A question for those of you in the "Salt Belt".

Have you or anyone you know had had their vehicle undercoated/rustproofed? Ziebart does it, but many other lesser known companies also offer it. I'm not referring to the old electronic method-scam. I'm referring to the method in which they spray your undercarriage with a tar-like resin. It's also termed "rubberized undercoating".

Ok, so if you've had it done (or know someone who has), what have been your (or their) results after at least one winter?

Consumer Reports found that rustproofing makes your car MORE LIKELY TO RUST. The reason being that the holes they drill allow an entry point for the salt.

Agree with Donutboy - it's a waste of money. Years ago it might have been worth, but now auto manufactures rust proof their cars pretty well in the factory. If an unauthorized person applies it it can void your manufactures corrosion warranty. I live in NY, have never had it applied to any car purchased - new or used, and have never wished I had.

Toyota is finished!!

The Only one that ever worked was called Rusty Jones and i think they are gone. A Clear coat would burn off. Best bet wash the undercarriage frequently..

thanks guys.

If I do it, I am opting out of the procedure where they drill holes in the doors, even if they say it is included in the price. That would void the manufacturer warranty, correct. I only want the undercarriage done. I also read that undercoating it only works on brand new vehicles.

OK, so I figured out "rustproofing" refers to the drilling holes in parts of the car and applying sprayed sealant.

"Undercoating" is obviously just like it sounds.

Well I will say this my GMC 2500 HD Sierra was Ziebarted when it was new in 2000, and there is not one spot of rust on it. I love in IL and the truck has always been in IL, so I would have to say it works.

Confusing Cause and Effect is a fallacy that has the following general form:

1. A and B regularly occur together.

2. It then follows that A is the cause of B.

wikipedia

If you're going to have it done, have it done by a reputable vendor. The stuff they spray on can actually fill function specific drains holes that are in the frame to allow the water to drain from certain collection points. If those holes get filled, it defeats the purpose and will actually make the problem worse.

#5 The one time I'm in agreement with jack this year. Don't worry, folks. Next one won't be until 2011.

BTW, you could consider moving to the left coast. I don't think anyone salts the roads out here. Sand, yes, and that makes vehicles dirty, but not salt. Seattle has reportedly planned to do so in the future, after an ugly 2008 winter. Lots of steep hills in parts of Seattle, and the answer to the far-worse-than-usual snowfall was a giant clusterfark. However, no word that anyone plans to use salt on the roads outside of the Big City.

:)P~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Had one vehicle rustproofed by Ziebart. The rustproofing clogged the drain holes which kept water in the channels which caused rusting. The entrance holes they drilled caused rust. The undercoating eas sprayed on my oil pan, rust started on the pan under the rustproofing which caused my oil pan to leak. Replacing the oil pan cost almost 1000.00 due to having to remove the trans, lifting the engine due to having to remove a cross member to replace the pan. Don't waste your time or money. It's not included, tell them you want that cost removed from your vehicle purchase. Don't waste your money on clear coats or seat upholstery sealer either.

# 12 Wow, I'm sorry to hear that. But thank you for sharing your story. I'm now convinced it isn't worth the risk of having it work in reverse due to possible plugging of drainage holes.

I appreciate the advice everyone.

A friend of mine got his car undercoated. Ten years later, diabetes.

It aint worth it man, it aint worth it.

One additional point: undercoating adds a significant amount of weight to the vehicle. So, you end up losing gas mileage as well.