If done incorrectly, it will obstruct drainage holes, cover body clips and bolts, seal in water, and/or create more issues than it solves.
If I didn’t routinely drive gravel roads or park outside on gravel or dirt, I wouldn’t buy it, and even then, I’d only do it from a body shop or dealer that let me see their previous finished work first.
In This Article...
Toyota advises against rustproofing.
Q According to a Toyota mechanic friend, installing aftermarket rustproofing voids the Prius Hybrid warranty.
According to the claim, the procedure will coat electrical wire to hide high-tension cables.
Toyota Canada Inc. representative Rebecca Wu responds:
This is due to the fact that they are constructed with careful design considerations, carefully chosen materials, and coatings to assist prevent corrosion.
Toyota would not be held liable if the use of aftermarket rustproofing was the direct cause of a problem with the car.
Our guarantee will cover flaws in workmanship or materials, but it will not cover problems brought on by elements other than manufacturing procedures.
The chemicals used may react with the insulating qualities of the hybrid system, including the wiring harness, connectors, parts, and associated objects that come into touch with rustproofing solutions.
The component’s insulation, functionality, and lifespan may all suffer as a result.
Hybrid vehicles also include parts that are prominently identified, such as the orange high voltage harnesses.
All high-voltage harnesses and electrical systems must be easily identifiable by service professionals and other personnel, such as emergency responders.
Any electrostatic charge that is induced through the ground side may have an impact and cause the hybrid system to malfunction.
In case the insulation on the primary power supply for the hybrid system is damaged, hybrid vehicles are equipped with this fail-safe.
Honda Canada’s public relations coordinator, Laura Heasman, responds:
In the warranty manuals for Honda vehicles, it is stated that damage caused by the use of aftermarket rustproofing products will prevent warranty repairs from being made.
Coverage is specifically denied “for any repairs required as a result of remodelling or changes done to accommodate or install any additions, attachments, parts, or equipment which have not been inspected and approved by Honda.”
Eric Lai continues
I sought comments on this matter from Tom Maher, a franchisee of Ziebart/Tidy Car in Scarborough, and Kelly Hughson, a Rust Check franchisee in Mississauga.
They responded by saying that the aftermarket rustproofing services provided by their individual parent firms (and significant countrywide chains in general) are secure, have a successful track record, and do not void the warranties of the car manufacturer.
Additionally, according to Hughson and Maher, they regularly receive head office memos outlining sensitive parts of new vehicles that may need particular care or that ought to be avoided altogether.
The seasoned rustproofers claimed that a large portion of their business comes directly from new car dealerships.
Others rely on aftermarket sources for the actual application, while other dealers supply and apply rustproofing internally.
Please be aware that neither the Toronto Star nor any of its publications promote or suggest any specific automobile goods or services.
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Is undercoating worthwhile?
Although it is advantageous for vehicle dealerships, corrosion protection is included into today’s automobiles, making this additional treatment unnecessary. Consumer Reports advises car purchasers to forego undercoating and a number of other costly add-ons, such as fabric protection, VIN etching, and extended warranties.
Why your car should never be undercoated?
Depending on the type and model of your car, this service applied at the dealer may cost up to $1,000. Some dealers offer it in an even more expensive service bundle. When you handle the task yourself, the price for automobiles can be less than $100 and for trucks and SUVs, it can be under $150.
Just be aware that using a DIY undercoat will result in a little bit of a mess.
It will Extend the Life & Value of your Vehicle.
A good undercoat helps your car last longer. The integrity of the metals in your car is not the only thing that is impacted by corrosion. It can enter your metal wires and cables and damage any steel or aluminum-based component. When a car undercoating isn’t applied, even your engine and transmission are susceptible to rust.
Undercoating Cons
A frequent repetition of the treatment is necessary for an undercoating to continue protecting your car. Most owners don’t need to worry about their underbelly being affected when a new coating is put each year. This is essential in situations that are salty or damaging. Waiting until you experience structural failure or fail a safety check is not advisable. Rust should be treated like any other vehicle maintenance issue.
How Long Does Undercoating Last?
The climate it is exposed to and how the RV is used will determine how long the undercoating is effective. For instance, the undercoating on a parked trailer may remain for years. Due to probable chipping from impacts on the frame, a motorhome or trailer that travels a lot may need reapplication sooner.
Why Undercoat Your RV
Due to the way they are built, RVs benefit from undercoating more than rust proofing. Recreational vehicles are constructed on top of an open rolling-chassis or trailer frame, unlike automobiles, which have sealed compartments and tubular frames. This frame can have undercoating applied to all exposed surfaces and is nearly totally accessible. It becomes simple to choose undercoating for a recreational vehicle because it offers defense against heat, stress, noise, and dampness and doesn’t require annual reapplication.
Undercoating voids the Toyota guarantee, right?
