Underbody Coating
UNDERBODY COATING AND ITS PURPOSES
Underbody coating is nothing but an insulation provided to the undercarriage of the vehicle. A cars underbody is most prone to corrosion. Underbody coating provides long term protection from corrosion to car’s underbody. It also prevents from stone chipping.
LOOKING INTO TYPES OF UNDERBODY COATING:
RUBBERIZED UNDERBODY COATING
Rubberized undercoating is easy to apply, and generally offers the best protective coating for your car’s undercarriage. It cushions surfaces against moisture, rust, dings, and dents. Rubberized undercoating is safe to use on quarter panels and wheel wells and dries with a soft rubbery finish.
ASPHALT-BASED UNDERBODY COATING
Asphalt-based undercoating offers a higher level of protection suitable for large trucks, recreational vehicles, and heavy machinery. It’s formulated with some bits of rubberized material to aid in noise reduction. It offers extra protection against chips and moisture but is not paintable and, therefore, only suitable for undercarriages.
POLYURETHANE UNDERBODY COATING
Polyurethane coating is easy to apply and works by sealing up cracks and seams. The compound displaces salt and moisture and protects the unoxidized metal from rust. It’s often sold in canisters that are ready to preload into an application gun. It, however, requires some surface prep work before application, like degreasing, and applying an etching primer to the bare metal.
WAX OR PARAFFIN-BASED UNDERBODY COATING
Wax or paraffin-based undercoating sprays are the cheapest and quickest options available. However, their results don’t last long, and you may have to apply a fresh coat after only a few months. In addition, the wax isn’t very adhesive on a metal surface. Its main advantage is that it seeps quickly into cracks and seams, and offers moderate protective properties against moisture.
BENEFITS:
Prevents rust: The underbody is the main area of corrosion attacks. Underbody coating can prevent them.
Noise insulation: Since the undercoating is made up of rubber it absorbs some of the noise which enters to the cabin.
Anti-chipping: The chipping by stones will be prevented thereby entering of water and rusting of underbody will be prevented.
FIG: Underbody without an undercoat
FIG: Underbody coating