Is Undercoating Worth It?
We don’t perform undercoating services, but many Northern Michigan drivers are interested in this form of undercarriage protection. Before you invest in protective undercoating for your car or truck, take a few seconds to get a non-biased take on what it is, how it works, and whether it’s a good use of time and money.
What Is Undercoating?
Automotive undercoating is a spray-on application of rubber, oil or waxed-based composite that creates a thin, tough barrier between your vehicle’s undercarriage and the elements. Undercoating applications protect against dings and dents from road debris. Most important for Traverse City drivers, however, is the corrosion protection undercoating provides. This application reduces the impact of ice, salt, snow and deicing chemicals used all winter long.
Undercoating is applied to nearly every underbody component of your vehicle, including the wheel wheels, floorboards, chassis and functioning elements like exhaust and fuel infrastructure.
Drivers in the US spend roughly $3 billion a year fixing rust-related damage to their vehicles. A study by AAA found that 22 million drivers made at least 1 rust-related repair over the past five years, with the average repair cost of more than $500.
Undercoating is applied to nearly every underbody component of your vehicle, including the wheel wheels, floorboards, chassis and functioning elements like exhaust and fuel infrastructure.
Rustproofing vs. Undercoating
Undercoating can prevent rust, but not completely. Rustproofing can be added to undercoating materials or applied as a specialized treatment to hard-to-reach underbody components that are at high risk of rusting. Most rustproofing applications are wax-based and can also be applied to visible parts of the vehicle, including fenders, body panels and doors.
More Ways to Prevent Rust on Cars
You can prevent rust and corrosion without undercoating or rustproofing, too.
Wash your car (often) – The simplest way to prevent rust is to wash your car often. We recommend weekly car washes during the winter to remove salt and other corrosion elements that accumulate on your vehicle.
Park Inside – Clear out the garage and park your vehicle inside to keep it out of the elements. This can reduce exposure to moisture, temperature swings, dust and other compounds that can accelerate rust, corrosion or discoloration of your car’s exterior.
Undercoating Frequently Asked Questions
Is undercoating worth it?
Automotive undercoating is a good investment for most drivers on the go. If you drive in the winter every day, you’re much more likely to experience rust over time. Older cars will benefit more from undercoating. Modern vehicles have more advanced rust and corrosion-resistant components and paint.
Will undercoating stop rust?
Only rustproofing your vehicle will stop rust. Undercoating is a preventative barrier that limits the exposure of metal components to the elements. Ask potential applicators if they do anything to remove or treat existing rust before undercoating is applied.
Does my new car need undercoating?
Most manufacturers do not recommend undercoating or rustproofing on cars made in the past five years. In some cases, the chemicals in undercoating applications may reduce the effectiveness of factory rust prevention. If you’re unsure, speak with your local dealership about whether your car would benefit from undercoating.
For Everything Under The Hood, Call Garfield
We don’t perform undercoating services, but we can tackle everything under the hood. For full automotive repair services and friendly, honest advice you can trust, schedule an appointment with Garfield Automotive Service Center today.