FAQs
Got Questions?
We pride ourselves on providing clear, honest answers in an industry filled with different options and misinformation.
FAQs
Q Why would I want to undercoat my car or truck?
Rust eats brake lines, fuel tanks, control arms - and worst of all - your frame. The oxidation process (rusting) occurs whenever moisture and air are in contact with metal, no matter the time of year. Road treatments like salt, calcium chloride and magnesium chloride accelerate the oxidation, but it occurs year round. Undercoating saves you money on repair costs, reduces the risk of accidents from failed components and prolongs the life of your vehicle. Too many vehicles with plenty of life left in their engines and transmissions get taken off the road prematurely due to rusted-out frames—an absolute tragedy!
Q What do you use to undercoat?
WoolWax®, a premium wool-grease based undercoating that provides a thick, drip-free coating that never dries because it contains no solvents. Non-toxic, non-flammable, and environmentally friendly, it penetrates metals and existing rust to the base. Because of its thicker consistency, WoolWax® lasts longer and resists washout better than cheaper, thinner lanolin-oil or petroleum-oil-based alternatives. Gimmicks like rust remover or converter are not necessary, as WoolWax® excels at not only sticking to rust, but working it's way into all the tiny nooks and crannies that rust is composed of. It is a gel-like, corrosion inhibiting protective layer that blocks outside moisture and oxygen from reaching the metal and existing rust. Oxidation (the chemical reaction of rusting) stops entirely once moisture and oxygen cannot reach the metal/rust. Over time, adhering road dust gives it a stiffer outer layer that feels like wax to the touch, but it remains tacky underneath. Because it does not fully dry, it is self-healing - meaning if road debris kicks up and creates scratches, the product will "gel over" and repair itself. Wool-grease and lanolin coatings are applied to hundreds of thousands of vehicles every year for commercial fleets, municipalities, state government and private citizens alike. For more info about why WoolWax® is your best choice please visit our article: The Science of Rust
Q How often should my vehicle get undercoated?
The premium wool-grease product we apply is thick and resists washout very well. Over time, adhering road dust gives it a stiffer outer layer that feels like wax to the touch, but it remains tacky underneath. Because it does not fully dry, it is self-healing - meaning if road debris kicks up and creates scratches, the product will "gel over" and repair itself. The exposed areas of your undercarriage should be re-coated every 2 to 3 years on average based on climate and driving habits. There is a helpful, cumulative effect when you have additional coatings done. Thinner coatings, especially oil-based, typically need to be done every 8 to 12 months. Even having your vehicle undercoated just ONE time provides very meaningful protection... you may buy yourself that extra few years you needed!
Q Is this a permanent undercoating?
Q How does WoolWax® compare to Lanolin-oil or Petroleum-oil based undercoating?
Q What if my vehicle is already pretty rusty?
Q Should I undercoat my brand new vehicle?
If your goal is to keep the vehicle long-term, then stay one step ahead of the rust and undercoat it now! We occasionally see new vehicles with surface rust starting to form JUST from it's journey from the factory to the dealer!
Q How do you prep before undercoating?
We encourage customers to wash their undercarriage at your local car wash, or at home with a hose attachment. WoolWax® is a thick wool-grease material that displaces modest amounts of moisture and debris particles. Our techs quickly scrape off any large rust flakes so that the material penetrates deeply. We do not apply gimmicky converters, and do not perform deep descaling services as wool-grease penetrates deeply.
Q
Do you descale or sand-blast rust off?
Our techs scrape off any large rust flakes so that the undercoating penetrates deeply. WoolWax® excels at not only sticking to rust, but working it's way into all the tiny nooks and crannies that rust is composed of. It is a gel-like, corrosion inhibiting protective layer that blocks outside moisture and oxygen from reaching the metal and existing rust. Oxidation (the chemical reaction of rusting) stops entirely once moisture and oxygen cannot reach the metal/rust. Since WoolWax® does not contain solvents, it does not fully dry, so moisture and air can't get underneath it. We do not preform descaling or restorative services.
Q
Clear color vs. Black color - what’s the deal?
WoolWax® wool-grease undercoating is naturally a clear/tan color that turns dark grey/light black over a couple months as road dust sticks to it. For an additional fee, Black is available for a dark black appearance on visible components - popular for trucks & SUVs with more visible frames. Black is an additional fee due to added black pigment and extra application steps; it is applied only to components visible from the street, like the frame and axles. The rest of the underside is coated in clear color.
Q Does it make repair work difficult or messy?
Many of our customers are professional mechanics themselves. As road dust and debris lightly coat WoolWax, it forms a more firm outer layer that feels like wax to the touch - hence the name. It does not interfere with routine vehicle maintenance; in fact, it protects bolts and fasteners from rusting and seizing, making repairs easier.