It is a blessing to have your own car. But no matter how much money you spend, its functionality and reliability determine the value of the vehicle. But let’s get to the point where time wears your property out, all of them, including cars. The root of the ailment is RUST. It eats away metal and leaves an ugly surface on your undercarriage. Sad but it’s true.
However, it doesn’t have to be that painful since the problem is manageable. By getting your car the best undercoating, you can reverse the condition and give your vehicle a whole new look. The drawback is car maintenance drains your budget so quickly before you can recognize.
We know it sounds itchy. But we have been there, and we are here to tell you the solution you can take advantage of without spending a fortune. Since undercoat paint is terribly expensive, you don’t want to go wrong with it. Rust proofing your car can be done with a budget if you follow our suggestions. Also, stick with our tips before getting your hands dirty. But first of all, let us point out the bug.
Top 5 Best Undercoating Reviews
Reviews of the Best Undercoating
1. 3M 03584 Professional Grade Rubberized Undercoating
3M rubberized undercoating probably is not uncommon to people in the industry. It usually comes as the first entry of many rubberized undercoating reviews; this one is not an exception. In our opinion, it is not yet the best undercoating for cars, but it works just right universally for any type of recreational vehicle.
It is an asphalt-based undercarriage spray with the no-run formula making it easy to apply, especially to small areas like wheel wells, quarter panels, trunk lids, the interior of the fenders, and even under the hood. After adhering to the surface, the coat will seal small cracks and undulations of any miserable old undercarriage, additionally, provides more protection to block out grit, moisture, and grime.
The undercoating is in the form of spray will protect your vehicle underbody from corrosion, rust, and abrasion caused by environmental impacts. One more bright cure for lousy undercarriage is that the coat can dampen the unbearable noise outstandingly while giving insulation to your car’s cabin.
Pros: Recommend more spray for a proper coat.
Cons: Wet unpleasant smell. Need more spray for a proper coat.
2. Rust-Oleum 248657 Under Coat Spray
This Rustoleum undercoating offers a black coat that protects any metal, and similar metallic materials form rust and corrosion. The Stops Rust formula in the spray constructs a firm barrier that will remain soft when it’s dry. This layer covers strokes, holes and any defect on the underbody.
It is recommended to apply two thin coats rather than one for extra protection. It may take more than 2 hours to dry out in high ambient temp. Otherwise, one hour should be enough to cool up everything.
The product is manufactured in the USA; you can entrust the quality it provides. Also, you can rest assured that this undercoating allows more paint layers on it, one after another in a short amount of time. Thus, it is ideal for a DIY project.
Pros: High-quality product made in America. Easy to apply.
Cons: Need to apply 2 coats to maximize protection.
3. POR-15 45404 Semi Gloss Black Rust Preventive Paint
When we took the 80’s Bronco to the garage, its entire floor got eaten up by rust. Then we started the project with the 1-quart can hoping it to last till the end. Know what happened? We ended up throwing the other half can to the shelf after a round trip patching. So you learned one lesson.
We believe this versatile undercoating can handle more than two bottoms on a smooth spread. What scored us is its ability to coat directly to the rusted surface while other undercoatings require a degreasing process. However, if you want the coat to be more sticky, it’s better to do a bit of cleaning; unless you’re lazy, the POR-15 will save you.
We were surprised at how fast it gets dried even in the presence of moisture while remaining adhesive to the rough surface. It saved us a lot of time without rinsing the underbody and waiting for hours before the next layer. It’s probably fair to say that this POR-15 is one of the best undercoating for trucks we have ever come across. Just don’t get the material onto your skin or you will have to wear it for the next few weeks.
Pros: High-quality and high-performance. Available in two sizes. Adhesive material. Can apply to different surfaces.
Cons: Have to use up once opened or store carefully. Extremely stick to human’s skin, hard to wash and take time to fade.
4. RusFre Spray-On Rubberized Undercoating Material
In most car undercoating reviews, they recommend one gallon can fill a full-size truck. In fact, our Excursion took six gallons to get the full coat and two gallons for a Ford Focus. You can apply this material using a gun spray or brush tool. But the spray gun will help it get into every nook. Remember to strictly keep your skin from contact with the liquid and wear a respirator.
It would be best if you can equip a paint suit to cover from top to toes. The formula contains bound fibers and rust inhibitors that heal cracks, peels or chipping. We have applied this automotive material to the tailgate, doors, and rockers. Can’t say how much we love the outcome which looks identical to a factory undercoating. It has been the best undercoating spray so far in our garage. We highly recommend this product if you’re comfortable with the price.
