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 oil) product that provides a thick, drip-free coating that never dries because it contains no solvents. It penetrates metals 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. It is not a rust remover or converter, but it does an incredible job sticking to rust and working it's way into all the tiny nooks and crannies that rust is composed of. It is a thick, wet, corrosion inhibiting protective layer that blocks outside moisture and oxygen from getting to your metal undercarriage (or rusty metal undercarriage!). Because it does not dry, it is self-healing - meaning if road debris kicks up and creates modest scratches, the product will "gel over" and repair itself.

Q How often should my vehicle get undercoated?

A

The premium 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. It can last years. There is a helpful, cumulative effect when you have your 2nd, 3rd and additional coatings done. The exposed areas of your undercarriage should be undercoated every 12 to 24 months depending on your goals for the vehicle, and your use of the vehicle. But 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 oil) based product that we feel is superior to so called "permanent" solutions that cost 3 to 6 times more. Our product goes on wet, and stays wet. It cannot dry or evaporate because it does not contain solvents. It is thick and resists washout very well. It can even be rinsed with a garden hose to wash dirt or road debris off. While many permanent or "dry" undercoatings create a hard and water-proof shell initially, they often crack or peel after years of debris, vibration, seasonal temperature/humidity change and routine driving. As for vehicles with existing rust, we believe the characteristics of wet Lanolin applications to be far superior to covering up rust with an expensive "permanent" solution that, well, may not be so permanent...

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. Lanolin undercoatings should be applied every 12 to 24 months depending on driving habits and your goals for the vehicle. Oil-based undercoating material costs less, and it should be applied every 6 to 8 months.

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 annually is the best way to stop or slow further rusting.

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 converters, and do not perform 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. It is thick and does not dry since it does not contain solvents. 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. This allows you and your mechanic to see important underlying components and the condition of them, which we believe is very important.

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.