Underbody Coating

WHAT IS UNDERBODY COATING ?     

Underbody caoting is a thick resilient coating applied to the underbody or chassis of an automobile to protect against impact damage from small stones, which would rapidly chip ordinary paint, allowing rusting to begin.

• Underbody coating provides long term protection from corrosion to car’s underbody. It also protects parts like internal body panels, frame rails and other inner cavities that are not physically accessible but are prone to corrosion.

• A car’s underbody is exposed to the most wear and tear caused by muddy water, potholed roads, stones and other obstacles on the road. Because it’s not in plain sight, we often do not see the damage.

• In Indian road conditions, a car’s underbody is most prone to corrosion. Underbody coating provides long term protection from corrosion to the car's underbody. It also protects parts like internal body panels, frame rails and other inner cavities that are not physically accessible but are prone to corrosion.

• Underbody protective coating is used to protect the vehicle chassis from external environment, to ensure the integrity and safety of the car. The use of underbody coating plays a very important role in the service life of the vehicle. In general, it is required to spray such a protective coating in the manufacturing of the new car.

TYPES OF UNDERBODY COATING?

Now let us look at the various kinds of automotive underbody coating you can go 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.

 WHY DO WE NEED UNDERBODY COATING ? AND ITS ADVANTAGES:

To understand the science behind how undercoating protects the vehicle from rusting, you should know about rusting first.

Rusting occurs when the current passes through anode (a piece of metal that gives up electrons like a dude making it rain at a strip club) to the cathode (metal piece that accepts electrons – like that aforementioned stripper on the pole) through the electrolyte (a liquid supporting the movement of electrons).

The electrolyte provides the fuel, which is oxygen in this case, to the anode. Oxygen reacts with the anode, releasing some electrons free. The electrons move from the electrolyte to cathode. The metal at anode starts disappearing and depositing as rust. This rusting of iron or steel results in corrosion. 

The undercoating is applied to stop a few contributing factors leading to rusting and corrosion.

• Coating Solution:

The coating solution stops electrolyte from penetrating inside the metallic surface. Road salt, saltwater, and typical wastewater play the role of the electrolyte most of the time. Such undercoating products last for years. You might also get a lifetime warranty with some of them.

• Electrical Method:

The electrical way blocks the anode from releasing electrons to circulate freely in the electrolyte. The anode will be exposed to saltwater or other electrolytes, however, being charged negatively at the same time. This way, electrons cannot move to the cathode, causing rusting or corrosion.

This is the ultimate solution that is going to save your vehicle from corrosion for a lifetime; however, you have to bear the price as it is expensive.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF UNDERCOATING ? 

Most of the vehicles manufactured these days are rust proofed, especially in rainy and cold regions. When your car is exposed to saltwater and other common electrolytes, investing in an undercoating from an authorized dealer is a smart investment. It does cost a few hundred dollars, but it’s worth it. It will keep your ride in good condition for five years.

• It extends the lifespan of your car

The protection against rusting gives you the biggest advantage, which is the long-life of the vehicle. If undercoating is done the right way, then it will provide protection for up to 10 years. In some cases, the time span is more than ten years, which extends the lifespan of your vehicle.

• No more loud road noise

The undercoating serves as an extra layer of insulation, reducing the noise from penetrating inside components. Thus padding acts as a barrier between you and the source of the noise. If the road noise bothers you while driving your car, truck, or SUV, then applying to undercoat can help you.                                                                                     

• Protects Against Rust & Corrosion

The primary objective of getting underbody coating done is preventing metal components that are exposed on the bottom side of the car to damage from corrosion. You can shut out the Adverse effects of corrosion on your car by simply applying a rubberised anti-rust coating all over the belly of your car.                                                                                       

• External influence

External environment, such as the baking from the hot road in summer, the road’s anti-frozen gent in winter, raining water and the salty water in the atmosphere, will attach the under body of a car. Particular in coast areas, the wind from the sea will bring more salt to the air, which will accelerate the corrosion and reduce the service life of a car. While the under body is covered by the thick and tight layers, it would act as a strong barrier to prevent these external substances attaching the metal sheet.

• Protects Vital Components

Underneath a car is somewhere a lot of indispensable parts of a car are left exposed like the Engine, silencer, etc. One simply can’t afford to let these parts go bad due to rusting and hence in order to save yourself from a hefty repair bill, a considerably less expensive Anti-Rust Coating is a must.

• Keep the value

A car could keep a high value while it is well maintained. It means that if a car is well treated on under body protection, it could keep the car in a good condition and extend the car’s service life, or you could charge a higher price in a used-car trading.

• Reduces NVH (Noise Vibrations Harshness) Levels

Our country is filled with roads having uneven patches and potholes and while we manoeuvre our cars through such sections, the unpaved crumbs, and pebbles hit the car from underneath or get stuck in the wheel wells. The underbody coating’s consistency is so thick that the layer it creates absorbs all the unpleasant noises and vibrations and marginally improves the driving experience.           

CONCLUSION :         

As a final conclusion we can say that Underbody coating is a must to provides long term protection from corrosion to car's underbody. It also protects parts like internal body panels, frame rails and other inner cavities that are not physically accessible but are prone to corrosion.