Car undercoating really helpful?

[yxhjlmazda]

I just bought a brand new Mazda CX-5. I live in Toronto(GTA), Canada, where the road salt is very common way to deice after snowfall in winter. I wonder if a car undercoating is really helpful in protecting underside of the car from rust? If it is, what stores provide such service and how much does it cost in general?
Thanks!

 

[N7turbo]

Yes and only use the oil-based ones. Do not do the permanent hard coatings. The most common is lanolin. I have not done this yet but I've read that it can stink for a while after applying so leave the car outside. Do it before it gets cold so it has time to spread out.

 

[Jmaz]

Yes, I would absolutely get rustproofing where you live. Although the roads get salted where I live , it's not horrible. The pictures of corrosion damage on vehicles in northeast USA and Canada are horrible. And that's just after a few years. Remember, it's not just body rust but wheels, brakes, suspension, exhaust, brake lines, everything underneath. It shouldn't be difficult to find out what works well by talking to the locals who use such a service. Maybe better advice than on an internet forum.

 

[yxhjlmazda]

Yes and only use the oil-based ones. Do not do the permanent hard coatings. The most common is lanolin. I have not done this yet but I've read that it can stink for a while after applying so leave the car outside. Do it before it gets cold so it has time to spread out.

Thank you! You mentioned "Do not do the permanent hard coatings". Do you mean a protection consists of a tough rubberized undercoating? Can I ask you why because I believe most of people do the hard coatings? Thank you!

 

[yxhjlmazda]

Yes, I would absolutely get rustproofing where you live. Although the roads get salted where I live , it's not horrible. The pictures of corrosion damage on vehicles in northeast USA and Canada are horrible. And that's just after a few years. Remember, it's not just body rust but wheels, brakes, suspension, exhaust, brake lines, everything underneath. It shouldn't be difficult to find out what works well by talking to the locals who use such a service. Maybe better advice than on an internet forum.

Thank you! You are absolutely right. Rust will appear everywhere very soon if not get rustproofing.

 

[Bcdad182]

Depends on the vehicle and where you live. However in Ontario I wouldn’t hesitate to say yes. I live in the Vancouver area of BC and my non rustproofed 2013 CX5 barely has any rust except for the usual patina that suspension and other parts get. My 2005 Honda Civic that I just retired likewise had barely any visible rust on it. However I used to have a 95 Pathfinder that did have the undercoat and internal rust proofing and it was about 18 years old when it was totalled and was just starting to have some concerning rust issues. Compared to others I know with same vehicle and age they had to retire them earlier as the rust around the back door and catalytic converter mount really started to eat away the body. So for that vehicle rust proofing was a must even in mild part of BC. I always say do what’s right for you. But it will extend life of vehicle and give some peace of mind.

 

[Snake]

IME, modern cars already come with an undercoating on the frame. Feels thick and waxy.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

No..absolutely do not rely on anything OEM… I even see some rust on my CX-5 in area of the US (Pacific Northwest) not part of the salt belt.

Look to Krown or Ziebart

Krown Rust Control

This is Krown Rust Control

www.krown.com

Rust Protection and Proofing | Auto Care Services | Ziebart

As the industry trailblazer for over 60 years, Ziebart’s genuine Rust Protection services protect your vehicle from the rusting process.

www.ziebart.com

Washington state uses magnesium chloride in passes… I can only conclude this also allows for some corrosion

The Growing Case Against Magnesium Chloride

Several years ago, in light of the wealth of scientific information on the damaging effects of magnesium chloride, Eco Solutions eliminated all usage of the the de-icing chemical magnesium chloride…

eco-solutions.net

“Chloride-based salts are all highly corrosive to motor vehicle components and roadside infrastructure but vary in degree, with the most corrosive being the hydroscopic chlorides (e.g., magnesium chloride and calcium chloride). The hydroscopic chlorides are more corrosive because deposits remain moist and allow corrosion to occur for a much longer period. It has been demonstrated that when acid rain is present, there is a synergistic effect (increase in corrosion rate) with chloride salts (200).”

British Columbia

Use of Road Salt for De-Icing

“Magnesium chloride is less corrosive than these two de-icers, but is still moderately corrosive.”

 

[Moonlighter]

As we dont have snowy weather here, I dont bother with after market rustproofing my Cx5.

Butwhat I can say is that I coat my galvanised boat trailer with lanolin spray annually- it gets dropped in saltwater every time the boat is used.

And I take the cowl off and spray the motor with lanolin as well.

I traded my 13 year old Suzuki outboard in last year on a new one and got top dollar for the trade because it looked like new under the cowl.

I also spray the underside of my 4WD before I take it on its annual beach trip.

The lanolin repels water, prevents corrosion and is dielectric to boot. Good stuff. Really good stuff. Depending on which version you get, it stays tacky for a couple of days then basically sets off, and stops smelling. It can be easily removed with degreaser.

