It’s common for customers to ask if they need to undercoat their vehicle. The truth is, not all cars and not all climates are equal.
Vehicle owners in cold, snowy places or humid climates tend to worry about rust and oxidation on the underside of their cars. Whether they should rustproof, undercoat, or leave things alone depends on several factors.
What is Undercoating?
Undercoating is when you spray a layer of wax or rubber-based car sealant on the vehicle’s underside. It forms a layer of protection against rust, water, salt, and ice. It protects floorboards, the frame, and wheel wells.
This differs from other rust-proofing methods. Normally, vehicles that are rust-proofed only receive a layer of sealant or oil on the most exposed parts of the undercarriage and the tailgate and fenders.
What Situations Call for Undercoating?
Undercoating is probably the very best option when it comes to protecting the metal elements of your car. Cars are a large investment and the longer you can keep them looking great and working well, the better. Rust can take a huge toll on a vehicle, and it’s not just aesthetic damage. It can cause leaks, parts failure, and overall instability. It’s a risk in every climate, although not every car needs undercoating with car sealant or even rust proofing. Yet, at the same time, every car can benefit from these treatments.
The car owners that should seriously consider undercoating are those living in areas where there is water, ice, salt, or sand getting up into the underside of their vehicle. Also, anyone in areas near the ocean, where the air is briny and humid, should worry about rust.
Pros of Undercoating
Apart from the obvious benefit of protecting your car from the elements, there are several pros to undercoating a car.
Sound Insulation
Because of their thick nature, most car sealant products also work as soundproofing and can reduce the noise of the road as you drive.
Extended Car Life
Another pro to undercoating is that you will extend the life of your car by avoiding leaks and compromised components.
Low Maintenance
Normally, undercoating lasts for several years. A professional should inspect it every year to ensure that rocks or bumps in the road haven’t damaged it, and even then it will likely only need a few touch-ups.
Cons of Undercoating
As with anything, there are cons to getting an undercoat done.
Price
Many people initially see the price of getting a car sealant applied as inhibitive. It does tend to cost more because of special equipment, the time it takes, and the toxic nature of the products used. Also, car owners will need to pay for touch-ups on occasion.
Toxicity
Undercoating products are mixes of chemicals that could damage the body. While this is mostly a danger for the person applying the undercoating and not the people in the vehicle, some people prefer to avoid toxic chemicals.
Finding the Best Undercoating Products
Whether you pay someone or decide to do it yourself, it’s vital to use a quality product for quality undercoating.
