Underbody Coating

UNDERBODY COATING

Modern-day cars are made of various materials combined but the main chassis of the car body is made of carbon steel or aluminum alloys to reduce weight while also giving the required strength to the body.

But even after many layers of an added frameworks on the main body, it is still exposed from the bottom when a car is manufactured, and hence even after a certain time period rust starts to happen due to various climatic changes and terrains faced by the vehicle during its lifetime, hence it starts to corrode/rust which in short de-strengths the body resulting in a reduced life span of the vehicle.

To overcome this situation usually, an underbody coating is done on the body at the time of assembling.

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 Coating :-

1.Rubberized 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.

2.Wax Based Underbody Coating :

Wax Underbody Coating Spray is a solvent containing, bitumen free anticorrosive agent based on wax, polymers and anticorrosive additives.

3.Asphalt Based Automotive 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. Asphalt-based undercoating is the thickest coating and has the most damage-resistant properties.

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 :-

• Protects agaist rust & corrosion : 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. The primary objective of getting underbody coating done is preventing metal components that are exposed on the bottom side of the car to damage from corrosion. You can shut out the Adverse effects of corrosion on your car by simply applying a rubberised anti-rust coating all over the belly of your car.

Fig: Shows that rust formed due to no underbody coating.

• Reduces NVH ( Noise,Vibration, Harshness) levels : 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 extend. It minimizes the sound from underneath the car resulting a noiseless, smooth driving experience.

• 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's car 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.

• Heat Insulation: It insulates the interior of the car from extreme temperatures from beneath the vehicle providing a comfortable cabin experience.

• Anti-chipping property: If any stone hits the coating it does not get chipped away hence protects the underbody from exposure to water.

CONS :-

• Add Weight : Although the layering of underbody coationg is in micrometers but underbody coating may add some minimal amount of weight to the vehicle's body.
• Fail to Protect Existed Rust : Undercoating will work best on new vehicles that have not been exposed to road conditions. 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.
• High Cost : Applyiing Underbody coating on a vehicle can be expensive.
• Damage Risk : There can be chances of risk of damage during application, that the coating should be applied carefully otherwise the coating can get into moving parts such as CV- joint in propeller shafts and ca n cause failure of the parts.
• Re-application is required after Time : The life span of the coating generaly about 3-5 years, to get the benefit need to reapply the coating after a time period.

CONCLUSION :

Hence,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.

At the end of this study, we can clearly see the importance of underbody coating and its various types which can be used depending on the terrain or surroundings the Vehicle is used.