Pros: Formulas create superior bonds. Can be used with a spray gun or brush. Low initial cost.
Cons: Takes longer time to dry. Most effective when working with RUSFRE BBB Guns.
5. Dynatron 544 Dyna-Pro Paintable Rubberized Undercoating
We finished the undercoating with this Dynatron on a 2008 Dodge Ram believing it to last through this winter. Before the process, we rubbed away the greased areas to ensure the spray would adhere entirely, but not until we found a nook was skipped left us no choice but to continue.
The coat, after all, feels smooth even on the rusted surface. So, if you spotted any oil saturation on the old undercoat, clean them up for the greatest adhesion. Most amazingly, we saw the Dynatron dried in a flash leaving the underbody a glossy and even look. Then, the floor just got ready for the paint.
This rubberized undercoat is backed by 3M is no doubt the best undercoating to prevent rust with its tight bond of electro-mechanism.
Pros: Powered by 3M. Versatile to use with the both brush and spray gun. High-performance and great adhesion. Finish matches any OEM paint.
Cons: Not on the budget side. Doesn’t have a long shelf-life once open.
6. Evercoat 1348 Low VOC Premium Rubberized Undercoating
This product is created for a redo DIY project. It functions better than anything on the already painted surface. In particular, it creates a rough and grip-able surface for the next coat layer. We suggest using this spray on undercarriages, bumpers or any metal area.
We really appreciate its longevity for this fair price. You can expect the coat to last longer than anything you’ve ever seen. Considered a “premium” product, this product gives reliability on the coat that will stick to any paint you provide.
Pros: Can adhere to the painted surface. Long lasting. Premium quality for a reasonable price.
Cons: Requires preparatory steps . Hard to spray at the first time.
7. TRANSTAR (4363-F) Quick Dry Rubberized Undercoating
This product is a hidden gem on the shelf, even on Amazon. Though it is not boasted with reviews, yet, but soon, because of its outstanding quality. We had run a test on a bare metal base and counted the time it got dried. The result was quicker than anything we’ve tried.
Furthermore, this automotive coating is extremely easy to use, even for first-timers. Like every undercoating on the market, the Transtar products help to protect and prevent the underbody against rust and corrosion while resisting abrasion.
On top of that, it reduces noises hit from the road unbelievably. We almost heard nothing but the minor sound came from the floor. This undercoat works perfectly on recreational vehicles and trailers.
Pros: Extremely easy to use. Create a durable shield for your car’s underbody. Leave a paintable adhesive surface.
Cons: The product hasn’t got much review and information by consumers yet.
Those are the 7 top undercoat paints that stand out in our garage shelf, and you’ve got our verdict about them.
Rust: Your Car’s Enemy
It seems like rust is a contagious disease that is inevitable to cars with age. Even the smallest presence of rust should not be left unchecked, or it will consume your entire underbody and affect the overall integrity of your car.
What Exactly is Rust?
Rust is electrochemical oxidation. In the case of cars, when the steel comes in contact with oxygen in the atmosphere, water evaporation, and all the things like salt they put on the road in winter, it triggers an electrochemical reaction that will eat up the steel in your car.
It actually creates a weak type of battery acid that eats stuff using electricity and chemistry. You are likely to see rust on a 4-year-old SUV when the factory rustproofing coat wears down. Places like Hawaii or South Dakota with salt and corrosion will turn your cars into an old rust bucket before the engines age.
Rust formation is like death and taxes. The picture of it is obvious, but no one knows when. Worse, rust spreads fast in hours even with a slight dent. It never hibernates through winter or goes on vacation in summer.
So how do you get your car unscathed through the seasons?
There are preventative measures that may cost you from zero to thousands. At this point, you can rely on a professional service or your own hand. Although you choose the inexpensive method, the problem lies ahead.
Undercoat Paints Cost an Arm and a Leg
Professional service or warranty takes days to process. They will put your car on a hoist, disassemble the wheels, use pressurized water to spray the underbody, degrease the floor pan and leave it there to dry before applying the rust proof coat.
How about people with a tight budget?
You can teach yourself a course and will be thankful in the end. Open your garage and gear up some tools, spend some hours of your lazy weekend to exchange experiences and leave your wallet alone. Sounds like a deal?
Benefits of Undercoating your Car
Living close to the ocean is a privilege for you but not your car. Contacting with salt water, it urges the oxidation with the metal of your car even faster. The concept applies to snow regions.
Undercoating your car will help it withstand the tear and wear of the elements. Furthermore, you will soon realize the undercoat dampens the sound making it quieter on the road.
