Today we’re going to discuss undercoating products. And for those who deal with arctic climates or live in areas that frequently use road salt or mag chloride, it can be a lifesaver to protect the undercarriage of your daily driver.
The question we need to address though is whether these products are still needed. It’s no mystery that cars made in the past were made from hard steel and durable metals, that were prone to oxidation and eventually – the development of rust. But road warriors of today are constructed from aluminum, polycarbonate materials, and other exotic materials that are less susceptible to contaminants.
What is an Undercoating
If you live in Karachi, or other cities, it’s quite possible you’ve been introduced to the term undercoating. These ‘aftermarket’ dealership add-on options are typically applied at the factory or the dealership and are intended to provide a protective layer for the undercarriage. The undercoating is sprayed on the chassis and is marketed and advertised to customers as a rust protectant that also helps reduce road noise. It’s always best to apply an undercoating when you first purchase a new car, as it coats to the surface and not road grime or other ‘stuff’.
Undercoating Spray
The most common method of dealer-applied undercoating is via spray. The coating itself is a tar-like substance that ‘sticks’ to the undercarriage components and acts as a barrier to resist salt, moisture, oxygen, and other items that lead to corrosion. Undercoating spray can be purchased as a DIY product, but it’s tricky to apply – so it’s best to use this method at the dealership on a new vehicle.
Drip Oil Spray
When DIY’ers consider applying an undercoating, this is the method of choice. Drip oil spray is an incredibly messy, but very effective method of protecting the undercarriage. When it’s sprayed, it fills all the nooks and crannies of the chassis, providing an exceptional layer of protection. The problem is it takes a long time to cure. In fact, it’ll continue to drip for a minimum of 48 hours in most cases, and not fully cure for up to a week.
Undercoating Solution
The coating solutions will block the electrolyte from penetrating the metallic surfaces. In most cases, this is either road salt, salt water, or standard wastewater on the roads. Most undercoating products last for multiple years, with some offering a ‘lifetime’ warranty against corrosion.