 

[yxhjlmazda]

Depends on the vehicle and where you live. However in Ontario I wouldn’t hesitate to say yes. I live in the Vancouver area of BC and my non rustproofed 2013 CX5 barely has any rust except for the usual patina that suspension and other parts get. My 2005 Honda Civic that I just retired likewise had barely any visible rust on it. However I used to have a 95 Pathfinder that did have the undercoat and internal rust proofing and it was about 18 years old when it was totalled and was just starting to have some concerning rust issues. Compared to others I know with same vehicle and age they had to retire them earlier as the rust around the back door and catalytic converter mount really started to eat away the body. So for that vehicle rust proofing was a must even in mild part of BC. I always say do what’s right for you. But it will extend life of vehicle and give some peace of mind.

Definitely! Thank you!

IME, modern cars already come with an undercoating on the frame. Feels thick and waxy.

Heard of that. Thank you!

No..absolutely do not rely on anything OEM… I even see some rust on my CX-5 in area of the US (Pacific Northwest) not part of the salt belt.

Look to Krown or Ziebart

Krown Rust Control

This is Krown Rust Control

www.krown.com

Rust Protection and Proofing | Auto Care Services | Ziebart

As the industry trailblazer for over 60 years, Ziebart’s genuine Rust Protection services protect your vehicle from the rusting process.

www.ziebart.com

Washington state uses magnesium chloride in passes… I can only conclude this also allows for some corrosion

The Growing Case Against Magnesium Chloride

Several years ago, in light of the wealth of scientific information on the damaging effects of magnesium chloride, Eco Solutions eliminated all usage of the the de-icing chemical magnesium chloride…

eco-solutions.net

“Chloride-based salts are all highly corrosive to motor vehicle components and roadside infrastructure but vary in degree, with the most corrosive being the hydroscopic chlorides (e.g., magnesium chloride and calcium chloride). The hydroscopic chlorides are more corrosive because deposits remain moist and allow corrosion to occur for a much longer period. It has been demonstrated that when acid rain is present, there is a synergistic effect (increase in corrosion rate) with chloride salts (200).”

British Columbia

Use of Road Salt for De-Icing

“Magnesium chloride is less corrosive than these two de-icers, but is still moderately corrosive.”

Good ideas! Thank you for your helpful information!

As we dont have snowy weather here, I dont bother with after market rustproofing my Cx5.

Butwhat I can say is that I coat my galvanised boat trailer with lanolin spray annually- it gets dropped in saltwater every time the boat is used.

And I take the cowl off and spray the motor with lanolin as well.

I traded my 13 year old Suzuki outboard in last year on a new one and got top dollar for the trade because it looked like new under the cowl.

I also spray the underside of my 4WD before I take it on its annual beach trip.

The lanolin repels water, prevents corrosion and is dielectric to boot. Good stuff. Really good stuff. Depending on which version you get, it stays tacky for a couple of days then basically sets off, and stops smelling. It can be easily removed with degreaser.

Wow! Thank you!

 

[N7turbo]

Ziebart

 

[vrsick]

Living in the North East, I had 1 of my vehicles treated with undercoat from the dealership. They over sprayed in some areas. It made it a challenge to get to some of the bolts and nuts. Eventually a few years later most of it thinned out. After that experience I took it upon myself to treat all my vehicles with Fluid Film. Soon I'll be trying out another product called B'Laster. I try to apply the product before winter and late spring. Any thing is better than nothing.

 

[7eregrine]

Thank you! You mentioned "Do not do the permanent hard coatings". Do you mean a protection consists of a tough rubberized undercoating? Can I ask you why because I believe most of people do the hard coatings? Thank you!

There is a type of under coating that is this black tar looking crap. That's what he's referring to. You don't want that.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

Actually meant to say Fluid Film and not Ziebart

Good catch

 

[yxhjlmazda]

Thank you!

Living in the North East, I had 1 of my vehicles treated with undercoat from the dealership. They over sprayed in some areas. It made it a challenge to get to some of the bolts and nuts. Eventually a few years later most of it thinned out. After that experience I took it upon myself to treat all my vehicles with Fluid Film. Soon I'll be trying out another product called B'Laster. I try to apply the product before winter and late spring. Any thing is better than nothing.

Thank you!

There is a type of under coating that is this black tar looking crap. That's what he's referring to. You don't want that.

Thank you!

 

[200955]

I just bought a brand new Mazda CX-5. I live in Toronto(GTA), Canada, where the road salt is very common way to deice after snowfall in winter. I wonder if a car undercoating is really helpful in protecting underside of the car from rust? If it is, what stores provide such service and how much does it cost in general?
Thanks!

My son has his car done at Crown here in Canada every year and the stuff they spray is somewhat decent. He's noticed that some of his weather striping swells and distorts should this product get on it and he has to wipe the excess off a few times after rustproofing. The underside of his Mazda3 is almost completely covered with plastic panels so I ask myself " What actually gets coated?" Take those panels off before rust spraying.

 

[Buzzman12]

Ottawa resident here. I have oil sprayed my cars for over 30 years, and it absolutely makes a positive difference. I would say go ahead and undercoat/rust proof your car, but not with dealer crap.
I've used Krown for years with good results.

 

[V8toilet]

I pay mass mobile undercoating to spray NH Oil under mine and if you do that it will never rust or stop the rust that is there. Ask for the clear.

 

[vrsick]

I pay mass mobile undercoating to spray NH Oil under mine and if you do that it will never rust or stop the rust that is there. Ask for the clear.

What can I expect to pay?