Buying Guide for Automotive Undercoating
We assume that you’ve decided to get your hands dirty, so we are happy to give you our experience when it comes to buying undercoating for your undercarriage.
It is useful to know the types of undercoating, which brands are among the favor or the kit you must have to get the job done, all of which you will learn here in this section. Types of undercoating explained:
1. Rubberized Undercoating
This type of coating is easy to apply and has the ability to deaden sound quite well. Like most types of undercoat paint, rubberized undercoating gives the rusted surface a significant protective layer. This layer plays as a coat that blocks the invasion of particles and environmental elements to rust, corrodes and consumes the metal in the bottom.
The rubberized coating can be applied not only to the undercarriage but also to the wheel wells or quarter panels. It leaves a soft rubbery finish after drying out. Some coats allow paint over while some can’t hold any foreign layer. When shopping for rubberized vehicle undercoating, make sure you read the instruction if you plan for bodywork.
This type of undercoat paint is the most budget and leaves less mess on your floor; if any, it won’t make a hassle to clean up. In overall, the product type is best for protecting your undercarriage from rust and moisture. Thus it is ideal for a seaside citizen.
2. Polyurethane Undercoating
Aka polyurethane-based sealant, it is the typical type of vehicle undercoating which will save you time and effort to work with. The material often comes in a canister of 1 gallon to use with an application gun. The sealant operates by oozing around rust to create bonds in cracks and seams. It further displaces salt and moisture to protect the unoxidized areas.
The polyurethane doesn’t take long to dry. It should be ready as quick for the paint over. On the other side, this car undercoating method requires some prep-work like sanding and etching primer before applying the solution.
3. Wax or Paraffin-Based Undercoatings
It is fair to say this method is the most budget one yet quickest option available. But the cheapest is the dearest. Wax-based undercoating is not an optimal option for not being adhesive to the metal.
But at the least, it provides base protective properties in the moderately humid climate. The material is commonly used in a spray gun or an aerosol canister with its spray drips into cracks and seams. The method offers a mess-free process with minor thrown out beams.
4. Asphalt-Based Undercoating
The sufficient undercoating for your vehicle is this type though it is a luxurious investment. However, it’s worth a dime for maximum protection and longevity. Products in this line become more popular in many car undercoating reviews as top suggestions since it gathers a mix of all types’ characteristics.
Asphalt-based undercoat paints contain a minor amount of rubberized material to set a sturdy finish yet help to dampen sound.
Undercoating Car Tutorial
Now you have a clean underbody ready for undercoating. Let’s get to the steps. We launch the section with the 3M undercoat to apply to the entire underbody. According to the review above, the product is perfect for protecting the vehicle’s bottom side from rusting, especially in the winter months. We will spray this rubberized undercoating to intervene between the rusting process.
Step 1: Wheel Removal
The reason for doing this is because you want to clean up the wheels thoroughly as well as the underside of the vehicle. Removing the wheels out to the side gives you room to spray the undercoat underneath of it.
Step 2: Clean the Underbody and Wheel Wells
Bringing your vehicle to the service is easy, but only if your account is not tight on it. Otherwise, you can DIY the undercoating. The very first step is cleaning the underbody. No matter what material you use for the project, you can’t leave the bottom floor full of dust and debris. Clean floor will help it adhere to the paint better.
On the other hand, cleaning the underbody off particles leaves a smooth surface to spray or brush on; sanding off rust has the same benefits yet making the process more convenient. We’ve got some tips for cleaning the underbody
Remove any dirt, debris, and mud off the undercarriage using a pressurized washer. If you don’t have a power washer, we strongly recommend one because it is definitely not a waste since you can make use of it for long-term. The pressurized water can push all the dirt away before you start putting a bar of soap and sponge on it.
- Cleaning chemicals
- Degrease cleanser
- Rim cleanser
- Engine cleanser
You may notice as the car is lifted, it shows nooks filled with dirt that can’t be removed by the power water. This has to be done by hand after wetting it; you should be prepared to get soaked. We highly recommend wearing a mask as you may inhale stink from the cleansers. Spray the degreasers all over to every nook. Then, rinse the liquid with clean water.
It’s time to dry all moisture out using the air hose. Remember, you must not leave any drop on the surface or the undercoat will trap the liquid in and form rust on the inside, that is the worst case we never want to happen. Also, if there are a lot of rust and corrosion on the metal, take time to remove them all or the rubberized coat will do more harm than help.
