurethane undercoating will come in a canister and preload into an application gun. This type of sealant works by seeping into all cracks and seams, displacing salt and moisture and oozing around rusty areas to bond with and protect the unoxidized metal. It also sands quickly in case you'll need to perform bodywork and can be painted over.
• On the flip side, this type of car undercoating generally requires a little bit more surface prep work before applying -- sanding and applying an etching primer to bare metals before using are generally recommended.

Wax or Paraffin-Based Undercoatings:

• A paraffin-based undercoating will be the cheapest and quickest option to protect your vehicle's undercarriage. However, keep in mind that it will wear off quicker than other undercoating types and must be stripped and reapplied at least once every year.
• Wax-based undercoatings never truly harden. They drip or flow into seams and cracks during application to provide protective properties. They are usually available in a spray gun canister or an aerosol can and offer at least a base protection in moderately humid climates.

Asphalt-Based Undercoating:

• For standard vehicles, any of the aforementioned types of undercoating will provide sufficient protection. For large trucks and heavy machinery, asphalt-based undercoating provides a bit of extra durability against rocks, chips, and moisture.
• Asphalt-based undercoating generally contains a bit of rubberized material that sets up firmly and helps soften noise. Generally sold in five-gallon containers, this type of undercoating also needs more cure time than the other three, and is NOT paintable, making it best to use only for undercarriages.

It protects the underbody substrates from:

• Environmental conditions
• Impacts
• Dampens sound and vibration
• Insulates against cold and heat
• Protects against Corrosion
• Seals off seams
• Hides welds, repairs & bodywork with spray

Process-

• When it comes to updating your vehicle or using any coating, remove the rust first and then proceed. Rust removal is easily achieved by sandblasting or sanding, depending on the area and the extent of the rust.
• Once you've removed the rust and prepped your undercarriage for coating, give it a quick rinse and let it dry to ensure you aren't further trapping any contaminants on your vehicle's underbelly. Using a degreaser to clean the metal first is also recommended.
• Most undercoating is generally applied with a spray gun. A disposable spray gun will work best; once the undercoating hardens, it becomes very difficult to clean the gun even with a lot of thinners. A Schutz disposable spray gun is the best option.
• No matter what type of vehicle undercoating you've selected, two coats will provide the optimum protection. Allow ample dry time between coats.
• Let the undercoating cure completely (usually overnight) before driving your vehicle on the road.

• Fights Rust
  It plays an important role in keeping corrosion at bay. Underbody coating can come in handy especially if you live near the sea, where there is too much humidity, and rusting is just one of those everyday things. You should also seriously consider undercoating if you reside in a place where it snows in winter.

• Absorbs Noise
  Believe it or not, very thick undercoating can soften the noises that reach the cabin. Since the undercoating is often made up of rubber it absorbs some of the rackets. The occupants of the car could spare themselves of the road noises – at least up to a certain extent.

• Reinforcement
  If your car comes with stock underbody coating, using another coating on top of it, is not going to hurt. It will offer additional reinforcement, protecting the underbody from water, road debris, gravel and small pebbles. There would also be a lesser chance for the factory coat to flake away.

• Prolong Car’s Life
  Good undercoating not only defends the underbody from corrosion but also protects the engine and transmission as well! Less rusting coupled with slower wear and tear can surely add years to the lifespan of your vehicle. There would be fewer dents, dings and scratches on the undercarriage for you to fret about

Disadvantages of an undercoating

• It is less helpful if corrosion is already present.
  For undercoating to be the most effective, it should be in place before the underbelly of your car begins to rust. If you apply it over corrosion, you will still isolate the metal from further moisture and airflow, which is good, but the existing oxidizing/rusting process will continue to occur. After the rust is already present, applying an undercoating will slow the continuation of the corrosion process and will make your vehicle look better… until the rust breaks its way through the layer of undercoating you’ve applied. If you have rust present, it is better to remove the rust and then apply the undercoating.
  
• It works best on new cars.
  If you’ve purchased a used vehicle, then the cost of preparing the underbelly for an undercoating might be more than the value of the car. You must remove all the residue from the bottom before it can be applied. Failing to do so will seal in the debris that is present already, which can lead to more problems. The best time to have an undercoating applied is when a vehicle is purchased new because it offers a superior level of protection then.

• Most vehicles make it five years before corrosion begins to show.
  For vehicle owners who purchase something new every 3 to 5 years, then rustproofing may not be a good use of your cash. Although undercoating does add value to a used car, that only applies when the rustproofing product used provides a transferrable lifetime warranty. Most vehicles that are on the road today can make it five years before any corrosion begins to show. It may be 7 to 10 years before the functionality of the vehicle is negatively impacted by the lack of an undercoating. If you wash your vehicle regularly, especially during the winter months, then you might be able to save the time and money required for this service.

• A third-party undercoating service might void your vehicle’s warranty.
  Some new cars no longer need the undercoating service provided because the structure of the vehicle has it built-in already. If you hire a third-party provider to apply an undercoating, you could void the corrosion-perforation warranty that is factory-provided. Most vehicles today that leave the factory floor are all provided with included rust-proofing.
• If you are purchasing a used vehicle, an undercoating to a clean underbelly could extend the life of the vehicle and give it more value. For new vehicle purchases, you should ask the dealer what rustproofing options are included before paying for a separate undercoating option. Ask for documentation of what is provided instead of taking the word of the salesperson or the service personnel.
• Many dealers have language in their terms and conditions that only written agreements are binding.

• An undercoating is not impervious to damage.
  An undercoating can provide a hardened layer of protection against dirt and debris that may cause corrosion. Depending on where you drive, however, the lifespan of this product may be minimal. If you drive your vehicle on gravel roads or dirty areas frequently, you reduce the integrity of the protective layer. You might find that your undercoating begins to chip off in as little as 25,000 miles because of this issue. Driving in a salty environment is not the only threat to the integrity of this product.