Underbody Coating

AIM : Write a one-pager about Under-Body Coating and its purpose, its types in detail, and its pros and cons.

UNDERBODY COATING : Underbody coating is a thick cladding is placed uniformly to the car’s underside. When the automobile is fresh off the lot and spotless, it is usually sprayed or painted on. But it’s acceptable if you apply the undercoating after a couple of years. This is because it might protect the undercarriage from additional harm.

In Indian road conditions, a 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.

TYPES OF UNDERBODY COATING :

• RUBBERIZED UNDERCOATING : It 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, rubberzed 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.

• POLYURTHANE UNDERCOATING : The other option for undercoating your vehicle is to use a polyurthane based selant.This type of vehicle undercoating is a little bit quicker and easier to apply. Oftentimes, polyurethane undercoating will come in cansisters 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 PARAFFIN 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 undercoatings 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 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.

PROS :

• It minimizes the sound from underneath the car resulting a noiseless, smooth driving experience.

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

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

• Undercoating offers a layer of protection against corrosion and rust. Any debris will be repelled by the undercoating.

CONS :

• Undercoating might not be wise if you tend to change cars every few years, since it takes between 3 and 5 years before rust starts to show.

• Your vehicle’s warranty might be voided if you opt for a third-party undercoating treatment.

• It makes the vehicle 10 to 20 pounds heavier which affects fuel economy.