Underbody Coating

AIM:

Study the underbody coating used in automobile industries.

Objectives:

• Study about underbody coating
• Study about types of underbody coating and its advantages and disadvantages.

Procedure:

• Underbody coating is usually a dense cladding (often based on rubber) applied uniformly to the undercarriage of the automobile. It is normally sprayed or painted on when the car is just out of the dealership and is clean. But even if you are getting the undercoating applied after a couple of years, it’s fine too. This is because it can prevent further damage to the undercarriage.
• The main purpose of undercoating is to check rust especially in the body components like frame rails along with other exposed metal parts. Underbody coating can also reduce wear and tear.

Types of undercoating:

• Now let us look at the various kinds of automotive underbody coating you can go for, for your vehicle.

Rubberized Underbody coating

• This is generally thought of as the best underbody coating for your car. It preserves the underbody well, protecting it from scratches. Applying this to the undercarriage is not much of a hassle either.

Wax Based Underbody Coating

• This more or less ephemeral undercoating will wear away in a few months’ time. On the upside, wax-based undercoating puts up a big fight against moisture. It is also the most affordable option out there.

Asphalt Based Automotive Undercoating

• Best suited for lorries, trucks and large vehicles this provides a greater degree of protection compared to rubber-based coatings. However, asphalt-based coatings contain little amounts of rubber for sound-insulation purposes. The process of applying this coating is a bit time-consuming though.

Polyurethane Underbody coating

• This coating closes up splits and fractures on the underbody of the vehicle. It offers up good protection against corrosion and also bonds with the metal. Unlike in the case of asphalt-based coating, you can paint over the polyurethane coating.

Advantages:

Now we will tell you why you should consider investing in a vehicle underbody coating.

Fights Rust - It plays an important role in keeping corrosion at bay. Underbody coating can come in handy especially if you live near the sea, where there is too much humidity, and rusting is just one of those everyday things. You should also seriously consider undercoating if you reside in a place where it snows in winter.

Absorbs noise - Believe it or not, very thick undercoating can soften the noises that reach the cabin. Since the undercoating is often made up of rubber it absorbs some of the rackets. The occupants of the car could spare themselves of the road noises – at least up to a certain extend.

Reinforcements - If your car comes with stock underbody coating, using another coating on top of it, is not going to hurt. It will offer additional reinforcement, protecting the underbody from water, road debris, gravel and small pebbles. There would also be a lesser chance for the factory coat to flake away.

Prolong car life - Good undercoating not only defends the underbody from corrosion but also protects the engine and transmission as well! Less rusting coupled with slower wear and tear can surely add years to the lifespan of your vehicle. There would be fewer dents, dings and scratches on the undercarriage for you to fret about.

Disadvantages:

Nothing comes for free in this world. The same goes for undercoating. The undercoating or rustproofing spray is heavy in pockets. However, itis nothing when you compare it with the cost of replacing a vehicle after corrosion.

Lanolin has earned the nickname wool grease for a reason. This waxy substance is derived from a naturally occurring secretion commonly found in fluffy animals like sheep. Produced within the glands that encapsulate their wool follicles, lanolin provides these cud chewing critters with a waterproof coat that helps keep them dry and warm in winter. This makes breeds like the ultra-fluffy Merino breed of sheep quite the hot commodity.

On the downside, because lanolin is basically the porous substance secreted by livestock, it smells. This repulsive aroma is even more notable when lanolin is exposed to warmer temperatures. So if you notice that no one is parking next to you in summer, it might be because they car't stand the strange stench of your vehicles undercoating.

Over the years, electronic rust inhibitors have seen a surprising amount of success in both marine and underground structural applications. But the effectiveness of these products depends heavily upon a multitude of factors, many of which are not always present in automobiles. Most metals do a damn good job of conducting electrical current, which explains why having a module attached to a car battery, with electrodes channeling electricity underneath seems like a brilliant idea.

Aqhe only way for an undercoating to provide ongoing protection for your vehicle is to have the service repeated frequently. Most owners can have a new layer applied each year without worrying about their underbelly being compromised.