Underbody Coating

What is Underbody Coating?

The underbody coating is usually a thick painting/spraying applies uniformly all along the underside of the car.

A car's undeerbody is exposed to the most wear and tear caused by muddy water, potholed roads, stones and other obstacles on the road.

Most of the underbody is made of iron and it's alloys, so when it comes in contact with water or air moisture, it gets corroded. Because it's not in plain sight, we often do not see the damage. (See below images)

Main purpose of underbody coating:

1.Prevents stone chip damage-

An underbody coating provides a durable elastic over the underbody and wheel arches which protects the substrate from stones,gravels and other dirt grimes which is thrown up by the road.

2.Minimise the sound and vibrations-

The noise of debris hitting a vehicle, or vibrations from the road can be dampened by the application of an underbody coating.They prevent vibrations and because they are elastic they make far less noise when struck than the metal underneath.

3.Heat insulation-

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

4.Protects from corrosion-

Underbody coatings having a highly-functional wax and high adhesive,it is resistant to cracking and peeling and it blocks the factors of rust,moisture,salt and oxygen to protect the vehicles from corrosion for a long period.

Types of undercoating are explained below.

TYPES

1. Rubberized Underbody Coating

Rubberized Underbody Coating is generally thought of as best underbody coating. It preserves underbody well and applying this is easy too. It creates protective barrier that seals out grit, grime and moisture that could otherwise corrode the metal parts.

     2.Wax Based Underbody Coating
     This is most affordable option out there for undercoating. It puts up a big fight against the moisture. In this coating, wax will wear away in few months, so need regular          check and application.

     3.Asphalt Based Automotive Undercoating.

Asphalt based coating provides a greate degree of protection than rubberized coating, thus it is best suited for lorries, trucks and large vehicles. Little amount of rubber needs to be added for sound insulation purpose. This little more time consuming method compared to others. Unlike polyurethane coating, you cannot paint over this coating.

       4.Resin-Based underbody coating:

Resign based underbody coatings are very popular because of their elastomeric properties which provide long term stone chip damage, corrosion protection and sound deadening effects.The most commonly used resin is polyurethanes and they are particularly good for salted roads.

Pros

• Rust prevention
  In near sea area and in place where it snows in winter, underbody coating plays important role to fight rusts, harsh abrasives like salt brine.
• Absorbs Noise
  Thick Rubber coating helps to reduce silencer noise, roadsize noise that reaches the cabin.
• Insulation
  Coating acts as insulation to the outside temperature. Person inside the cabin is less affected by the hotness of the engine, it helps to maintain temperature inside the cabin.
• Reinforcement
  If double underbody coat is applied it will offer additional reinforcement, protecting it from water, small pebbles, roadside debris and gravels. Less chance for original coat to flake away.
• Increases Car life
  Undercoating not only defends the underbody from corrosion but also protects the engine and tranmission. Less wear and tear rate will add life to the car.

Cons

• Extra added coating through dealer is bit expensive.
• If rubberized paint is not applid properly, there is possibility it coming into moving parts and causes premature failures in joints or shafts or suspension movement.
• Wax coating is not that long lasting. It needs to reapplied after few months.
• While Coating old car if some rust spots an residues stays during cleaning on underbody then there is no use of coating.