Underbody Coating
INTRODUCTION
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 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.
Under body protective coating is used to protect the vehicle chassis from external environment, to ensure the integrity and safety of
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. Due to the highly competitiveness of new car sales, car producers have
pressure to reduce the manufacturing cost, so that they reduce or even completely eliminate the use of under body coating where it
is not to be easily seem by car owners. As a consequence, our car service life will be greatly reduced.
Many car owners know to regularly maintenance the vehicle by changing the engine oil and having the paint polished, but little
attention has been paid to the bottom of the car. There are many cars whose surface looks glossy, while the under body’s already
rusting.
PURPOSE OF UNDERBODY COATING
Prevent from stone chip
There are thousands of pieces of stones on the road, and they are constantly hitting your car on the under body, wheel arches, sills
and the trunk lower part while driving on the road. In some cases, the under body might be scratched by uneven road. As such the
thin corrosion protection coating on the metal sheet will be destroyed and leave the bare metal exposed to the air, which will soon
come to corrosion when contact with the moisture in the air. If not promptly getting anti-rust treatment, then the rust will soon spread
to large areas. Under body coating or the anti-stone chip coating is a thick elastic layer which could not be easily damaged by stone
chipping or scratch, therefore could basically protect the metal sheet of the under body.
Prevents Paint Chipping
Running on the highway or while pacing through a city road, you will often encounter sharp gravel or any other unattended object
hitting the belly of your car with high momentum. This scrapes and chips off the metal from down below. A thick layer of Underbody
Coating definitely comes to aid and minimises the effects of such contacts on the body.
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 n 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.
TYPES OF UNDERBODY COATING
When having your vehicle rustproofed or an undercoating applied, you have a few options to choose from. Whether you prefer the
latest technology or a more tried and true method, knowing what the different options are should allow you to choose the best one
for your vehicle.
1. Electronic method
Using a weak electric current, this small device can stop the corroding effects of rust.
You can have these electronic devices installed at the dealership, or save some money and buy them from a source outside of the
dealership.
The reviews on these devices are mixed, as this is a virtually new technology.
2. Undercoating
This method involves spraying a tar-based substance on the exposed parts of a vehicle's underbody.
The tar-like undercoating acts as a barrier once it hardens, keeping out moisture, salt, and other substances.
This undercoating works best when applied to the undercarriage of a new vehicle. It also requires expert application, or it can crack,
letting in moisture.
3. Dripless oil spray
A wax-like substance applied to the entire body of the vehicle, it hardens once it has dried.
One of the downsides of dripless oil sprays is that you need to have holes drilled into the body of the car at specific points to make it
fit
The spray also has a high viscosity, meaning that it does not always get into all of the nooks and crannies of your vehicle.
4. Drip oil spray
This is the most commonly recommended rust protection.
Drip oil sprays tend to continue to drip once applied until they dry. This dripping can last anywhere up to 48 hours after application.
Unlike the dripless varieties, the more watery nature of drip oil sprays means it gets into more areas on your vehicle, though you still
need to have holes drilled in your vehicle's fenders, doors, and other areas to make sure that it gets to all the areas it needs to.
TYPES OF UNDERBODY PAINT
A car underbody coating can be factory-applied or aftermarket. Most commonly these coatings are one of the three types:
1. Resin-based
Polyurethanes and rubber coating are popular because their elastomeric properties provide long-term stone chip damage and
corrosion protection as well as sound deadening effects. These also have the benefit of being suitable for a wide range of substrates
and they can be painted over. Can be spray-applied, high build, and particularly good for areas of possible salt exposure.
2. Wax-based
An excellent anti rust coating suitable for all substrates. The wax is applied soft and cures hard, either by brush or spray, and can be
layered thickly. It cannot be top coated.
3. Bitumen-based
These underbody paint systems provide hard-wearing protection against stone chip damage and corrosion. They also have sounddeadening properties. Suitable across many substrates, but cannot be painted over.
ADVANTAGES:
It provides a layer of protection against corrosion.
When an undercoating is properly applied to a vehicle, then you’ll be providing the underbelly with a layer of protection against rust
and corrosion. Instead of contacting the metal components of the vehicle, the debris encounters the undercoating, which then
proactively repels the dangerous items away. Although an undercoating will eventually wear out, it can provide years of protection
against premature corrosion.
