Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site hound.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!floyd!vax135!ariel!hou5f!hou5e!hou5d!hogpc!houxm!hound!rwhw From: rwhw@hound.UUCP Newsgroups: net.auto Subject: Re: undercoating Message-ID: <249@hound.UUCP> Date: Mon, 25-Jul-83 09:19:14 EDT Article-I.D.: hound.249 Posted: Mon Jul 25 09:19:14 1983 Date-Received: Tue, 26-Jul-83 11:14:52 EDT References: <279@hou5h.UUCP> Organization: Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ Lines: 25 Undercoating is a great money maker for the people that provide it. Many car owners believe that it "protects" a car from rust. Perhaps to some degree it does. The greatest thing that undercoating does is to reduce the amount of road noise. The metal on the cars today has been coatd with a "zinc chromate" like paint to prevent rusting. The final coats are then applied. The drain holes in the quarter-panels and the wheel wells are closed by the undercoating causing moisture to be trapped there. This trapped moisture is what causes the body of a car to rot away. More attention should be given to the paint on the body itself. The first places that show signs of rust are around the edges (doors, trunk deck etc.) and under the body trim moldings. Rust will start with a "nick" in the paint so keep a small jar of your body paint for touching-up nicks and scratches. After the car is a year or so old the trim moldings should be removed and the paint surface under them should be touched-up. A good waxing a couple of times a year does wonders for the paint. Always have the car washed as soon as possible after being exposed to the chemicals put on the roads to melt ice and snow, making sure that you also rinse off the underside with fresh water. Save your money, keep the car clean and waxed yourself. Roy