Underbody Coating

Challenge- Underbody Coating and it's purposes

What is Underbody Coating?

The underbody coating is usually a thick painting/spraying applies uniformly all along the underside of the car. A car's undeerbody is exposed to the most wear and tear caused by muddy water, potholed roads, stones and other obstacles on the road. Most of the underbody is made of iron and it's alloys, so when it comes in contact with water or air moisture, it gets corroded. Because it's not in plain sight, we often do not see the damage. (See below images)

The purpose of Underbody coating is to prevent rust, damage to the parts and longer life of the car, preventive coat is applied to the underbody of the car. It reduces noise, avoids scratches on parts, maintains temp inside car and increase efficiency and life of car. Initially, coat was applied when new car is just out of delership and clean or after couple of years too. Now many manufacturers provide thick underbody coating. Enough protection done by them so that Car Underboady, doors, boot, body panels, scratches do not get impacted by rusting, and provide long lasting output.

Types of undercoating are explained below.

TYPES

1. Rubberized Underbody Coating
   
   Rubberized Underbody Coating is generally thought of as best underbody coating. It preserves underbody well and applying this is easy too. It creates protective barrier that seals out grit, grime and moisture that could otherwise corrode the metal parts.
2. Wax Based Underbody Coating
   This is most affordable option out there for undercoating. It puts up a big fight against the moisture. In this coating, wax will wear away in few months, so need regular check and application.
3. Polyurethane Underbody Coating
   This coating closes up cracks and fractures on the underbody of the vehicle. This method creates good protection against corrosion and also bonds with metal. You can paint over this coating.
4. Asphalt Based Automotive Undercoating.
   Asphalt based coating provides a greate degree of protection than rubberized coating, thus it is best suited for lorries, trucks and large vehicles. Little amount of rubber needs to be added for sound insulation purpose. This little more time consuming method compared to others. Unlike polyurethane coating, you cannot paint over this coating.

Pros

• Rust prevention
  In near sea area and in place where it snows in winter, underbody coating plays important role to fight rusts, harsh abrasives like salt brine.
• Absorbs Noise
  Thick Rubber coating helps to reduce silencer noise, roadsize noise that reaches the cabin.
• Insulation
  Coating acts as insulation to the outside temperature. Person inside the cabin is less affected by the hotness of the engine, it helps to maintain temperature inside the cabin.
• Reinforcement
  If double underbody coat is applied it will offer additional reinforcement, protecting it from water, small pebbles, roadside debris and gravels. Less chance for original coat to flake away.
• Increases Car life
  Undercoating not only defends the underbody from corrosion but also protects the engine and tranmission. Less wear and tear rate will add life to the car.

Cons

• Extra added coating through dealer is bit expensive.
• If rubberized paint is not applid properly, there is possibility it coming into moving parts and causes premature failures in joints or shafts or suspension movement.
• Wax coating is not that long lasting. It needs to reapplied after few months.
• While Coating old car if some rust spots an residues stays during cleaning on underbody then there is no use of coating.