Underbody Coating

UNDERBODY COATING:

• Underbody coating is usually a dense cladding (often based on rubber) applied uniformly to the undercarriage of the automobile. It is normally sprayed or painted on when the car is just out of the dealership and is clean. But even if you are getting the undercoating applied after a couple of years, it’s fine too. This is because it can prevent further damage to the undercarriage.
  
  
• In Indian road conditions, a cars underbody is most prone to corrosion. Underbody coating provides long term protection from corrosion to 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.
  
  
• The main purpose of undercoating is to check rust especially in the body components like frame rails along with other exposed metal parts. Underbody coating can also reduce wear and tear. Getting a fresh coat can cost you up to ₹6,000.

Types of Undercoating:

1. Rubberized Underbody Coating: This is generally thought of as the best underbody coating for your car. It preserves the underbody well, protecting it from scratches. Applying this to the undercarriage is not much of a hassle either.
   
   
   
   
2. Wax Based Underbody Coating: This – more or less – ephemeral undercoating will wear away in a few months’ time. On the upside, wax-based undercoating puts up a big fight against moisture. It is also the most affordable option out there.
   
   
3. Asphalt Based Automobile Undercoating: Best suited for lorries, trucks and large vehicles this provides a greater degree of protection compared to rubber-based coatings. However, asphalt-based coatings contain little amounts of rubber for sound-insulation purposes. The process of applying this coating is a bit time-consuming though.
   
   
   
   
4. Polyurethane Underbody Coating: This coating closes up splits and fractures on the underbody of the vehicle. It offers up good protection against corrosion and also bonds with the metal. Unlike in the case of asphalt-based coating, you can paint over the polyurethane coating.

Pros and Cons:

Pro's	Con's
Fights Rust- Helps where there is too much humidity, and rusting is just one of those everyday things	Less helpful if corrosion is already present- 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 still continue to occur.
Absorbs Noice- It minimizes the sound from underneath the car resulting a noiseless, smooth driving experience.	It works best on new cars- Cost of preparing the underbelly for an undercoating might be more than the value of the car.
Reinforcement- It will offer additional reinforcement, protecting the underbody from water, road debris, gravel and small pebbles.	Most vehicles make it five years before corrosion begins to show
Prolong car's life- Less rusting coupled with slower wear and tear can surely add years to the lifespan of your vehicle.	A third-party undercoating service might void your vehicle’s warranty.
Anti- chipping property- If any stone hits the coating it does not get chipped away hence protects the underbody from exposure to water.	An undercoating is not impervious to damage- Lifespan of this product may be minimal.

Conclusion: One of the secret ingredients for a car's longer lifespan is underbody covering. As it shields the vehicle from rust, mild wear and tear, tiny impacts from small pebbles, and dust. The underbody is strengthened by it. However, the coating is not permanent; with time, it wears off or chips. In comparison to dry areas, the coating deteriorates more quickly in damp areas. As a result, a checkup is necessary every one to two years.