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Undercarriage maintenance / Anti-corrosion protection
The car manufacturer doesn't always ensure proper undercarriage protection against rust. However, this is a serious mistake. The undercarriage is particularly vulnerable to damage and constantly exposed to adverse weather conditions. As a result, even minor points of damage can lead to the formation of rust spots, which quickly spread. Removing corrosion traces can be costly, while leaving them poses a safety risk. Therefore, the best solution is undercarriage maintenance to prevent damages. Below, we also describe the step-by-step process of undercarriage maintenance.
Tips
Using a bituminous substance for undercarriage protection eliminates the possibility of rust formation on this element
Properly protecting closed profiles is crucial. Adequate maintenance in this area ensures that the vehicle owner does not need to worry about rust on sills, doors, trunk lid, and hood
The service for undercarriage maintenance also includes protective coatings on the exhaust system
The purpose of undercarriage maintenance is to protect against rust. Although the procedure incurs a cost, it is ultimately cost-effective. It is better to prevent than to cure, as removing rust from the undercarriage can be expensive, costing thousands of złoty
Properly protecting the car against rust also involves regularly inspecting the condition of the protective coating. This should be repeated approximately every 2 to 3 years
The undercarriage maintenance process takes about 2 to 3 hours. The duration depends on the size of the vehicle. After applying the undercarriage treatment, it is necessary to wait for up to 12 hours for it to dry. Only after this time can the vehicle return to normal operation
While performing the procedure, the driver should be aware of losing the factory warranty against perforation. However, the actual protective layer provides better protection against costs than a written assurance from the car manufacturer for potential problems
Scope of services
Preparation of the car's undercarriage for applying the anti-corrosion layer, including cleaning it with professional chemicals and a pressure washer
Applying the bituminous protection to the car's undercarriage using a professional spray gun. Alternatively, a spray application may also be used
Protecting closed profiles within the vehicle (such as sills, fenders, doors, rails, trunk lid, and hood), as well as exhaust system maintenance
The wide range of services often includes thorough car body washing after the undercarriage maintenance procedure
As part of the service, the driver receives a workshop warranty for the performed service
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Check out our workshops that offer the service undercarriage maintenance / anti-corrosion protection in some of the biggest cities in your country
Additional info about the service
Why is the car undercarriage susceptible to corrosion?
The car's undercarriage is particularly exposed to corrosion processes. Firstly, it is not coated with paint, and factory anti-corrosion protection may prove insufficient after several years of use. The metal is directly exposed to factors such as water and salt spread on the roads in winter. However, contact with water occurs not only during rainfall but also through the humidity present in the air.
Secondly, the lack of undercarriage protection is also significant due to damage. Sometimes, the formation of a point scratch will result from careless crossing over a sewer manhole or other obstacle, while other times, a stone impact caused by airflow. Damaging particles from dust (containing sand particles) encountered during driving are also dangerous. Over the years, accumulated damages make it easier for corrosion to penetrate the vehicle's floor, resulting in more significant damage and higher costs for repairs.
What does the undercarriage maintenance process entail?
Undercarriage maintenance for a vehicle consists of several stages. In the first and most important step, the car floor must be thoroughly cleaned. Not only dirt and sand but also winter residues from road salt need to be removed. This requires the use of dedicated chemicals, a pressure washer, and a brush. In the next step, the undercarriage needs to be dried. Then, a corrosion protection substance can be applied to the prepared surface. In most cases, this substance is based on bitumen.
The anti-corrosion substance is applied to the undercarriage using one of three methods. It can be applied with a dedicated spray gun, spray application, or simply with a brush. The first two methods will result in a characteristic "honeycomb" structure on the elements. The last step involves protecting hard-to-reach closed profiles. Access to their interior is gained through technical openings.
At this point, it is essential to make a certain restriction. To obtain better access to the car, having a pit in the garage is helpful. A workshop lamp will also be useful in this case. Alternatively, a car lift can be used, but "jack stands" should be used to prevent the car from rolling and ensure a higher level of work safety.
How long does the vehicle undercarriage maintenance take? The substance also needs time to dry.
The application of the protective coating takes the professional about 2 to 3 hours, depending on the size of the vehicle. However, DIY maintenance performed by the owner will certainly extend this time. Additionally, a few more minutes are needed for car washing. Moreover, the workshop visit duration is extended by the fact that the vehicle needs to be left to dry for about 12 hours. This will somewhat harden the flexible protective layer. The car can be collected from the workshop only after approximately a day.
How much does professional undercarriage protection against corrosion cost? Is the maintenance process worth it?
DIY maintenance costs about 300 to 400 złoty. This includes the cost of the products available on the market and necessary for undercarriage washing and the procedure itself. Assigning the anti-corrosion layer application to a professional workshop costs between 800 to 1200 złoty. The final price largely depends on the size of the car. While undercarriage maintenance at a workshop may be more expensive, the extra cost ensures that the car owner does not require specific knowledge, a dry, and spacious garage. Furthermore, the owner can be sure that the protective substance will be applied correctly, thus effectively safeguarding the lower part of the car's body.
Undercarriage maintenance is certainly not a cheap service. However, in this case, savings make little sense. Car owners should follow one principle: prevention is better than cure! A thousand złoty spent on undercarriage maintenance substance is an amount that would not even cover the repair of a threshold in a modern car. After all, the maintenance also protects the entire floor, exhaust system, and closed profiles.
How often should you inspect the undercarriage maintenance substance?
Properly applied anti-corrosion protection creates a very durable layer. Nevertheless, it needs to be checked from time to time. Workshops recommend having the condition of the undercarriage maintenance substance inspected approximately every 2 to 3 years. With this set interval of control, the mechanic can replenish any deficiencies in the protective layer before they initiate rust formation.
Why might the maintenance require touch-ups over time?
The substance may degrade, especially in vehicles operating in heavily dusty or humid environments. Additionally, although it is flexible, the protective layer may suffer mechanical damage over time.