Is undercoating worth it or not. I've heard that the manufacturers don't want undercoatings used on new vehicles because they do something similar when manufactured.

Also what about sealant. Does the paint not already have a clearcoat ? Is that not the same thing ?

 

From what I have read these services are pretty much a big rip off. I didn't pay for it... I will never.

 

I think it's a money grab and the dealers will almost try and guilt you into buying it. The factory does undercoat the car and clear coat the paint.

 

this is all those products provide.... new cars are all clear coated at the factory and all have some sort of undercoat for corrosion control

 

The paint sealant is a total waist of money, just a glorified wax job... The undercoating can be a good thing. In the old days cars were not "prepped" underneath. There was just painted/primered metal that easily chipped, then rusted. Today, most cars are undercoated with some form of chip/rust inhibitor. Many completely, the rest just around each wheel well area. Having a car undercoated today is added protection but also primarily for a "sound deadening" effect.

So,
Paint sealer - complete waist/dealer money making scheme
Undercoating - I always did this to my vehicles when I lived up north where salt, sand and gravel were used on the roads. It works. But, if your going to have it applied, don't have the dealer perform the job. My guess is they want around $400...? Many specialty shops will do a better job with better product for between $150-$200. Also, if you do go for it, make sure to point out that the rear wheel wells are lined with "fabric" (lack of better word), so special care should be taken to avoid most of that area....

Best of luck

Smitty

 

I ordered a 1988 Mustang LX 302CID in October, 1987 and received it 13 weeks, 3 days later in January, 1988. This was the first car I ever had without undercoating, the reason given was that undercoating was no longer used or recommended by car companys. So I left it alone. Six years later, I sold the car (a sad day indeed for me) and the underbody was solid with no visible rust or degradation of any kind.

I suspect the same service from my TL as well.

 

I found out that the "Touch of Class" that some dealers sell is really just an application of Klasse sealant/wax. I walked into a detailing/prep area at a Honda dealership and talked to the head detailer/prep guy for a few minutes. He showed me the tools he uses (rotaries, buffers, compound, etc) and also showed me what they used for the "Touch of Class" application. So yes, it's a big waste of cash!