Undercoat...yes or no?
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 639
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From: K.C. MO
Undercoat...yes or no?
Just curious if you had your truck undercoated. I know when I pick mine up at the dealer, they, like every other dealer, will route me through the aftermarket parasite's office in the hopes I will overpay for some other option they didn't offer originally. I have purchased almost everything extra I want already and saved a buttload of money by shopping and buying online but undercoating is one I am not too sure on. Sounds like a good idea and the dealer price doesn't sound too out of line...around $250 but I haven't really shopped around yet.
My question is: Is it worth it? Will it really cut down the road noise? I live in Missouri where they do use a lot of chemicals on the roads in the winter. Does it protect enough against that to warrant the cost?
How many of you opted for it from the dealer?
My question is: Is it worth it? Will it really cut down the road noise? I live in Missouri where they do use a lot of chemicals on the roads in the winter. Does it protect enough against that to warrant the cost?
How many of you opted for it from the dealer?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,127
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If undercoating is applied at the factory or on new metal... it does do little harm.
The problem is, as an aftermarket coat, contaminants have already gotten on the surface, and if you put undercoat, it traps moisture and contaminants right up against the metal, starting a corrosion pocket between the stuff and the metal.
Not a good idea in general.
If you really worry about rust... I have some neat solutions.
The problem is, as an aftermarket coat, contaminants have already gotten on the surface, and if you put undercoat, it traps moisture and contaminants right up against the metal, starting a corrosion pocket between the stuff and the metal.
Not a good idea in general.
If you really worry about rust... I have some neat solutions.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,777
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I was always an "undercoating" guy using typically Ziebart. I found out two things, first that the new trucks are treated for corrosion protection at the factory. They are less likely to rust than older cars/trucks that are not treated. Second, I would always find rust under my "undercoated" vehicle and never really understood why. Some was related to what Gearloose said but also found out that undercoating can actually trap moisture in seams causing them to rust. By the time you get to your yearly "re-treat", the damage has already started.
Some guys are Line-xing their undersides but I opted for another option. I had been using Fluid Film on my snow plow equipment for years. I never had a rust issue with any of the equipment. I decided on this truck to use it. I bought a cheap industrial sprayer and a gallon of Fluid Film. It took me about an hour and about half of the can. It has been on since early December and I went to check on it this past weekend. No rust! And the protection seems to be holding up against the northeast salt and snow.
Some guys are Line-xing their undersides but I opted for another option. I had been using Fluid Film on my snow plow equipment for years. I never had a rust issue with any of the equipment. I decided on this truck to use it. I bought a cheap industrial sprayer and a gallon of Fluid Film. It took me about an hour and about half of the can. It has been on since early December and I went to check on it this past weekend. No rust! And the protection seems to be holding up against the northeast salt and snow.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 573
Likes: 38
From: Carthage, Mo
I bought an old truck that had more damage from undercoating than it would have had with none. As others have stated, it was applied too thick, then it trapped moisture & rusted the metal out.
Now I have undercoated one of my trucks in the past when it was brand new. Removed the inner fenders & applied a light, even coat of rubberized undercoating that you can buy in the cans to the sheet metal underneath. That worked great, and the truck has no rust (a 1991 that my son now has).
I have also been herded through the parasites at the dealer that try to make you feel like a loser if you don't buy their product "What, you don't want to protect your new truck???" No sale here.
Now I have undercoated one of my trucks in the past when it was brand new. Removed the inner fenders & applied a light, even coat of rubberized undercoating that you can buy in the cans to the sheet metal underneath. That worked great, and the truck has no rust (a 1991 that my son now has).
I have also been herded through the parasites at the dealer that try to make you feel like a loser if you don't buy their product "What, you don't want to protect your new truck???" No sale here.
Logistics Pro
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From: Texas
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: K.C. MO
The Fluid Film looks good in the videos. How often realistically would it have to be re-applied in an undercoat situation? And where is the best place to buy?
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New User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21
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Undercoating
I have used Krown on all of my trucks since starting a program with my Township fleet of trucks, I find it stops rust, makes repairs easier and stops wiring shorts. I do the fleet every fall before winter along with my truck and am very satisfied.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 78
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From: Illinois
Got it done at the dealer. I do not know if it helps with road noise as I was never was in the truck with out it. Seems to be split as to whether it is worth it or not. I decided to do it because it made me feel better.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2010
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John Deere dealers carry it but you can find better online deals using their vendor list: Fluid Film® | Corrosion Preventative, Lubricant and Rust Inhibitor or just by Googling it. I have a local snow plow shop that stocks it.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 110
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That undercoating/gunk they spray will trap water/salt as soon as it cracks.
I just took all the undercoating off on mine, everywhere there was a chip/crack in the undercoating, there was rust.
I have used Gearloose's idea and applied zinc rich paint everywhere + paint + professionally rust proofed + oil.
So far so good this winter, not a trace of rust on the frame yet..
(To be confirmed this summer)
I just took all the undercoating off on mine, everywhere there was a chip/crack in the undercoating, there was rust.
I have used Gearloose's idea and applied zinc rich paint everywhere + paint + professionally rust proofed + oil.
So far so good this winter, not a trace of rust on the frame yet..
(To be confirmed this summer)
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 51
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Undercoat...yes or no?
I talked to a guy who used Rhino Liner in his fender wells and he swears by it. Does anyone out there have experience with that or other bed liners used as an undercoat? I'm considering using Eastwood undercoating on the frame and underside of my truck and I'm thinking the bedliner might be good for the fender wells. Please comment.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Frederick, MD
I under coating mine when I bought it. Drove it home and did it. I have always had good results with it myself.
Since it had not been driven but 7 summer miles when I bought it I went ahead.
Now that we have had several snow storms and my white truck is even whiter I think I made the right choice.
I also painted the entire underside components and things as well.
Then fluid film. We will see what it looks like in the spring.
Since it had not been driven but 7 summer miles when I bought it I went ahead.
Now that we have had several snow storms and my white truck is even whiter I think I made the right choice.
I also painted the entire underside components and things as well.
Then fluid film. We will see what it looks like in the spring.