It will extend the life of your vehicle.
A proper undercoating extends the life of your vehicle because of its rust-stopping power. Corrosion does more than affect the
integrity of the metals in your vehicle. It can get into your metal wires and cables, affecting any component which is comprised of
steel or aluminium. Even your transmission and engine have exposure to rust when there isn’t a vehicle undercoating applied.
It can be applied to damaged areas.
Over time, the underbelly of your vehicle is going to develop nicks, chips, and scratches because of the debris you encounter while
driving. Unlike older forms of undercoating, which included the use of asphalt and animal fat, modern products provide a real layer of
protection because it can morph into the various areas of small damage.
A modern undercoating is usually wax-based, which creates a living barrier that your vehicle can use to promote a self-healing
experience.
It can be self-applied.
Rustproofing works best when you have this service professionally applied to your vehicle. If money is tight, however, and you have
some basic car maintenance skills, then you can do the work yourself.
If this service is applied at the dealership, it may cost up to $1,500, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. Some dealers
include it in a package of services that are priced even higher. When you do the job yourself, then the cost can be less than $100 for
cars and under $150 for trucks and SUVs.
Just keep in mind that you’re going to be creating a bit of a mess while applying a DIY undercoat.
There are multiple undercoating methods which can be used.
There are four different undercoating methods that are commonly used on vehicles which require this service. The electronic method
is used when rust is present to stop its corrosive effect, which is a method that receives mixed reviews. A standard undercoating method applies a tar-like substance to the exposed components of the vehicle underbelly. A dripless oil spray applies a waxy
substance that fills in the entire body of the vehicle, which hardens when it dries.
Then there is the drip-oil method, which may cause dripping for up to 48 hours when applied. From a cost perspective, it is this final
option that is most often applied at the dealership.
The service might help with the cost of your insurance.
Vehicular insurance is based on risk. If you reduce the risks of a claim by giving your vehicle a proactive service, of which an
undercoating applies, then it may lower your overall premiums. States which see high levels of corrosiveness, such as Hawaii, typically
see the steepest discounts with this advantage. Northern and coastal states in the U.S. might also see this benefit.
Although the premium decrease won’t offset the cost of the service, a discount of 3% to 7% may be available for some owners.
It may help to reduce interior noise.
When you’re driving, the sounds of the road can be soothing if they aren’t too loud. For lightweight vehicles, the noise pollution can be
overwhelming to the driver in some situations. Applying a layer of undercoating creates a barrier against the sound, which creates an
interior that is quieter. After the service is performed, many drivers notice that audio levels are noticeably lower inside their vehicle.
DISADVANTAGES:
It won’t do anything about the corrosion which is already present.
For an undercoating to be effective, it must be in place before the underbelly of your car begins to rust. If you apply it over corrosion,
you won’t be making an improvement. It will look better… until the rust breaks its way through the layer of undercoating you’ve
applied. If you have rust present, then it must be removed, with the metal repaired, before the undercoating is applied for best results.
It works best on new cars.
If you’ve purchased a used vehicle, then the cost of preparing the underbelly for an undercoating might be more than the value of the
car. You must remove all the residue from the bottom before it can be applied. Failing to do so will seal in the debris that is present
already, which can lead to more problems. The best time to have an undercoating applied is when a vehicle is purchased new
because it offers a superior level of protection then.
Most vehicles make it five years before corrosion begins to show.
For vehicle owners who purchase something new every 3 to 5 years, then rustproofing may not be a good use of your cash. Although
an undercoating does add value to a used car, that only applies when the rustproofing product used provides a transferrable lifetime
warranty. Most vehicles that are on the road today are able to make it five years before any corrosion begins to show. It may be 7 to
10 years before the functionality of the vehicle is negatively impacted by the lack of an undercoating.
If you wash your vehicle regularly, especially during the winter months, then you might be able to save the time and money required
for this service.
A third-party undercoating service might void your vehicle’s warranty.
