How to Apply Car Undercoating
If you own a classic car or a vehicle you intend to keep for many a year then it may be worth your while consideringundercoatingthe bottom of the car to prevent rust damage and corrosion. The underside of the average car gets quite a beating with being bombarded with stones all year round and in winter with salt and grit.
The chassis forms a structural part of the motorcar and in many places underneath if a rust hole should develop it will fail its annual safety inspection. Most car accessory shops sell car under seal and this is usually a thick tar like substance that is suitable to withstand the constant bombardment of stones and grit.
In order to prepare for undercoating you’ll need to raise the car so you can comfortably climb underneath and reach all parts of the chassis with ease. With a wire brush you’ll need to clean the surface of the chassis and remove loose rust and debris. If you encounter rust holes you will have to have these professionally welded before the job can begin. Whilst inspecting the car for rust damage underneath check the inner and outer seals as these might be rust damaged they will need to be changed before the job of under coating can start.
There are two ways of applying under seal. One way is using an old fashioned paint brush. If you take this method buy cheap paint brushes as they will not be suitable for future use. The other method and probably the easiest is to spray the underneath. On the market there are special spray kits. Remember under seal is thick and the only affective way to spray is to use an air compressor. If spraying the chassis wear clothes you’ll be willing to throw away immediately after the job. Also have a solvent to clean off spills from the skin and face. You will also need to mask off areas of the body which are not to be treated.
Spraying the chassis will reach all the nocks and crannies which could be missed with hand painting. The advantage of hand painting is it is probably slightly less mucky affair. All parts of the underside must be treated. However, avoid rubber and metal brake pipes if you can and do not spray near the wheel and braking components. Also if you can avoid the engine components and hand brake cables. Clean off any spray from the exhaust pipe or it will smell when the engine is running and the exhaust system gets hot. The car can be used immediately the job is done and there is no need to wait for the under seal to set.
