As the title states, looking into getting this for my new RDX. Wondering though, if the car is garage kept, is it really worth doing? What would be a good price for this? Local place is asking for $499.

 

I’m no expert, but I don’t think it’s really worth it or necessary. Just make sure you wash the vehicle and undercarriage often.

Also, instead of dropping that kind of money for undercoating, I’d spend it on some ceramic coating for the paint.

Just my opinion…

 

If the car is garaged, no. If the car is not garaged, if it is washed when temps are above freezing and the undercarriage is also washed, again, no.

otherwise, no.

 

So, in other words, no, no no???

 

There were some terrible vehicles made in the 1970's where seats would fall through rusted out floors or suspension parts would actually fall off due to rusted mounts, etc. Some Nissan Z 260's were actually bought back by Nissan due to extreme rusting.. Some Ford Econoline vans had the steering gear box fall off do to rust inside the frame. The list goes on and on. Needless to say the Feds (and lawyers) got involved and car makers cleaned up their acts and got serious about better rust proofing procedures. Now vehicles are required to have a rust though warranty so the car makers do a far better job with coating and sealing the vehicles.

I would never waste my money having a vehicle "under coated" when it will likely do more harm than good. Some dealers push undercoating saying it will make the car quieter. Don't fall for it, its a weak claim at best and could likely pull away from the bottom of the car and allow water to get trapped inside making a good car rust.

 

Already in the process! Attached are pics my detailer just sent me, he's using ceramic pro silver package.

 

All of you make a good point, decided to skip the undercoating!

 

Those are the words.

 

 

car could rust faster when garaged under some conditions. Like if its salt and freezing, every time you are in garage it freezes and melts, but outside its always frozen.

 

Some of you may remember -

 

Check out a product called Fluid Film. It does a great job and is way less expensive.

 

I can't agree with your logic. The temperature can rise and fall outside too. That's what weather does.

I had a Subaru that came with a dealer-added undercoat. Parts of it separated from the surfaces, moisture got trapped behind it and caused corrosion. Never again. I wouldn't want it if it were free.

 

Those rusty jones guys would put that crap right over the rust! Too funny when the rust ate through and there was nothing left under the car but their crap. It's no wonder they, and the other Armor-something (I forget) went away like the slide rule

 

Only other company I remember was Ziebart but they are still in business and offer a lot of other services.

 

This is what I mentioned, we saw a LOT of that over the years.

 

Some Toyota’s had issues with undercarriage rot as recently as 2010.

 

if you live in places such that in winter it generally stays below freezing outside, but in your garage its above freezing. In this case, salt and water mix will constantly freeze and melt if you are a daily driver. Freeze and unfreeze cycle with salt will cause more rust vs just always frozen. Look it up, its a known info.

 

This is just a general statement to add to this thread: OP is asking about undercoating which is significantly different than rustproofing.

I am an advocate of rustproofing but not undercoating. Rustproofing (in salt prone regions) will greatly prolong the formation of rust. My recommendation is Krown first and Rust Check second (in Canada anyway). I periodically spot spray between dealer applications (which I have done every 2 or 3 years).

Undercoating can promote rust as it is a sprayed application of a wax or rubber-based composite onto the entire underside of the vehicle. It’s designed to create a rust-proof layer between the underside of the vehicle and the water, ice, and salt of the road. Problem is when it can trap this ice, salt and water under the coating as it cracks and peels over time and actually accelerate the rust process.