Degrease the wheel wells, We suggest using the McGuire super degreaser in a sprayable bottle. Use a brush to clean up dirt, gunk and everything found in between. Take the similar steps of blowing water to remove dirt, then applying the degreasers to every intricate area whether it be behind or above the shock. Agitate all the dirt with the brush to have an even surface for the undercoating.
As soon as you are done, grab your hose and spray down every degreaser, making the wheel well look nice and clean.
Continue to the remaining wheels. Keep in mind you want to dry everything out and don’t leave any moisture to dwell. Utilize whatever you have whether it’s a cloth, hairdryer, heat gun or blowgun
Step 3: Mask up
You can use whatever method you want to cover the area you don’t want the undercoating to reach. Since the undercoat should go to the frame which means everything else we need to mask up. We used a garbage bag to slide it over the top of the entire braking system to seal that part. For the coilovers, we taped them with tape and draped them then made them stay tight with some extra tape.
Step 4: Pre-spray
Give the bottle a shake before you spray it on the surface. We suggest doing a test on the side to see what the fan pattern and the spray are like. We’ve noticed that the bottle is not similar to typical spray paint. It doesn’t have a tall fan pattern that allows you to spray across. It is more like a sniper shot. So, it will shoot in the center. What you want to do is to spray up and down, determinedly.
Step 5: Gear Yourself up
Inhaling the spray leads to suffocation and other severe consequences. Protect yourself with a respirator and safety goggles. We wore gloves and long sleeve shirts.
Step 6: Spray
At this point, you are not looking to coat the surface all in one shot know that you’re going to be building up layers like painting a car. Do a couple of coats at a time, then let it dry, come back and add the next layers until you get a good foundation of protection between the panel and the outside sort of salt, corrosion and everything else.
10 minutes should be enough for the first layer to dry out. You can come back for the next round for multiple layer protection. At the second layer, it will start to get thick and look matte. Apply to the entire bottom in the same manner and quality.
For one wheel well, we used up one can of 3M undercoat. The entire bottom of our Honda Accord took 3 cans. When you do this, make sure you don’t hit the exhaust, driveshaft, differential, transmission, engine, and anything that is going to get hot. You should be covering the brake lines, fuel lines, and all metal surface of the bottom side.
Do this to Guard Your Car Against Rust, Forever
In the old time of cars, they used lacquer-based paint to buff the protection of layers and layers. But in a modern car, painting is much different. The metal has a primer type coat under a layer of the base coat which is the color, then comes the clear coat and wax coat all of which protect the bare metal.
As long as these coats are still there, your cars won’t rust. When it comes to solid parts, the frame and crossmembers are generally electroplated and when manufacturing the cars. The metal is the negative charge, and the paint is the positive charge. When the whole car goes into the tank, it coats it all with a zinc-based primer.
Zinc has a role in slowing the corrosion rate that is used sacrificially to be the first thing to be eaten up. This process works as long as you keep the coating for being rubbed off or cracked off; or if you get in a wreck, they don’t reseal. And if the process was done incorrectly, like on the 1990s Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks which they didn’t coat the frames right, a lot of the hard parts got rotten away.
So, you may realize, the whole process of covering the steel is just a cover.It is not like hot Zinc galvanizing where you dip it when it’s hot to melt the zinc. If this part gets scratched or knocked off, it will start to erode inside. Your business is to keep the coating intact.
How to do it? You are supposed to wax your car four times a year, once each season. It will keep the clear coat supple to block any attack from the environment.
Undercoat Cars with Oil or Diesel
It is totally fine to apply molasses on vehicle though these items are not going to be good. We’ve seen a lot of people use motor oil, it repels water and prevents rust. This method is fairly cheaper than using rubberized undercoat.
We’ve tried this method on our 2007 Chevy pickup truck with the aerosol-based lubricant that provides a barrier, which is specific for vehicle undercoating. The product is a multi-use non-drying lubricant used to control and prevent rust and corrosion. The product is Pro Film by Gummo.
The material is made of wool wax or lanolin that is capable of repelling water and displacing moisture. Beyond automotive applications, it can also be seen on machinery farm equipment and recreational vehicles. It is a non-drip, non-conductive formula safe for all metals and does not swell rubbers.
It took 2 cans to finish our project. If you have a concrete asphalt or a paving stone driveway, we recommend moving your vehicle onto gravel or grassy areas as you do have to worry about any spray misting on the ground. Lay down a tarp plastic or cardboard if you can’t prepare a good mess-free place.
Where to Spray the Undercoat?
