Underbody Coating

Under Body Coating (UBC) ?

An underboading coating is a thick layer of cladding or thick resilient coating applied to the underside or chassis of an automobile to protect against impact damage from small stones, mud which would rapidly chip ordinary paint, allowing chassis to begin rust.

Mostly vehicles in some territories with extreme environmental conditions like high rainfall, cold waters, salty atmosphere (coastal areas) the application of underseal or undercoating is strongly reuired to ensure the long vehicle life.

No matter the climate, the underbelly of every vehicle needs proper care and protection. Undercoating helps protect the vehicle against rust and corrosion.

Seals on the underbody parts have gotten a lot tighter and more effective at keeping out dust and moisture, but there are are other factors to consider. On poor roads small chips of stones, mud, dust, sand thrown from the tires and denting the metal, and corrosion from wet conditions, salty atmosphere all play a huge part in the damage or decay of a vehicle's underbelly. In order to protect the vehicle underbody parts from these factors, underbody coatings are very necessary.

Purpose of UBC:

• Vehicles must have if those exists in places like Coastal areas

Vehicles in the coastal areas are much more prone to corrosion than any other region. The content of salt in the water floating around during the monsoon season is way too high. Adding to this is the humidity in such areas and these elements further speed up the process of corrosion. Hence, getting the car with a nice underbody coating is of utmost importance for people living in coastal areas.

• A must have if cars are near Un-paved/muddy roads

In areas like large sections of unpaved roads, then monsoon is just going to make things worse. The sand is going to mix with the water and all that mud wil get stuck under the vehicle or car's underbelly. This makes cars underbody more vulnerable to damage and a nice and thick layer of coating will help

• It also affects car resale value

Damage due to corrosion, if left unattended cloud lead to some permanent damage , which will cost in  terms of rapid depreciation in the cas's resale value. This will make it almost impossible for car to pass a strict inspection when it is put it up for sale. Hence, regular checks of car's underbody condition is the key to maintaining its value

TYPES OF UNDER-BOADY COATING

• Rubberized Undercoating:

Easy to apply and offers sound-cushioning as well as protection from dust, moisture and dents

Safe to use on wheel wells and quarter panels and dries to a soft rubbery finish that prevents further rust, damage or moisture seeps.

The painting can be painted over and if necessary for bodywork, can be easily removed with an undercoating removal spray.

The rubberized undercoating is generally the best option for protecting the vehicle's undercarriage, as it provides the simplest and best protective measures against rust and moisture

• Polyurethane Undercoating :

The other option for undercoating the vehicle is polyurethane-based sealant. This type of vehicle undercoating is a little bit quicker and easier to apply

It 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 unoxidized metal/ 

It also sands quickly in case we'll need to perform bodywork and can be painted over

This  type of car underbody coating generally requires a little bit more surface prep work before applying - sanding and applying an etching primer to bare metals before using are generally recommended.

• Wax or Paraffin based Undercoatings

A paraffin-based undercoating will be the cheapest and quickest option available with which to protect the undercarriage of the vehicle. However, it will wear off quicker than other types of undercoatings and will need to be stripped and reapplied at least once every year

Wax-based coatings are never truly harden. During application, they drip or flow into seams and cracks to provide protective properties. They are usually available in spray type canister or in an aerosal can and offer at least a base protection in moderately humid climates.

• Asphalt based 

For standard vehicles, any of the foremention types of undercoating will provide sufficient preotection. For large trucks and heavy machinery, asphalt-based undercoating provides a bit of extra durability  against rocks, chips, and moisture

This type generally contains a little bit of rubberized material that sets up firmly and also helps soften noise. Also needs more cure time than the other three, and is not paintable, making it best to use only for undercarriages.

Pros & Cons of Underbody coatings:

Pros: 

• Protects against Rust & Corrosion 
• Reduces NVH (Noise Vibraions Harshness) levels
• Prevents paint chipping
• Protects vital components
• Prolongs car's life
• Easy maintenance

Cons:

• Won't helpful if corrosion/rust already present
• Works best in new cars
• A 3rd party undercaoting service might void vehicle's warranty
• Adds weight to the vehicle
• Must be reapplied every 3 to 5 years for best results
• Risk of damage during application

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