Why auto undercoating is making a comeback -- even in Florida

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For some, automotive undercoating may seem like a relic from the old days. After all, didn’t Grampa have his new Packard undercoated when he bought it back in 1954? Yes, he probably did, and with good reason.

Back then, dealerships and repair shops in northern states promoted undercoating as necessary protection against road salt and harsh winter weather conditions. Cars with undercoating tended to rust more slowly than cars without. But then, vehicle manufacturing improved, and carmakers started using more rust-resistant materials.

When that happened, undercoating gradually faded away. Today, however, undercoating is coming back into favor, and not just in the northern states. Sales and installations of quality, modern undercoating products are on the rise in such warmer states as Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and the Carolinas.

While that may at first seem to be illogical, there are very good reasons for that upsurge. Vehicle undersides are vulnerable Today, vehicles are engineered to withstand years of exposure to the elements. Even so, the underside of a vehicle is its most vulnerable area.

There is a long list of vulnerable components under there -- the frame, suspension parts, brake lines, fuel lines, the exhaust system, electrical connectors, and all sorts of mounting hardware. All of those things are of critical importance. And all of them are under attack from water, sand, road debris, and chemicals.

Those things can lead to corrosion, and even minor corrosion can lead to costly repairs and reduced vehicle value. The growing popularity of trucks, SUVs, Jeeps, and recreational vehicles has also contributed to renewed interest in undercarriage protection. Such vehicles are often used for boating, camping, off-roading, and other outdoor activities that expose them to harsh conditions.

It’s bad in the Sunshine State It’s easy to assume that corrosion isn’t a big problem in Florida. After all, it’s the Sunshine State, right? There’s no snow, so that means there’s no road salt, right?

No road salt means no undercarriage corrosion. Right? Right?

Wrong. In Florida, corrosion is more likely to come from saltwater exposure. Thousands of Florida residents use their vehicles to launch boats, jet skis, kayaks and other watercraft.

Every time a vehicle backs down a boat ramp, its undercarriage is exposed to moisture. Often, that comes in the form of saltwater. And saltwater is VERY corrosive.

Even brief exposure can leave salt deposits behind. And those deposits will continue to attack unprotected metal surfaces long after the vehicle leaves the ramp. If you own a boat or other watercraft and you enjoy it frequently, then you know your vehicle makes a number of visits to the boat ramp several times per year.

Another Florida-related problem is the state’s high humidity. That means that moisture will linger on metal surfaces, and that accelerates oxidation and corrosion. Combine humidity with salt residue, and you have a recipe for serious corrosion damage.

More than a single benefit Modern undercoating products serve more than a single purpose. They protect your vehicle’s underside from: Saltwater and salt spray Sand and road grit Mud and standing water Stone chips and road debris Chemical contaminants Excess moisture Some undercoating products also provide sound-deadening benefits. Truck owners, especially, report sound deadening as a significant, and often unexpected, benefit to undercoating.

Long-term value Modern cars and trucks cost considerably more than they did just a few years ago. Because of that, people are hanging on to their vehicles longer (the average age of a car or truck on the road today is 12 years). Because people don’t replace their rides as frequently as they once did, they are more interested than ever in finding ways to preserve them.

Corrosion on body panels can hurt resale value, but corrosion underneath can be even more damaging. Rusted suspension components, corroded brake lines, or deteriorating frame sections can lead to expensive repairs and “unsalability.” Undercoating is an important strategy for preserving the condition of your car or truck. A smart choice Undercoating is no longer just a "northern" service.

Boat owners, anglers, paddleboard enthusiasts, and anyone who frequently visits beaches or waterfront areas expose their vehicles to conditions that can accelerate undercarriage deterioration. A professionally applied undercoating provides an additional layer of defense against these threats. At CoaterZ, highly trained technicians carefully install the highest-quality undercoating materials with specially-designed application equipment.

You will be delighted with the result. Your car or truck will be delighted, as well. -0- CoaterZ offers the highest-quality bedliners, applied by highly-trained and experienced technicians.

Three locations to serve you: 2824 Alt19 16235 N Florida Ave 2321 Bee Ridge Rd. Palm Harbor, FL 34683 Lutz, FL 33549 Sarasota, FL 34239 727-935-4621 (813) 467-8149 (941) 297-0125 www.CoaterZ.com https://coaterz.com/lutz/ www.Coaterz.com/Sarasota/ -