Underbody Coating

UNDERBODY COATING

Underbody coating mainly deals with the under carriage of a car. The under carriage of the car is very close the ground while running. In running condition the pebbles, dust, grits etc. present in the runway cause abrasion type of wear in the underbody carriage. During rainy season the drainage water on roads can cause serious rusting environment on the underbody. To avoid all these kind of unnecessary events the underbody coating is done. The thickness of the coating depends upon the type of coating. It also prevents the under car body parts like engine, silencer, drive shaft, etc. The paint is also protected by the coating from fading off. Undercoating and rust protection often go hand-in-hand, but they are actually two different things. Rust protection generally goes inside your vehicle, while undercoating is used for protection outside of the vehicle, and there are a variety of coatings available. Depending on the level of damage and how much protection you want for your vehicle will determine which type of automotive undercoating you choose. Applying to undercoat, as soon as get your new car, is the best way to keep the chassis intact.

UNDERBODY COATING TYPES

1. Rubberized underbody coating
2. Wax or paraffin based under body coating
3. Asphalt based underbody coating
4. Polyurethane based underbody coating

RUBBERIZED UNDERBODY COATING

It is easy to apply and offers sound-cushioning as well as protection from dust, moisture, and dings or dents. In addition to 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. It provides the simplest and best protective measures against rust and moisture.

WAX or PRAFFINS BASED UNDERBODY COATING

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 undercoating 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. Paraffin are derived from the petrol, coal, etc.

ASPHALT BASED UNDERBODY COATING

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. 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.

POLYURETHANE BASED UNDERBODY COATING

This type of vehicle undercoating is a little bit quicker and easier to apply. Oftentimes, polyurethane undercoating will come in canisters 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.

Before and after of underbody coating

Damaged rubber underbody coating

Pro’s of underbody coating

1. Minimizes noise – The rubber coating greatly absorbs the sound waves which suppresses the noise and gives a good cabin experience.
2. Heat insulation – it insulates the interior of the car from extreme temperatures from beneath the vehicle providing a comfortable cabin experience.
3. Anti-chipping property – If any stone hits the coating it does not get chipped away hence protects the underbody from exposure to water.
4. Extends the lifespan of the car.

Cons of underbody coating

1. The underbody coating does not help to protect the under carriage of the already used cars, since it has coatings of dust and even corrosive areas. Hence this underbody coating method is useful only for the newly produced cars.
2. Need to reapply for every 3 to 4 years.
3. There is no assurance for a fixed time performance for the coating. Its lifetime depends upon the kind of road trips it undergoes.