Underbody Coating
Under-body Coating
Seals on the underbelly parts have gotten a lot tighter and more effective at keeping out dust and moisture, but there are other factors to consider. Poor roads, rocks getting thrown from the tires and denting the metal and corrosion from road salt in the winter all play a huge part in the damage or decay of a vehicle's underbody. Used vehicles especially will need a little underbody protection while it's already been exposed to contaminants and rust, applying under-body coating will prevent further damage.
Under-body 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. 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 under-body coating applied after a couple of years, it’s fine too. This is because it can prevent further damage to the undercarriage.
Purpose of Under-body Coating
The main purpose of under-body coating is to check rust especially in the body components like frame rails along with other exposed metal parts. Under-body coating can also reduce wear and tear.
Types of Under-body coating
- Rubberized Under-body Coating
- Wax Based Underb-ody Coating
- Asphalt Based Automotive Under-coating
- Polyurethane Under-body Coating
1. Rubberized Under-body coating
Rubberized vehicle under-body coating 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 underbody coating 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 underbody coating removal spray.
Overall, rubberized coating is generally the best option for protecting your vehicle's undercarriage, as it providing the simplest and best protective measures against rust and moisture.
2. Wax or Paraffin-Based Under-body coating
A paraffin-based under-body coating 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 underbody coating and will need to be stripped and reapplied at least once every year.
Wax-based underbody coatings 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.
3. Asphalt-Based Under-body coating
For standard vehicles, any of the aforementioned types of under-body coating will provide sufficient protection. For large trucks and heavy machinery, asphalt-based under-body coating provides a bit of extra durability against rocks, chips, and moisture.
Asphalt-based under-body coating 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 under-body coating also needs more cure time than the other three, and is NOT paintable, making it best to use only for undercarriages.
4. Polyurethane Under-body coating
The other option for under-body coating your vehicle is to use a polyurethane-based sealant. This type of vehicle underbody coating is a little bit quicker and easier to apply. Oftentimes, polyurethane under-body coating will come in canisters ready to preload into an application gun. This type of sealant workings by seeping into all cracks and seams, displacing salt and moisture and oozing around rusty areas to bonded with and protect unoxidizing 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 underbody coating 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.
Under-body Coating Pros
- Fights Rust
- Absorbs Noise
- Reinforcement
- Prolong Car’s Life
1. 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 underbody coating if you reside in a place where it snows in winter.
2. Absorbs Noise
Believe it or not, very thick underbody coating can soften the noises that reach the cabin. Since the underbody coating 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 extend.
3. 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.
4. Prolong Car’s Life
Good underbody coating 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.
Under-body Coating Cons
A used vehicle may already have residue on the bottom of the car or even have spots of rust and corrosion. Undercoating will not help you if corrosion already exists and the corrosion needs to be removed first before it can be applied, which can be expensive for you.