Undercoating

[Dave Young]

How necessary is the undercoating that was applied when the truck was built? Do I need to do something similar when I build my truck to protect the undercarriage?

[riverracer]

Undercoating is mainly for protection of salt in the winter time, if you don't plan on going to $hit country in the winter time you really don't need it, but it don't hurt anything!..

[Dave Young]

Makes sense. If I'm not using undercoating, how do I keep any bare metal from rusting? Primer? If I do decide to use undercoating, how is it applied?

[riverracer]

I've only seen it sprayed on but I'm sure you can brush it on I would think!. I was thinking of using Zolatone on mine, comes in a multitude of colors and it would be different!..

[salazar44]

I just bought the spray on kind and after sanding the inner fender wells down, I then sprayed a nice thick coat on. i think it will protect it.

[riverracer]

Should work just fine!..

[Scooter3]

Depending on where your wanting to keep rust out, you could put some of the POR15 stuff on it, I've seen street rodders build cars out of that stuff, jk, but it will stop rust and fill holes up like nobodys business. Also if you havent noticed the factory undercoating can actually cause rust, my side window seals were all dry rotted and leaked, the undercoating on the inside of the door came lose and held water between it and the metal eventually causing a hole in the door.

[62mark]

i had an old 65 once. i painted the whole bottom with roofing tar...worked pretty good, but i dont know about long term..

[Scooter3]

My neighbor but roofing tar under the carpet of his falcon for sound deading. He put some dynamat on top of that and its quiter then my grandma's buick. Its good for that at least.

[Bob]

I would say for a daily driver I would undercoat. We build hot rods and our bodies (and cabs) are painted the same color underneath as they are on top. Ad's a nice contrast to the frame.

[456chevytrucks]

Undercoating serves a few purposes, a few being sound-deadening, chip-resistance and rust-proofing. The factory applied undercoating from the outside edge to 20" inward. I suggest using undercoating, regardless of the quality of the project or build you are doing. It is good insurance, if applied properly on a properly prep'd surface.

3M makes a good undercoating and most FLAPS (favorite local auto parts store) carry a good quality undercoating. I personally feel applying it is worth the investment.

[hamrs62]

so, this undercoating comes in spray cans ? and can it be applied over primer, or does it have to be a finish coat of paint,,
thanks

I am new at this

[harryb]

I sand-blasted the frame and painted it with "Rust Bullet" which is very similar to POR-15; then, I applied a couple of coats of chassis black. It should be set for a while.

[62blue]

RUST BULLET is the way to go. Go to their web site and take a look at their tests of the 325 different rust preventers then you will see why RUST BULLET is the BEST OF THEM ALL.
62Blue
Don

[62blue]

Here is a idea that would seal the bottom of your cab if it were off the frame is to use the bed coating called Rhino Lining or the equilivent.
62Blue
Don