Time To Become Proactive With Rust! Get The Best Undercoating For Trucks
The underside of your truck is exposed to a number of elements that accelerate the corrosion of its metal components on a daily basis. Salts, calcium, dirt and sodium chloride are just few of the inevitable substances that embed themselves on your vehicle and slowly eat away at its structure. To extend the life expectancy of you truck, this issue shouldn’t be ignored, and the only way to tackle it is by using the best undercoating for trucks available to you.
1- Fluid Film 1 Gallon Can Anti Corrosion Anti Rust Coating
[Editor’s Choice]
The Fluid film comes in a large 1 gallon container. It is a rust preventive lubricant that can be used on the undercarriage of any type of vehicle. It can be applied using a paint brush or a spray gun.
It is advertised as being solvent-free, meaning the undercoating consists of a natural lanolin base, ensuring that it will not wear off or evaporate and providing protection from rust and erosion for a long time. Once applied, the undercoating forms a thick layer that is embedded into the metal, and despite remaining wet, it doesn’t drip or sag.
Applying the coating can be a bit tricky and is better left to a professional. The manufacturer recommends that the process should be done every 8 to 12 months in an authorized Fluid Film applicator. If you’re confident with undercoating your vehicle yourself, go right ahead, but otherwise we’d recommend one of the spray-on undercoats we’ve reviewed below.
One thing to watch out for after applying Fluid Film is repeated exposure to water. While the undercoating can handle low pressure contact with water, high-pressure wash on the underside of the truck can effectively wash off the layer.
2- 3M 03584 Professional Grade Rubberized Undercoating
The 3M 03584 Professional Grade Rubberized Undercoating is a cheap and simple to use 16 oz aerosol can. Its use is not limited to trucks as it can be applied to cars and recreational vehicles and requires no extra equipment or technical prerequisites in order to use.
The black protective coating that it produces is thick and consistent and can resist an array of eroding factors ranging from chipping and abrasion to rusting and weathering. Once sprayed, a uniform layer will build up and the underside of your truck will be sealed from the effects of the dirt and moisture that tends to build up under vehicles. The coating is firm enough that no dripping occurs after it is applied.
Besides its main use as protective coating for your truck, it provides fairly potent soundproofing by isolating the cabin from the noise that emanates from the engine and the outside. But keep in mind that this option would be more noticeable and effective when applied to cars rather than trucks.
To safely apply the coating, make sure to wear gloves and a protective mask. While rubberized undercoating isn’t classified as toxic or hazardous, it is very tough to remove once it gets on your skin and you’re better served not inhaling any type of chemicals.
3- Rust-Oleum 248657 Automotive 15-Ounce Under Coat Spray, Rubberized Black
The Rust-Oleum 248657 is the entry-level spray can variant of the professional grade version reviewed in this list. It comes in a standard 15 ounce can with minimalistic design and is elementary in its use. It is by far the most affordable undercoating option in the market, costing a third of what the next cheapest option sells for.
This product, as its price suggests, is far from being top quality, but you’re still getting more than what you paid for. While the rubberized coating doesn’t form as thick of a layer as you’d get from some of the better products in this list, it still spreads well and does an adequate job of sealing moisture and rust from the undercarriage of your truck. Two to three layers of coast must be applied in order to get the best result.
The main drawback of this product is the fact that the coating takes too long to dry up. It can be quite unpractical if you’re driving your truck in rough and dusty terrains as it could easily wear off.
4- Oem Approved Brushable Asphalt-Bitumen Base Undercoating
The Oem Approved Brushable Asphalt-Bitumen Base Undercoating comes in a 1 gallon container and has a tar like texture. This brushable undercoating is basically odorless when dry and economical to use. On top of its effectiveness in protecting from corrosion, it also provides sound insulation.
Before appliance, the surface has to be prepared by cleaning areas with built up dust and any loose paint must be removed. The manufacturer instructs the user to strenuously mix the brushable undercoating for 3 to 5 minutes.
It is recommended to apply up to 3 layers to get full coverage. The thickness of the coat contributes in making this a tiring process. A paint brush is the preferred method of appliance since the thickness of the coating would make the use of a spray gun difficult if not impossible.
After appliance, it quickly dries up to form a thick and solid layer that is able to handle cold weather and exposure to the corrosive effects of various elements that your truck is frequently exposed to.
