UNDERBODY COATING

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 coating is a thick cladding (typically made of rubber) that is placed uniformly to the car’s underside. When the automobile is fresh off the lot and spotless, it is usually sprayed or painted on.

• It is a must to make sure the underbody is given a layer of protection from all grime and grit.
• The car body is made up of several metals such as Iron, Steel, Aluminium, Copper, etc. Rusting is the common term for corrosion of iron and its alloys. electrochemical and other reactions of the exposed material surface with the surrounding environment.
• Corrosion of metals and nonmetals takes place due to the gradual environmental interaction on the material surface. The structures and facilities of different materials are affected by this interaction. Even the ambient air, laden with moisture and oxygen, can start this process, known as rusting, on steel surfaces.
• Because it’s not in plain sight, the damage is not noticed. Underbody coating or treatment offers a long-term solution for issues related to corrosion and rust.
• The underbody of the car is exposed to most wear and tear caused by dirt grimes bad roads and muddy water. Since it is not visible in plain sight, we often do not see the damage. This treatment makes a corrosion-resistant protection film on the underbody surface that protects it from rust and abrasives and covers under chassis and wheel arches.

• Electrophoretic deposition (EPD)/ Electrocoating -

Electrophoretic is an immersion wet paint finishing process that uses electrical current to attract the paint product to a metal surface. The E-coat process is a dipping (immersion) system very similar to what is used in metal plating except the finish uses the organic paint particles not metal particles in the immersion baths.

• Types of Underbody Coating

• Wax Based Underbody Coating

A paraffin-based undercoating is a cheap and quickest option available to protect the undercarriage of the vehicle. However, it will wear off quicker than other types of undercoating and will need to be stripped and reapplied at once every year. Wax-based undercoating never truly hardens. 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 conditions.

• Rubberized Underbody Coating

Rubberized vehicle undercoating 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 wheels 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.

• Polyurethane Underbody Coating

The other option for undercoating your vehicle is to use a polyurethane-based sealant. 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 the unoxidized metal. It also dries quickly in case you will need to perform bodywork and can be painted over. On the flip side, this type of car undercoating generally requires a little bit more surface prep work before applying.

• Asphalt-Based undercoating

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. Generally sold in five-gallon containers, this type of undercoating also needs more cure time than the other three.

• Advantages -

• Undercoating gives an extra layer of protection against rust and corrosion, protecting your car.
• Undercoating will eventually wear out, but you can get years of protection from it. Even vehicles in warmer climates gain protection as debris is repelled and kept away from eating at the vehicle.
• It can be self-applied.
• The undercoating can soften the noises that reach the cabin.
• Good undercoating not only defends the underbody from corrosion but also protects the engine.
• It minimizes the sound from underneath the car.
• It insulates the interior of the car from extreme temperature from beneath the vehicle.
• The coating does not chip away when hit by stones.

• Disadvantages -

• Undercoating will not help you if corrosion already exists and the corrosion needs to be removed first before it can be applied.
• It must be reapplied every 2-3 years for the best results.
• It adds weight to the vehicle