Undercoating / rust proofing

[22E6441]

Hey folks,

Spring is almost here, and I'm getting excited to prep for the upcoming season.

My first step is to buy a better tow vehicle....looking to go buy a 2006 GMC Envoy XLT 4.2 today and wondering what everybody thinks of undercoating.

Worth it? This is my tow vehicle that will get dipped into lakes from time to time...lol. No salt water exposure, but lots of Canadian road salt....

Any thoughts appreciated...

Cheers!
Pat

 

[kohnal]

Re: Undercoating / rust proofing

I would if I where you. My friend had a sliver ado that did the same for our boats and he has undercoated it every and he has almost no rust on it.

 

[woosterken]

Re: Undercoating / rust proofing

i wonder with the new to you truck being a '06 it has already seen 4 years of road salt
unless it wascoated when new it mite be to late?

woosterken

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Undercoating / rust proofing

I'd check to see what the rust warranty was on that truck from GM, it may have some warranty left which might be voided by undercoating.

I do know that from dealing with old cars and restorations over the years, those with no undercoating seem to have faired better than those with it. It's almost like the undercoating didn't allow it to dry out. It seems like those with undercoating all have rust through while those without are rusty but not rusted through.

I had a 1981 Dodge truck which had been done with 'Rusty Jones' rust prevention treatment. The doors rotted out, the floor was gone and the rocker panels were rotted away by 1986, a buddy who bought basically the same truck, from a different dealer, had nothing done to it, still has his with no such rust. Both trucks saw the same type of use, only I live miles from the water, he lives 50 yds from a saltwater bay. His isn't pretty these days but its still usable. Mine was a rusted bucket of bolts in 5 years. My guess was that the rust treatment clogged up all the drains in the doors and rocker panels, plus the undercoating must have held moisture because the areas they missed were fine.
(Rusty Jones was a rust proofing service that came with a lifetime guarantee but they've long since gone out of business).

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Undercoating / rust proofing

Have to be careful with a used vehicle that you are not "sealing in" already started corrosion and actually speeding up the process.
My 2 cents.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Undercoating / rust proofing

I agree that the rubberized stuff seems to just seal in moisture. I had an old Explorer and sprayed the rattle can rubbery stuff...not good.

I don't think the oil based stuff would hurt though. I mean it's just oil and that will definitely keep moisture away but I don't think it'll do that much good.

Personally though with my vehicles I wash them about twice a week in the winter with HOT water from a garden hose. I kneel on the ground and rinse off everything underneath. Wash out the wheel wells and rocker panels, under the hood, and underneath the bottom edges of the doors, hood, and tailgate. I figure that's where salt accumulates and where vehicles usually start rusting first, so why not keep it clean?

 

[drylake]

Re: Undercoating / rust proofing

Paints, coatings, etc regardless of the brand, cost, and type do not work properly unless they are applied correctly. All require a good anchor pattern and clean surface to bond and protect. Its hard to get the underside of an automobile prepared well without taking it apart.