Underbody Coating
Underbody Coating:
Underbody coating is a protective layer that has been applied underneeth the car to increase the life of vehicle. There are different types of underbody coating depending on the usage requierments of the vehicle owner. The main purpose of this coating is to prevent rusting and to protect the car body from gravels and small stones that hit the chasiss while running. It also helps in bringing down the noice inside the cabin.
Types of Underbody Coating
The underbody coating applied on a vehicle is mainly chosen by the environment in which the vehicle is run. Some of the most common types of coating are as listed bellow:
- Rubberised coating
- Wax coating
- Asphalt based coating
- Polyurethane coating
- Bitumen based compound
The rubberised coating is widely used in coomersial vehicles in India. It is most used in countries with lot of rainfall and the vehicle gets in contact with lot of slush. It is easy to apply and also reduces the noise level from underneeth the vehicle.
Wax coating is mostly done is countries with snowfalls were the vehicle runs mostly in cold conditions. This type of coating is not preferable for Indian road conditions. This is highly effective against rusting. Vehicles treated with wax underbody coating should not be subjected to hot pressurised water during cleaning. This is by far the cheapest type of coating and it should be done once in 4 years.
Asphalt based coating is mostly done on Trucks and heavy vehicles that have to deal with lot of gravels and pebbles hitting it from the road. It is more costly than wax based or rubberised coating and the level of protection is also more.
Polyurethane is a new coating that can be applied on any commercial vehicle irrespective of the climatic conditions. A layer of paint can also be done over this coating for adddtional protection.
Bitumen based compounds were the once initially used. The problem with this is that the compund gets brittle ovr time and could act as a waterpocket which causes an increased rate of corrosion at that spot which contriverts its very purpose. This type of compound has to be scrapped off and then has to be re-applied every 7 years. 
The above pictures shows what could happen to a car subjected to salt water and lacking any underbody coating. A good underbody could cost you around INR4000 to INR6000. The 3M rubberized underbody coating is the one mostly used in the country. The prices goes up depending on the thickness of coat requiered. This is one of the essential upgrade every car requiers for longer life.