You also start with cleaning the underside of your vehicle to remove any loose dirt, debris or rust. It is best to apply the coating in warmer days as it penetrates better. Ensure the area you’re spraying is dry and free of moisture. Shake the can first, spray an even coat on various parts underneath the car. You can spray on the frame rails, crossmember. On unibody vehicles, you also want to spray on the subframe as well.
Continue spraying on the control arms, around the engine areas such as follies belt, alternator, starter exhaust manifold, and radiator. If there are frame components which have a tubular design, use the supply nozzle to spray inside for rust protection.
The spray pattern tends to be fairly, direct with minimal overspray. Moving on to the floor region, spray the frame or the unibody structure. Some vehicle will have removable caps which can be taken out; you can spray to the inside with the nozzle then reinstall the cap.
Areas not to display in this area include the exhaust. If your vehicle is equipped with the metal fuel tank, we would recommend spraying that as well as they can rust over time and will cost to replace. Another important place to spray as well for preventive maintenance is the brake and fuel lines which run along the floor inside the frame rail.
Be sure to spray on the other side of the rockers as these common areas can fail the rust on many vehicles. Moving on to the fender wells, some have the plastic liners and some do not. You can remove the fender liner or at least pop out a few clips to gain access in behind, which does help but as it is needed.
Others which have metal exposures, spray coating on that. Try not to get the spray on the tyres if you still have them on, or cover them with plastic bags. If you work with the truck that has tie-down areas on the top of the box is a great area to get behind the panels. Use the nozzle to allow the product to mix inside the panel protecting the back side. Getting access behind the bumpers by spraying in between the panel gap that matches up to your vehicle body.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Black coat vs.clear coat? Which one is better?
We understand the appeal of a black coat, and you may notice some black coats go semi-hard, while the others are tough and kind of rubbery. But for used cars, when you use a screwdriver to pry a lid, it’ll show a whole load of problems.
So black coats hide things underneath you can’t realize unless you remove everything or the bad become obvious.
Black undercoatings don’t creep. Clear undercoatings creep. It is fine to use black stuff under a truck and on a chassis. The only thing is you’ve got to make sure is it doesn’t hold any moisture. Clear undercoatings repel moisture effectively.
If you spray all the bottom with black and you just use the clear stuff somewhere else, the clear stuff can actually remove the black by its cleansing factor.
2. Does rubberized undercoating do any harm to the underbody?
Rubberized undercoating on a chassis is the death sentence of the chassis itself. In fact, it develops a well inside filled with moist or water in other words. Once you peel it up, you won’t believe the corrosion on the chassis.
3. What type of undercoating is the best?
In doing business, the service would try to outweigh to cost with the quality and add labor fee to make the business run. They use tons of brands and know the best for your typical vehicle. Likewise, the best undercoating for your car depends on how rusty it went and the properties of your living areas. Every label has got their good and not very good points. So, no one is a perfect one.
4. Can I use fluid filling?
There are certain places you can use for undercoating. It has a lubricant and works effectively instantly. However, if you leave it for a long time, you may catch it jam the mechanism where it got applied, which felt a bit freaky for us. We’d rather use this stuff in areas where there is no mechanism to move freely because the material goes hard to block every movement.
5. How long should I get my vehicle a new undercoat?
Once a year regularly, especially in the north where there are slushy on the road. The tyres would try its best to flick up salt, snow, rocks, dirt, and ice to hit the bottom of the vehicle. It’s fun to say only if you had an armored plate under; you would feel free to let the dirt do its job. But because you don’t, and the particles take off some undercoat, replacing a new coat every year is essential. Take special care to the hoop and seams that will really hold stuff in it. These places are more vital than a flat floor.
Our Verdict
We hope we’ve been useful enough for your next project getting your car a good undercoating to survive the road.
The products we suggested are all good no matter which one you choose. They all function in giving your underbody and undercarriage great protection. For us, each of them has their best to prove themselves.
What you should look at is the value behind it and how to take proper care of your car’s bottom side. Following our instruction, you should be able to handle everything nice and fine. Since our experience has taken us here, we are available to help you with any question and will be happy to hear from you.
Do leave us some comments and queries. We’ll be here always.
I am Peter Levick, with over 10 years of experience in the home improvement industry, I have become a seasoned expert in painting and paint sprayers. Through numerous DIY projects, I have developed a keen eye for aesthetics and a deep understanding of the technical aspects involved. My expertise extends to various paint sprayer systems, and I stay updated with the latest advancements. I bring a meticulous approach to every project, ensuring stunning and durable results. Clients can trust in my craftsmanship and commitment to delivering exceptional work.