Some new cars no longer need the undercoating service provided because the structure of the vehicle has it built-in already. If you
hire a third-party provider to apply an undercoating, you could void the corrosion-perforation warranty that is factory-provided. Most
vehicles today that leave the factory floor are all provided with included rust-proofing.
If you are purchasing a used vehicle, an undercoating to a clean underbelly could extend the life of the vehicle and give it more value.
For new vehicle purchases, you should ask the dealer what rustproofing options are included before paying for a separate
undercoating option. Ask for documentation of what is provided instead of taking the word of the salesperson or the service
personnel.
Many dealers have language in their terms and conditions that only written agreements are binding.
It adds weight to the vehicle.
Although the amount of weight added to a vehicle with an undercoating is minimal (between 10 to 20 pounds for most vehicles),
there is an element of fuel economy to consider. When your vehicle weighs more, the distance you can travel on a single tank of fuel
is reduced. The undercoating might reduce your efficiency by up to one mile per gallon, which creates an additional fuel cost over
time that is worth considering.
An undercoating is not impervious to damage.
An undercoating can provide a hardened layer of protection against dirt and debris that may cause corrosion. Depending on where
you drive, however, the lifespan of this product may be minimal. If you drive your vehicle on gravel roads or dirty areas frequently, you
reduce the integrity of the protective layer.
You might find that your undercoating begins to chip off in as little as 25,000 miles because of this issue. Driving in a salty
environment is not the only threat to the integrity of this product.
It must be reapplied every 3 to 5 years for best results.
The 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 in about 5 years without worrying about their underbelly being compromised. In salty or
destructive environments, however, you may need to have a new undercoating applied every 3 years for best results.
The pros and cons of a vehicle undercoating offer a complex opportunity to protect some new and used cars, but not all new vehicles
require it. You must perform your own due diligence on a vehicle you’re wanting to purchase to decide if this service is right for you.
And, if cost is an issue, it is possible to apply your own undercoating, though such an action might void an active warranty.
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.
Out of all the things you need to do to prep your ride for the monsoon, Protecting the underbelly of the car should be your top priority.
Especially during monsoon when heavy precipitation causes the roads to become mini-rivers and our cars are left stranded there.
This makes them prone to heavy corrosion in the underbody region.
Hence, we bring to you some of the factors that make Underbody Anti-Rust Coating essential before stepping into the monsoon
season.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE OF UNDERBODY COATING
1. Lift up the vehicle, take off the wheel and plastic wheel covering.
2. Thoroughly clean the under body of the vehicle by high pressure water.
3. Blasting with compressed air could accelerate the drying.
4. Mask off the adjacent areas and parts with paper where not allowed to spray, such as exhausting pipe, brake system, engine,
paint surface and etc.
5. Shake the can approx. 40 times before use, connect the can with spray gun.
6. Spray at room temperature and from a distance of approx. 25 cm in an X motion to build up a continuous coat. Do not spray on
parts of the brake, engine or exhaust system.
7. Apply this product until the desired layer thickness is reached. If a thick layer is required, let layers dry in between.
8. After each use, clean the spray by flushing with suitable solvent.
9. After tough free, remove all the mask paper, re-install all the parts.
10. In case the under-body coating is sprayed to unwanted areas, clean it before drying.
NEED OF UNDERBODY COATING ON A CAR
1. A must-have if you live in coastal areas
Vehicles in the coastal areas are much more prone to corrosion than in any other region. The content of salt in the water floating
around during the monsoon season is way too high. Adding to this is the humidity in such areas and these elements further speed up
the process of corrosion. Hence getting your car done right with a nice underbody coat job is of utmost importance for people living
that beach life.
2. Or if you live near un-paved/muddy roads
If you live in areas having large sections of unpaved roads, then monsoon is just going to make things worse. The sand is going to mix
with the water and all that muck will get stuck to your car’s belly while you tread over such a course. This makes your car’s underbody more vulnerable to damage and a nice and thick coating will surely help.
3. It also affects your car resale value
All that damage due to corrosion, if left unattended could lead to some permanent damage, which will cost you in terms of rapid
depreciation in your car’s resale value. This will make it almost impossible for your car to pass a strict inspection when you put it up
for sale. Hence, regular checks of your car’s underbody condition is the key to maintaining its value.