5- Noxudol 900 Undercoating – Aerosol
The Noxudol 900 is packaged in an archetypal aerosol spray can. It is one of the cheapest options in this list and is easy to apply on any type of vehicle from small cars to large trucks. Its use can also be extended to long time storing of industrial products such as untreated steel surfaces and various machines.
It has the distinction of being low solvent, a characteristic not found in any similarly priced product, and an important aspect in extending the usefulness of the undercoating since the components of the coat remain embedded to the metal for an indefinite amount of time.
2 to 3 coats are necessary in order to obtain a thick and well spread layer. It takes a full day to dry but remains sticky and tends to collect a lot of dirt if the vehicle is driven on an unpaved road.
On the other hand, it is very potent water repellent and manages to retain its texture and thickness even after being exposed to powerful water washing.
6- Zenex Undercoat Premium Rubberized Undercoating
The Zenex undercoat premium is relatively pricey and comes in a sleekly designed 20 ounce aerosol spray can. It is for use on Trucks, cars, trailers, and farm & construction equipment.
On top of its rust proofing function; The Zenex also provides impressive sound deadening, allowing for a quieter and less stressful drive.
After applying the undercoating on a dry and clean surface, it will dry after several hours and form a hardy, firm, and rubbery layer that is water proof, capable of enduring chipping and cracking, and predisposed to lasting very long due to the low solvent components of the coat.
The manufacturer guarantees its long lasting effect and claims that the coat doesn’t peel off with age.
The water repellency means that you will never have to worry about the coat wearing off due to exposing the underside of your truck to a high pressure wash.
7- TCP Global Brand Pneumatic Air Undercoating Gun
The TCP Global Brand Pneumatic Air Undercoating gun is a robust aluminum spray that has can be used to apply coating to the underside of your truck as well as chip guards, bed liners, and various other appliances that require coating.
The gun is light despite its solid die-cast aluminum alloy build and is easy to maneuver. It is sturdy and can handle moderate impact with little damage to the body. While it can handle pressure up to 120 PSI, the recommended pressure for an undercoating job is 56-100 PSI.
The method of usage is simple and requires no extra adjustment. You simply pour the fluid in the cup before placing the head on top. While the manufacturer advertises this item as very precise, we noticed that the spray pattern can be a little bit wider than expected. It is advisable to cover your vehicle’s exhaust system to prevent contact from the coating.
Maintaining the gun doesn’t require any work and revolves mostly around cleaning if after usage and not letting fluid residue build up. Make sure to buy the appropriate solvent for cleaning undercoating fluid and run it through the device at least two times.
What Aspects Should You Consider When You’re Looking For The Best Undercoating For Trucks?
Before deciding to rustproof your truck, you need to have a baseline understanding of what constitutes a great undercoating product. Always look for the following characteristics:
Viscosity
A primordial aspect that should always be taken into consideration is the thickness of the coating. If it is too thin, then you will have to the face the inconvenience of having to apply extra layers, and it probably won’t be effective in protecting your vehicle from rust.
Conversely, you run the risk of causing severe damage to the underside of your truck if the coating is too thick. As a result, you should always opt for products with medium thickness.
Consistency
Since the underside of your truck is often exposed to dirt and other eroding elements, the coating layer has to be firm enough to withstand it. It also has to be water proof to some extent to avoid the inconvenience of having to constantly prevent the coat from eroding when you’re washing your truck.
Simplicity
Since you’re taking a do it yourself approach to undercoating your truck, you need to have a full grasp of the process and the different variables it is impacted by, mainly the manner of how it is used and the drying time.
Look for the product with the most straightforward and intuitive method of application such as those that are applied with an aerosol, and avoid any coating process that requires some professional know-how.
Price
It should be reasonably priced enough to deter you from resorting to hard-shell undercoating.
If you choose the right product then the process is fairly simple and you should be able to do it yourself. The Amazon customer review section is a good a place to find detailed descriptions of how the coat is applied, and the top review often has pictures that walk you through it step by step. If you still don’t trust your ability to do it you can always take your truck to a repair shop.
Dealing with something smaller? You might also like our reviews on clear coats for cars.
Resources
[1] youtube.com/watch?v=gPCR5sxa1k0
[2] yourmechanic.com/article/is-rustproofing-undercoating-worth-it-by-cheryl-knight
[3] ehow.com/facts_5006661_what-car-undercoating.html