As we know, cars of the past were prone to rust. In modern vehicles this is less common, but still likely. Plastic body panels can hide the metal chassis of a car and therefore its rust build up. This is where undersealing your car comes into play. Offering protection from rust foryears to come.
Car underseal – what is it?
A strong wax is used as an underseal material to shield againstrust. It is used on areas of the car that are normally hidden, such as the bottom and wheel arches. Thick paint had been used in the past, but nowadays more waxy, flexible products are on the market. Dinitrol is one example where it hardens on the coated surface. It can withstand fragments of stone chips, salt and water that often comes into contact with the underside of a car.Dinitrol is a substance that can flex under debris impact too, preventing damage to the car.
New cars will have this pre-applied, but this layer is exposed over time to many different conditions.Eating away at the existing layer, eventually causing rust.
Why undersealing?
All sorts of road debris can get stuck in the wheel arches and can cause rust. Salt, mud and water from roads erode away protective layers and break down the metal structure of the car.A car jack can even scratch and destroy the cars underside.
A small rust patch can spread to larger areas too. With short term repairs possible, later down the line it may be advised to replace the panel altogether. In some cases costing a significant proportion of whatthe car is worth.
Although an investment is required up front, it is considered a long termsolution for protecting your car and wallet – with repair bills only on the increase in todays market.Benefitting those near the coast, or if you have been informed of existing corrosion,then an undersealcoating is the solution before it gets any worse.
Types of underseal
Despite being a hard area to get to, the undersealing process is something you can do yourself. Without the correct knowledge and materials, it is an untidy and pongy job. Lots of protection is required including a mask, goggles and gloves – with the car heavily taped up to prevent overspray.
The material bitumen is normally found in road surfacing, but it can be used to protect your car. It is the cheap solution and can be used on cars showing their age. It is easy to put on by spraying, but difficult to remove. This is why it is vital to make sure other parts of the car are taped up.
Waxy seals cost more, but flex and are not damaged as much from stones. This and bitumen sealing can wear off after a few years though, with pressure washing eating away its effectiveness.
According to Mark from underseal specialists Preserve Protect “The best underseal treatmentactually converts the rust as well as protecting future corrosion.Undertaken by a professional, Dinitrol is a common substance used for undersealing and provides long-lasting protection.”
In Summary
The undersealing process is recommended for owners that want their car to live a long life. If the conditions in your area are harsh then your car is more prone to rusting, and some models have little protection when new– especially those that are imported. Why not add that layer of protection to put your mind at rest?
Sources:
https://preserveprotect.co.uk/
https://g-autolife.com/car-underseal-what-is-it-and-is-it-worth-doing/
