UNDERBODY COATING

AIM:

To report about the underbody coating and its purpose, its types in detail, and its pros and cons.

What is Underbody Coating:

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.

TYPES OF UNDERBODY PAINTING:

• Rubberized Undercoating:

Rubberized 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.

• Polyeurthane Undercoating:

The other option for undercoating your vehicle is to use a Polyurethane based sealent 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 Praffin-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 undercoating’s 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.

Some of underbody coating images are shown below:

Thickness of the painting is varied from one company to another company depends upon the design, requirements and feedbacks. Thickness of coating is measured by Elcometer which is shown in below.

ADVANTAGES:

• Minimizes Sound.
• Heat Insulation.
• Protects Vital Components.
• Protects Against Rust & Corrosion.
• Reduces NVH (Noise Vibrations Harshness) Levels.
• Prevents Paint Chipping.

DISADVANTAGES:

• It is less helpful if corrosion is already present.
• It works best on new cars.
• A third-party undercoating service might void your vehicle’s warranty.
• An undercoating is not impervious to damage.

CONCLUSION:

Thus, the underbody Coating is explained with its types also pros and cons are mentioned in this report.