A Ford truck showcased next to an Undercover Installers van in a residential setting, highlighting vehicle services.

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?

A

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. Salt, calcium chloride and magnesium chloride used to treat roads accelerates the oxidation, but it occurs year round. Undercoating will save you on repair costs, reduce the risk of accidents from failed components and prolong the life of your vehicle. Too many vehicles with lots of life left in the engine and transmission get taken off the road due to rusted-out frames. A tragedy!

Q What do you use to undercoat?

A

We use a premium Lanolin (sheep's wool grease) based product that provides a thick, drip-free coating that never dries because it contains no solvents. It penetrates metals and existing rust to the base. It is non-toxic, non-flammable and environmentally friendly. It has almost no smell. It lasts longer and resists washout better than cheaper petroleum-oil based undercoatings as it is thicker. Gimmicks like rust remover or converter are not necessary, as Lanolin does an incredible job 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 getting to metal and existing rust. Oxidation (the chemical reaction of rusting) stops entirely when moisture and oxygen cannot reach the metal and rust. 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. Lanolin is applied to hundreds of thousands of vehicles every year for commercial fleets, municipalities, state government and private citizens alike. For more info about why Lanolin is your best choice please visit our article: The Science of Rust

Q How often should my vehicle get undercoated?

A

The premium Lanolin product we apply is thick and resists washout very well. Because it does not dry, it is self-healing - meaning if road debris scrapes it, the product will "gel over" and repair itself. The exposed areas of your undercarriage should be undercoated every 24 months on average - depending on your goals for the vehicle, and your use of the vehicle. There is a helpful, cumulative effect when you have additional coatings done. Thinner, especially oil-based coatings, 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?

A
No. We apply a premium Lanolin (sheep's wool grease) based product that we feel is superior to so called "permanent" and "hybrid" solutions that cost 3 to 6 times more. We heat our product, and it goes on wet like a thick gel. Because it does not contain solvents, it does not fully dry, and nothing can get trapped underneath it. It is thick and resists washout incredibly well. It can even be rinsed with a garden hose to wash dirt or road debris off. While many rubberized, hybrid, wax and "dry" undercoatings create a hard and water-proof shell initially, they almost always crack or peel after years of debris, vibration, temperature & humidity fluctuation, and just general aging... allowing moisture and air underneath. We believe the performance of routine Lanolin applications to be far superior to covering up rust with an expensive "permanent" solution that, well... may not be so permanent! Especially for vehicles with any initial signs of rust.

Q How does Lanolin compare to Oil-Based undercoating?

A
Lanolin undercoating, specifically the premium blend that we apply, is thicker - it lasts longer and resists washout better than oil-based undercoatings. Our undercoating should be applied every 24 months on average - depending on driving habits and your goals for the vehicle. Oil-based undercoating material costs slightly less, but it should be applied every 6 to 8 months. Some folks report oil-based undercoatings washing out within a matter of weeks.

Q What if my vehicle is already pretty rusty?

A
The product we apply does not just "cover up" rust. It is a thick, wet, corrosion inhibiting protective layer that works it's way deep into all the tiny nooks and crannies of rust, and blocks outside moisture and oxygen from getting to the metal (or rusty metal). Rust can only form when iron, oxygen and water are present. So undercoating a rusty vehicle with our premium Lanolin every 24 months on average is the best way to stop or slow further rusting. To see why this is superior to "permanent" options, see our FAQ on that further above!

Q Should I undercoat my brand new vehicle?

A

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?

A

We encourage customers to wash their undercarriage at your local car wash, or at home with a hose attachment. Lanolin is a thick material and can displace moisture and debris particles. Our techs quickly scrape off any large rust flakes that might block our spraying from reaching surfaces. We do not apply gimmicky converters, and do not perform deep descaling services.

Q Do you descale or sand-blast rust off?

A

Our techs quickly scrape off any large rust flakes that might block our spraying from reaching surfaces. Our premium Lanolin product is designed to penetrate rust, and block out moisture and oxygen. Without moisture and air, oxidation (the chemical process of rusting) cannot continue. Since Lanolin is thick and does not dry (it does not contain solvents), moisture and air can't get underneath it. We do not preform descaling or restorative services.

Q What color is the undercoating?

A

We exclusively spray amber colored Lanolin product that is semi-transparent when applied. As dust and debris sticks to it over the first several weeks, it will turn a dark gray/black.

Q Do you offer a warranty?

A
We apply a non-drying protective coating (Lanolin) formulated to help reduce corrosion caused by environmental exposure. Non-drying undercoatings are a maintenance program intended for annual or biannual reapplication; these coatings can naturally wear down in places over time due to road and weather conditions. Unlike expensive "permanent" undercoatings, which can trap moisture and conceal corrosion beneath a rigid layer, lanolin-based solution remains flexible, allowing it to self-heal small blemishes and be inspected or reapplied as needed. While no product can fully prevent rust, our process offers adaptable, cost-effective, ongoing protection with a limited warranty covering product quality and application at the time of service.