Undercoating

Does anyone have any experience with the “ValuGard” undercoating sold at some Line-X dealers? And if so any negative experiences and can recommend something better? Looking for something set-and-forget.

 

Hey just following up on this - did you get it done on your truck? I am considering the same undercoating.

 

No. Fluid Film instead.

 

Cosmoline

 

https://youtu.be/nXvl9nt57Kg?si=l9bKKS5U9FvlLv0h

this is a perfect example of what hard undercoatings will do

 

I never did, seemed kind of gimmicky. I’m just going to use wool wax or fluid film.

 

A thorough rustproofing and undercoating is not cheap and takes about 3-4 days. I have had this done on several T4Rs.

They remove all wheels, including spare, exhausts, heat shields, running boards, skid plates etc. Then they thoroughly clean, wire brushing if necessary, any areas that need it. Then spray on undercoating, let it dry for 24 hrs. Then spray a rustproofing on all areas that can’t be undercoated, including inside the frame rails. Let it dry for 24 hrs. Then put back on all the stuff removed. Then spray undercoating or rustproofing on that stuff as appropriate and let it dry for 24 hrs. Then I go back every year or so for inspection and they touch up any areas needed. I just had this done to mine over the last week. $2600. Doing this in the past, as I drive on the beach a lot on the Outer Banks in NC, has paid off well as I have never had a rust problem. I also run thru a car wash with undercarriage wash twice as soon as possible after such driving and when roads are salted in my area.

Any offer for rustproofing an/or undercoating that takes a day or less is only a feel good thing IMHO

 

I watched the video. My Brother had Ziebart done to his 1977 Ford Pickup when new. But in the 70's, Ziebart was really the only option along with cheap quality under coatings. But today, there are much better and less expensive options. And opinions will very.
Personally, I've had good success with Krown, if you have a Dealer in your area. My 21' ORP just had it's 3rd application this past May. The under carriage still looks new.

 

@salvojimmy That information is so helpful. Thank you.

 

Wow, that sounds like a very thorough job! I’m assuming the product is a paint/tar type coating if it needs to dry? It sounds like they are doing it right if they are taking all those steps to protect things that shouldn't be sprayed (like electrical connections, rubber boots etc), and using other types of product where needed.

But I think taking a day to spray Wool wax or similar greasy product is much more than a feel good treatment. 99 percent of the grease products will stick for years, (or indefinitely if it gets saturated with dust/dirt). But yeah, it will still need regular touch ups in certain spots on every year or two.

 

I was speaking of undercoating when I mentioned the time it takes to do it right and thorough. For example I had a quote from Linex to undercoat for $800 and 4 hrs. No way can that be a good job.

 

Ah sorry, I was thinking of the word undercoating as any type product applied to the frame. Yes, I’d be terrified of a quick and dirty job that uses an asphalt/resin/rubberized etc product lol. It would be worse than “feel good”, because those would be the situations where you might get adhesion failure that allows water between it and the metal.