Underbody Coating

Under Body Coating

Under body coating is a thick resilient coating applied to the underbody or chassis of an automobile to protect against impact damage from small stones, which would rapidly chip ordinary paint, allowing rusting to begin. It also protects car underbody which is most exposed to the wear and tear caused by the muddy water, potholed roads and is most prone to corrosion. Because it is not in plain side, we do not see the damage.It also protects body pannels, frame rails and other cavities that are not physically accessible but are prone to corrosion. Under body coating provides long term protection from damage to the car's underbody.

Fig:- Before and after image of Underbody Rubber coating of Hyundai Creta

Types of Underbody Coating:

• Rubberized Undercoating

Rubberized Vehicle 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 coating 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 canisters ready to 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 unoxidized metal. It also sands quickly in case you'll need to perform bodywork and can be painted over.

On the flipside, 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 Undercoating

A paraffin-based undercoating will be the cheapest and quickest option available with which to protect the undercarriage of your vehicle. However, keep in mind that it will wear off quicker than other types of undercoating and will need to be stripped and reapplied at least once every year.

Wax-based undercoatings never truly harden. During application, they drip or flow into seams and cracks to provide protective properties. They are usually available in a spray gun canister or in 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 little bit of rubberized material that sets up firmly and also 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.

Pros of Underbody Coating:

• It minimizes the sound from underneath the car resulting a noiseless, smooth driving experience.
  
  
• It insulates the interior of the car from extreme temperatures from beneath the vehicle providing a comfortable cabin experience.
  
  
• If any stone hits the coating it does not get chipped away hence protects the underbody from exposure to water.

• It provides the layer of protection against corrosion.

• It will extend the life of vehicle.

Cons of Underbody Coating:

• It won’t do anything about the corrosion which is already present.
• It adds weight to the vehicle.