Underbody Coating

UNDERBODY COATING

It is the process of protecting the bottom part of the vehicle from various conditions. A car under body is exposed to the atmosphere where the most wear and tear caused by water, potholed roads, stones and other obstacles on the road.so there are god chances for underbody damage which we often do not see because it’s not in plain sight.

Underbody coating uses spray which protects the under surface of the vehicle from corrosion. They provide long term protection from corrosion to cars 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. The cars underbelly must be protected for its future stability especially during monsoon when heavy precipitation causes the road to flood.

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.

WHY UNDERBODY COATING IS IMPORTANT-

• Protects from rust and corrosion
• Protects from stone chip
• Prevent paint chipping
• Protects from external environmental condition
• Reduces noise vibration harnesses
• Protects the inner components
• Keep the value of the car stable

TYPES OF UNDERBODY COATIING

• 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.

PAINTS USED ON COATING

• Resin based
• Wax based
• Bitumen based

ADVANTAGES OF USING UNDERBODY COATING

• It provides a layer of protection against rusting and corrosion
• It can be applied to damaged areas
• It will extend the vehicle performance
• It minimizes the unwanted noises giving smooth driving experience
• It helps in heat insulation
• They have anti chipping property
• More advantage when used for new cars
• Not a complicated task
• Multiple coating gives more protection

DISADVANTAGES OF USING UNDERBODY COATING

• They are costly
• Coating will not advantage an already corroded part
• works best on new cars
• Adds weight to the car
• It must be reapplied every 3 to 5 years for best results

APPLICATION PROCEDURE OF UNDERBODY COATING

Step1-lift up the vehicle, takeoff the wheel and plastic wheel covering.

Step2-cleaning underbody of the vehicle by high pressure water

Step3-using compressed air which accelerates drying

Step4-mask off adjacent areas and parts with paper

Step5-spray at room temperature till desired thickness obtained

Step6-use suitable solvent on spray

Step7-remove paper and giving finishing works

CONCLUSION

From this project it is evident how important the underbody coating is for a vehicles protection and stability. And also it helped us understand the types of underbody coating, pros and cons and the working procedure of it.