undercoating

[orcking]

Hey guys, I live in Michigan
is undercoating really necessary if I car wash the under-body frequently?
if it is, what type of undercoating do you suggest and do I have to do it every year?

 

[SlickTRD]

fluid film. yes it is necessary if roads are salted. yes it is worth it. yes you should get it done annually.

 

[fkheath]

Modern cars are better protected than even a few years ago,with lots of anti corrosion materials like galvanize. Also, unless you undercoat when brand new, NEVER driven and NEVER washed (all dealers wash cars before they are sold), it is impossible to get the bottom clean enough. Also, with a body on frame construction like the 4Runner, you could never get the undercoat where it would matter most, like on the top of the frame below the body (look at the Tacoma debacle a few years back). Even a simple car wash will leave moisture in the crevasses that will be covered by undercoat and rust faster than if you don't undercoat. Thus, my suggestion would be to not undercoat, but wash frequently.

 

[NW.OH.T4R]

Either nothing at all, or a chassis enamel would be my recommendation.

 

[Cajun_TRD]

I've used Fluid Film and LSP 3. I prefer how LPS 3 looks when dry. It doesn't seem to stay as oily/sticky so it doesn't attract dirt

LPS 3 Premier Rust Inhibitor, 11 oz Aerosol: Power Tool Lubricants: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Pressure wash your frame, let dry and coat. I do a recoat every 2 years but I'm in the south and rust isn't much of an issue. For up north I'd do it before and after winter. Its cheap Insurance.

 

[Mudhorn]

I had a local shop put it on. They used Valugard, it is holding up well. They also have a lifetime guarantee. But this is for my piece of mind being on the Gulf coast. I’m also not as disciplined at cleaning my car often. There are some older discussions that have good info from those of you dealing with road salt.

 

[the_fornicator]

There's a guy that opened up a shop where I live (Edmonton, AB, Canada) called Sublime Surfacing that does amazing work.

He does something called a honey coating. Check him out at @sublimesurfacing. He's on facebook and IG.

He disinfects and removes all rust and corrosion on your undercarriage (minus the top of the frame where it's hard to reach) via dry ice and vapor blasting. He does some really unreal stuff. Maybe there's something like that in your respective cities i.e. dry ice vapor blasting.

Sublime Surfacing - Canada | Vixen Wet Blasting