Underbody Coating

Underbody Coating

Underbody coating is a dense protective layer of coating applied to the underside of an automobile and it is also called as an anti-rust or anti-corrosion coating. In Indian road conditions, the car’s underbody is most prone to corrosion. Hence the coating provides a long term protection to the parts exposed at the underside of a car from corrosion. Underbody coating is highly important as it is difficult to maintain the underside of a vehicle as there are a lot of unreachable areas that are not accessible for cleaning. In such scenarios such coating restricts the need to clean frequently.

Types of Underbody Coating:

1. Rubberized Underbody Coating

This is considered one of the best underbody coatings for a car. Spraying rubber based coating is also easier compared to other types. This type protects the parts at the bottom of the car from scratches and also corrosion by acting as a repellent for water.

2. Wax Based Underbody Coating

This type is one of the most affordable types of coating. But on the con side it does not last long and wears off frequently. It acts a good repellent of water particles.

3. Asphalt Based Automotive Undercoating

This type is generally preferred for large vehicles such as trucks and buses as it provides a much better protection compared to rubberized coating. This type of coating is also a time consuming process. Painting can’t be done on this coating.

4. Polyurethane Underbody Coating

It is used to cover-up damage or 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, painting can be done over the polyurethane coating.

Advantages of Underbody Coating:

1. It provides protection against corrosion by avoiding contact of water that can be splashed from the wheels during travel with the metal parts underneath the car.
2. 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 outside noise. The occupants of the car could spare themselves of the road noises up to certain extend.
3. It will offer additional reinforcement, protecting the underbody from water, road debris, gravel and small pebbles.
4. 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 adds extra years to the lifespan of the vehicle.

Disadvantages of Underbody Coating:

1. It works best only on a new car as 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 if corrosion already exists and the corrosion needs to be removed first before it can be applied, which can be expensive.
2. The biggest drawback is the cost. Car dealership often charge quite a lot of money to undercoat a car, and for someone financing a new car purchase, this can add too much to the final purchase price.
3. Although not significantly, an underbody coating can add extra weight to the vehicle thus reducing the mileage offered by it.