Although that may be asserted, it is false. Under no circumstances can a Krown undercoating protection void the car’s warranty. If a dealer informs you of this, be careful to have a written confirmation from them, as well as confirmation from the corporate headquarters. It probably wouldn’t hurt to get a written confirmation directly from the dealer. Most likely, the dealer is merely attempting to market to you their own goods at a discount.
Does the Toyota warranty cover rust?
Although Toyota cars are among the best-built, highest-quality vehicles on the market, problems can still occur in them. Toyota provides new car owners with a unique guarantee to cover any issues that arise with their cars soon after they purchase them. We’re showing you what is covered by the Toyota warranty because we want you to know that your car is in good hands here at Dan Cava’s Toyota World.
Even though the Toyota warranty has many different components, all of which are explained in your Warranty and Maintenance Guide, we’ll just discuss the major ones, such as the Basic Warranty, Powertrain Warranty, Emissions Warranty, and Corrosion Coverage.
What does my warranty cover?
The fundamental warranty provides assistance to owners who run into issues with Toyota-supplied components or workmanship within the first 36 months or 36,000 miles of ownership, whichever comes first. As long as the vehicle satisfies these criteria and the issue is caused by a Toyota part or craftsmanship, drivers will receive any required repairs on their car free of charge under the standard warranty.
This warranty also includes coverage for wheel balance and alignment, but only for the first 12 months or 12,000 miles.
The Powertrain Warranty will pay for repairs if your new Toyota’s engine develops issues. This covers a wide range of powertrain problems, including fixing the front hub and hearings as well as the timing belt and oil pump. Consult your Warranty and Maintenance Guide if you have a specific issue and want to know if your warranty will cover it.
This guarantee is valid for the first 60 months that you own your car or the first 60,000 miles that you drive your Toyota, whichever comes first.
The Toyota Corrosion coverage will take care of any corrosion or rust issues your car may have. Any original body panel replacement is permitted by this coverage. Regardless of mileage, the corrosion coverage is valid for the first 60 months of ownership.
Toyota will perform all required repairs on your vehicle if it fails to pass the relevant emissions standard in an EPA-approved emissions test and this failure results in a fine for the owner. The first two years or 24,000 miles after the vehicle’s put-in-service date are covered by this guarantee.
How long does undercoating a vehicle last?
Most owners don’t need to worry about their underbelly being compromised because they may have a new layer added in roughly 5 years. However, for the greatest benefits, you might need to have a fresh undercoating applied every three years in salty or damaging conditions.
What kind of underbody protection for cars is best?
It might be expensive to have undercoating professionally put to your car, but fortunately, you can do it yourself for a much lower cost if money is tight. Here are a few examples of the numerous undercoating varieties that are offered.
Rubberized Undercoating
Rubberized vehicle undercoating is simple to use, provides sound absorption, and guards against dirt, moisture, and dings or dents.
Rubberized undercoating is safe to use on your wheel wells and quarter panels in addition to your undercarriage. It cures to a soft rubbery surface that halts further rust, damage, or moisture seeps. It is possible to paint over the coating and, if necessary for bodywork, to remove it quickly and easily with an undercoating removal spray.
In general, rubberized coating is the finest option for safeguarding the underside of your automobile because it offers the easiest and most effective defenses against rust and moisture.
Polyurethane Undercoating
Utilizing a sealer with a polyurethane base is the alternate method for undercoating your car. It takes a little less time and effort to apply this kind of car undercoating.
Polyurethane undercoating frequently comes in canisters that may be preloaded into application guns. This kind of sealant functions by bonding with and shielding unoxidized metal by seeping into all seams and cracks, displacing moisture and salt, and oozing around rusty regions. It can also be painted over and sands easily in case bodywork is required.
On the other hand, this kind of automotive undercoating typically needs a little more surface preparation prior to application; it is typically advised to sand and apply an etching primer to bare metals.
Wax or Paraffin-Based Undercoatings
The simplest and least expensive method for safeguarding your vehicle’s underside is a paraffin-based undercoating. However, keep in mind that it must be stripped and reapply at least once each year because it will wear off more quickly than other kinds of undercoating.
Undercoatings made of wax never really harden. They leak or run into seams and cracks during application to offer protective qualities. They often come in an aerosol can or a spray gun canister and provide at least a basic level of protection in fairly humid climates.
Asphalt-Based Undercoating
Any of the aforementioned kinds of undercoating are adequate for protecting ordinary autos. Asphalt-based undercoating offers a little bit more resilience against pebbles, chips, and moisture for large trucks and heavy equipment.
Undercoating made of asphalt frequently includes a small amount of rubberized material that helps it set up firmly and reduce noise. This form of undercoating, which is often available in five gallon pails and has a longer cure period than the other three, is best used only for undercarriages because it cannot be painted.