Rustproofing/Undercoating
Would you rather have this?
Or would you rather have this?
Rustproofing is applying a a rust inhibitor coating or film to the inner cavities of a vehicle in all directions to prevent corrosion.
For example, inside doors, inside rocker panels, inside cab corners, inner wheel wells, under the hood, as well as your frames nooks and crannies.
All vehicles rust from the inside out, not the outside in because of the automotive paint protecting the exterior, however generally there is no protection other than the factory e-coat. Some areas there is no protection at all.
Even if you choose not to undercoat your vehicle, it is very critical to consider just a rustproof package.
We use specialized equipment and wands that allow us to get into many places that the competition cannot.
What is Rustproofing?
Undercoating is the sprayed application of a wax, rubber, or oil-based product onto the entire underside of the vehicle. This forms a barrier designed to create a rustproof layer on the underside of the vehicle and the water, ice, and salt on the road.
Years ago, vehicles were undercoated with rubberized undercoating, however it was discovered that this process was promoting rust by trapping all the water inside. This coating would block factory drain holes and seams so water could not escape. The metal would also “sweat” underneath the coating causing the undercoating to flake, chip, and peel. Every year applicators would apply more of the coating when the vehicle came in for a touch up. After several years, the layers accumulated, and the rusting process would progress faster! When rubberized coating is sprayed over existing rust to “hide” the rust, it makes it much worse. Unfortunately, once this is applied, it can be an extremely expensive, tedious, and labor-intensive job to remove and start over. Some businesses still apply this type of coating, and although it looks nice at first, it causes significant issues down the road.
Newer technologies and advancements have brought more wax and oil based undercoatings on the market. These are far superior to rubberized undercoating products and we spray various products for different applications depending on many variables. We will make a recommendation based on a brand-new vehicle vs a used one, how much surface rust it currently has or if a customer wants a preferred product, we will certainly accommodate your needs and or preferences. We are not like other shops and have sprayed and tested all the different products over the years, so we have a vast knowledge and 20 years experience to back it up and we keep up on all the new stuff coming out as well to better serve you! We have done many many thousands of vehicles and are one of the most experienced shops in the entire nation doing this stuff! Our top tier premium package is unrivaled and there is no other shop in Wisconsin doing a level of the job we do.
Before you choose a business to do the job for you, make sure to research and ask questions. Some often just go with the best price, but remember, you get what you pay for. There needs to be an exact comparison when looking into businesses and/or products.
Do they wash the bottom of the vehicle thoroughly?
Do they remove wheels, wheel well liners, skid plates, heat shields, or even bother to drop the spare tire?
Do they spend the time taping off areas that shouldn’t be coated?
How much experience does this business have?
Do they have a vehicle lift?
Do they have proper insurance to protect your vehicle in the event of an accident?
Many places like to pawn this job off the to the “new guy” due to it being a dirty job.
Some businesses spend more time than others but do more of an extensive job.
These are all things to be aware of before you decide to just choose the best price.
Our goal is to accommodate everyone’s budget, small or large. We have different tiers and packages from minimal to extensive treatments. Remember, doing something is better than doing nothing at all!
Brand new or newer vehicles have more options than a used vehicle as they are rust free typically. When a vehicle is used with surface rust already then we are limited to doing more annual or bi-annual applications because we have to be more pro-active about the situation when rust is present. With used vehicles we will scale off loose, flaky rust, then wash the bottom with a salts gone solution and hot power washer. We can then apply a coating you prefer or make a recommendation from there. We are a recommended applicator for all major brands including Waxoyl, Fluid Film, Woolwax, NH Oil coatings, Salts Gone, Surface Shield and others. You can also choose annual or 2yr coatings when vehicle is new as well. Best bet is to stop in or give us a call and we can access your situation and find out how we can best suit your needs!
