Underbody coatings are a type of coating that is applied to the underside of a vehicle to protect it from rust and corrosion and are based on many materials such as bitumen. This underbody coating makes your exceptionally car resistant and protects not only from dust and moisture but also from some other factors, such as poor road conditions, rocks being thrown from tires and denting the metal, and salt from water during the monsoon, all of which play a significant role in causing damage to a car's undercarriage. Coating procedure for today's modern automobiles: The current coating for automobiles comprises the following five steps: The removal and cleaning of any surplus metal, as well as the formation of an adequate surface structure that enables the bonding of a corrosion protection layer, are both included in the pre-treatment process. The following stage is called electrodeposition (ED), and it is used to create a layer that prevents rust or corrosion. The application of a sealer such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) helps prevent corrosion, stops water leaks, reduces chipping, and quiets vibrating sounds. The next step is to apply a primer, which not only helps the surface adhere to the base coat but also makes the following coats' surfaces smoother and protects them from chipping. The next step is the application of the topcoats, which consist of a basecoat and a clear coat. These coatings give the surface with desirable characteristics, such as color, look, gloss, smoothness, and resistance to the elements. Pre-treatment: The pre-treatment process is the very first stage in getting BIW ready for the coating that will come later. Degreasing, conditioning, and phosphating are the three principal liquid dip procedures that makeup pre-treatment. They are used to clean the body surface in order to get rid of any leftover oils from the stamping process as well as any welding residues. The degreasing solution is made up of alkaline salts and surfactants, and it may contain caustic soda, tri-sodium phosphate, and sodium carbonate, among other potential ingredients. On the BIW, surfactants are different kinds of detergents that are used to emulsify oils and lubricants. Electrode position (ED): Automobiles have a coating applied to the metal underbody and frames to prevent corrosion; however, other parts of the vehicle, such as the roof, do not have this coating. Prior to the application of any additional coatings, the structural metals (or other materials) are primed in cases where they are not coated to avoid corrosion. The ED processes are altered in accordance with the BIW material's characteristics. Protection against rust and corrosion is provided by this ED coating. Materials that are resistant to rust: sealer and PVC PVC and urethane are utilized in the underbody coating (UBC) and seam sealing processes of the third stage. The sealant is put around and inside the doors, hood, trunk, and front dash, as well as onto the exterior and inside of metal joints and the outer area of the back wheel well. Additionally, the sealant is applied onto the exterior of the metal joints. Primer: The application of a primer surface, also referred to simply as priming, is the fourth and last phase in the coating process. It may exist in a powder form, be water-borne or solvent-borne, or both. In order to achieve better adhesion between the E-coat and the topcoat, these primers are utilized. Additionally, they offer protection against chipping, improve the appearance of the paint, and are environmentally consistent with emission requirements. Top-coat: The application of the topcoat, which consists of two layers and is comprised of a basecoat and a clear coat, is the final stage in the process of covering the body. The core coloring pigment is included in the basecoat, and the clear coat serves as a protective covering against environmental effects, corrosion, and UV radiation degradation. Additionally, the clear coat supports unparalleled color retention and offers a smooth, immaculate, even finish. DIFFERENT Varieties OF UNDERBODY COATING Rubberized underbody coating: These coatings are simple to apply and offer protection against dust, moisture, and dents in addition to providing sound dampening properties. Even the wheel wells and quarter panels may be coated with the coatings safely, and once they have dried, they provide a finish that is similar to soft rubber and inhibits additional rust and moisture seepage. Underbody covering made of polyurethane: The application of this sort of undercoating can be completed in a shorter amount of time and with less difficulty. Undercoating of this kind often arrives in a canister that is all set to be preloaded into an application gun. Before applying this kind of undercoating, surface preparation is always necessary. Wax or paraffin-based underbody coating: Undercoating that is made of wax or paraffin will be the one that is both the quickest and the least expensive of those that are available on the market. However, the durability of these coatings is limited to a single year. Bitumen-based underbody coating: The undercoating described earlier sees the majority of its application on light commercial vehicles. In order to provide enough protection against rock chips and moisture, undercoating made of bitumen is typically applied to motor vehicles such as trucks, buses, and vans, among others. A little amount of rubberized material helps these bitumen-based under coatings build up firmly, and this substance also contributes to a reduction in the amount of noise they produce. Overall advantages of using an underbody coating are as follows:
- Reduces noise: It reduces the amount of noise that comes from underneath the vehicle.
- Insulation from the heat: it protects the cabin of the automobile from the high temperature that is generated by the underside of the vehicle.
- The coating has anti-chipping properties, meaning that it does not flake off when it is struck by stones.
So far, bitumen-based undercoatings have been among the top quality materials used for this means. For more information on bitumen and other bituminous materials, feel free to contact us. Our professional sales executives are ready to guide you through the way and give you all the necessary data and information.