Underbody Coating

Aim :

To explain about the Underbody coating of car body and its purpose, types, pros & cons.

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.

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.

1. It protects the underbody substrates from.

2. Environmental conditions & Impacts.

3. Reducing sound and vibration.

4. Insulates against cold and heat.

5. Protects against Corrosion.

Types :

• There are four main types in underbody coating. They are

  1. Rubberized Undercoating

  2. Polyurethane Undercoating

  3. Wax or Paraffin-Based Undercoatings

  4. Asphalt-Based Undercoating

Rubberized Undercoating :

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.

Polyurethane Undercoating :

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

Wax or paraffin based Undercoating :

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.

Asphalt Based 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.

Advantage of Undercoating :

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 undercoating if you reside in a place where it snows in winter.

Absorbs Noise :

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.

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 Car’s 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.

Disadvantages :

1. Apllying underbody coating will not have any effect to the already corroded part.

2. It must be reapplied every 3 to 5 years for the best results.

3. It is less helpful if corrosion is already present.

Conclusion :

Underbody coating is one of the hidden factors for prolonged life of the car. As it protects the car from dust, minor hit of small gravel, minor wear and tear and rust. It provides strength to the underbody. But the coating is not for lifetime, it removes or chipped out as time passes. In wet area, the coating damages faster as compared to dry area. So therefore, check-up is required over every 1 or 2 years.