Is Undercoating Your Equipment "Worth It"?
By on Oct 30th 2024
Undercoating your equipment or vehicle is a topic that has been debated for years, with many people wondering whether it's worth the time and money. Aerosol-based undercoating is perhaps the most divisive product on the market, alongside fuel additives, with advocates and opponents on both sides.
However, not all aerosol-based undercoating is created equal. There are numerous brands and varieties of undercoating and, depending on the degree of rust present on your equipment/vehicle, the results can vary significantly, especially after months of unpredictable weather.
Rubberized
Many popular brands, such as Rustoleum, 3M, and Eastwood, produce rubberized undercoating. While laying it on
thick seems like the best practice, users have experienced serious issues with this type of undercoating.
Rubberized formulas have a dried film that is often hard, arid, and brittle, making it exceptionally smooth and
durable but allowing air and moisture to seep underneath the coating, leading to rust formation and corrosion.
Part of this is due to the makeup of these coatings, with them oftentimes mixed heavily with asphalt,
diminishing the outstanding protective properties of rubber.
Undercoating in a Can offers
100% pure rubber undercoating
with
no
fillers or corner-cutting measures. We have tested dozens of formulations to present the best rubberized
undercoating on the market with notable sound deadening and a textured finish perfect for top-coating with
paint. With the right preparation and a clean starting surface, expect corrosion protection for years to come
(leading to considerable maintenance savings and improving resale value).
Oil-Based
Oil-based coatings, on the other hand, work great by being penetrants, creeping into the crevices and surfaces
of your equipment’s underbody to provide exceptional protection in hard-to-reach areas. However, due to the low
viscosity of these fluids, overspray, dripping, and running can be a concern.
Additionally, power washing the underbody could remove the coating completely. These are typically annual coats,
meaning they get re-coated every year, so while not permanent, they can offer excellent protection while on the
surface.
Our
Clear Fluid Coat set out to reduce the pitfalls
of annual undercoating while providing the exceptional benefits associated with it. What came out was our heavy,
tenacious petroleum gel film that sprays clear, smooth, and does NOT drip or run off the surface area being
protected. This effective penetrant will creep into the joints and crevices, pushing out any remaining water,
air, and moisture, remaining in place to provide continued corrosion protection.
Wax-Based
Finally, solvent-based waxes are used primarily in
industrial situations, with
Undercoating in a Can Black Wax being the most
popular and promising
option on the market. It is a solvent-based wax packaged in an aerosol can, with a paraffin content that
provides exceptional adhesion to metal surfaces, even those plagued by existing rust. The film allows for
underlying moisture to evaporate during the drying process, and it never truly dries, leaving a firm but
somewhat tacky finish that allows for self-healing and prevents the spread of new rust when an area becomes
exposed via flying debris.
Due to popular demand, we now also offer a
Clear Wax formulation of Undercoating in a Can,
offering the same great protection.
In conclusion, undercoating your equipment is worth the time and money if you choose the right product for your specific circumstances.
It's important to note that no topical product can ever remove existing rust. The only way to completely remove rust is via sandblasting. However, nothing corrodes quicker than fresh metal, so it is recommended to use a coating product after blasting.
Undercoating in a Can provides you with not only numerous options, but also plenty of resources to help you confidently choose Undercoating In A Can for your next project. If you have any questions, contact us! We’ll be happy to help.
While you’re here, don’t hesitate to pick up some accessories, such as the Wet Film Thickness Gauge, Quikcoat Precision Sprayer, spray wands, and more.
