Underbody Coating

Underbody coating:

Underbody coating is a special coating applied on the underbody of the automobile. It is necessary in Indian road conditions, as cars underbody is most prone to corrosion. 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.

Pros:

• Protects Against Rust & Corrosion

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 rubberized anti-rust coating all over the belly of your car.

• Reduces NVH (Noise Vibrations Harshness) Levels

Our country is filled with roads having uneven patches and potholes and while we maneuver our cars through such sections, the unpaved crumbs, and pebbles hit the car from underneath or get stuck in the wheel wells. The underbody coating’s consistency is so thick that the layer it creates absorbs all the unpleasant noises and vibrations and marginally improves the driving experience.

• Prevents Paint Chipping

Running on the highway or while pacing through a city road, you will often encounter sharp gravel or any other unattended object hitting the belly of your car with high momentum. This scrapes and chips off the metal from down below. A thick layer of Underbody Coating definitely comes to aid and minimizes the effects of such contacts on the body.

• Protects Vital Components

Underneath a car is somewhere a lot of indispensable parts of a car are left exposed like the Engine, silencer, etc. One simply can’t afford to let these parts go bad due to rusting and hence in order to save yourself from a hefty repair bill, a considerably less expensive Anti-Rust Coating is a must.

· A must-have if you live in coastal areas

Vehicles in the coastal areas are much more prone to corrosion than in any other region. The content of salt in the water floating around during the monsoon season is way too high. Adding to this is the humidity in such areas and these elements further speed up the process of corrosion. Hence getting your car done right with a nice underbody coat job is of utmost importance for people living that beach life.

· Or if you live near un-paved/muddy roads

If you live in areas having large sections of unpaved roads, then monsoon is just going to make things worse. The sand is going to mix with the water and all that muck will get stuck to your car’s belly while you tread over such a course. This makes your car’s underbody more vulnerable to damage and a nice and thick coating will surely help.

· It also affects your car resale value

All that damage due to corrosion, if left unattended could lead to some permanent damage, which will cost you in terms of rapid depreciation in your car’s resale value. This will make it almost impossible for your car to pass a strict inspection when you put it up for sale. Hence, regular checks of your car’s underbody condition is the key to maintaining its value.

Cons:

• High cost:

Although underbody coating has various advantages but now also it is expensive.

• can damage during application:

If underbody coating is not applied properly then its removal can cause problem for other parts and disturb their working

• increases the weight of vehicle:

Not significantly but increases the weight of vehicle and hence engine performance also get altered.

Types of undercoating:

There are several types of undercoating available, ranging from do-it-yourself aerosols to professional applications. Some of them are

• Water- Based Undercoats
• Petroleum- Based Undercoats
• Asphalt-Based Undercoats

• Water- Based Undercoats

Water-based vehicle undercoating is most popular for the do-it-yourself procedure. You can get it in your automotive parts stores in aerosol formats. These undercoating are thin set and take short time to dry. This coating can be done in automotive shops that offer undercoating services at a reasonable rate. The disadvantage of water-based undercoating is that it should be repeated frequently.

• Petroleum-Based Undercoats

Petroleum-based undercoating is made from oil and they have greater deflective abilities for road salts and grime. The petroleum base helps repel ice and water better than water-based undercoating. Petroleum-based undercoating can be purchased in your professional vehicle servicing shops. This type of undercoating also needs to be replaced once in a year by the owner.

• Asphalt-Based Undercoats

Asphalt-based undercoating is the strongest undercoating available and it is used in military vehicles and on all-terrain. Asphalt-based undercoating will last long and is the best option for vehicles which endure heavy road use. Asphalt-based undercoating is the thickest coating which has the most damage-resistant properties. It can be bought from professional services shops and is the only type of undercoating with a limited warranty. You can also buy the asphalt-based undercoating while buying a new vehicle.

Conclusion:

Underbody coating, its types, advantages and disadvantages were studied.