Question about undercoating?
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From: NH
Question about undercoating?
I am not sure where to post this question and if this is the wrong place I apologize and if the moderators wish to move it then that’s fine.
Ok, as some of you know I just bought a new Lightning on Monday and in the past since I have lived here in New Hampshire I have always had my vehicles undercoated at the dealers to protect it from the salt in the winters.
Yes I know I need a beater and I do have plans on looking for one, but for now, or at least the rest of this winter I will have to drive the Lightning.
Well, my dealer no longer does undercoating, told me it’s not needed on today’s new vehicles. I thought that was odd a dealer giving up extra profit (LOL) so since I had to make an appointment to get a small chip repaired and painted at an independent body shop they use I called and made that appointment and asked them about undercoating and if they did it or if not then could they recommend someone.
I was told the same thing, that it did not need undercoating and that they, as well as Ford has found undercoating causes more problems then it was intended to help. He said on older cars it was needed, but that new ones come protected, frame is painted and treated as well as anything else that could rust underneath.
So, any of you experts out there I would appreciate any information you may have. I know there are some here that work at Ford plants so could you let me know about just what is done to protect the undercarriage?
It is a 03 Lightning, but that shouldn’t make a difference right? A truck is a truck as far as the materials they use and what ever they do to the frames etc for protection.
I know this may be an **** type of question but I have always tried to do what is best to protect my vehicles, not so much for any resale value just my own piece of mind.
Ok, as some of you know I just bought a new Lightning on Monday and in the past since I have lived here in New Hampshire I have always had my vehicles undercoated at the dealers to protect it from the salt in the winters.
Yes I know I need a beater and I do have plans on looking for one, but for now, or at least the rest of this winter I will have to drive the Lightning.
Well, my dealer no longer does undercoating, told me it’s not needed on today’s new vehicles. I thought that was odd a dealer giving up extra profit (LOL) so since I had to make an appointment to get a small chip repaired and painted at an independent body shop they use I called and made that appointment and asked them about undercoating and if they did it or if not then could they recommend someone.
I was told the same thing, that it did not need undercoating and that they, as well as Ford has found undercoating causes more problems then it was intended to help. He said on older cars it was needed, but that new ones come protected, frame is painted and treated as well as anything else that could rust underneath.
So, any of you experts out there I would appreciate any information you may have. I know there are some here that work at Ford plants so could you let me know about just what is done to protect the undercarriage?
It is a 03 Lightning, but that shouldn’t make a difference right? A truck is a truck as far as the materials they use and what ever they do to the frames etc for protection.
I know this may be an **** type of question but I have always tried to do what is best to protect my vehicles, not so much for any resale value just my own piece of mind.
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I'm not sure why the dealer told you that undercoating is not nessesary on newer vehicles. My 01 came with it from the dealer. And I don't see what would be so different from between model years 01 and 03? I say if it makes you feel better, and gives you peace of mind, go ahead and take it somewhere to have it undercoated. Just my 2 cents.
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From: NH
Peacemaker,
I hear you on that because my 01 was also undercoated, as was all my previous vehicles I bought since in New Hampshire. Since I have posted this question here and in the “2004 Ford” forum I have called 3 different body shops and they all told me the same thing which is there is no real need to do it now, and that it “could” cause problems with keeping some moisture in, in certain areas.
They told me that about the only thing to worry about is the actual frame and that if I look at it, it should be either painted and/or coated. So I went down and took a look and indeed the frame is coating with a black substance. You can sink your fingernail into it and it feels basically like an undercoating, but it’s just the frame.
Everything else I could see is painted, except for nuts and bolts which they said if I really wanted to be **** simple put some Vaseline on them which would help keep any “surface” rust off, but they would not actually rust through.
Other then that they told me with the exception of the drive shaft possible getting surface rust and exhaust everything else is fine. As every one knows there is nothing you can do for the exhaust since it would burn off, and I believe this has stainless steel exhaust, could be wrong.
Damn interesting and wonder if my 01 had the frame coated like this, or like you mentioned maybe something changed between 01 and 03…
I hear you on that because my 01 was also undercoated, as was all my previous vehicles I bought since in New Hampshire. Since I have posted this question here and in the “2004 Ford” forum I have called 3 different body shops and they all told me the same thing which is there is no real need to do it now, and that it “could” cause problems with keeping some moisture in, in certain areas.
They told me that about the only thing to worry about is the actual frame and that if I look at it, it should be either painted and/or coated. So I went down and took a look and indeed the frame is coating with a black substance. You can sink your fingernail into it and it feels basically like an undercoating, but it’s just the frame.
Everything else I could see is painted, except for nuts and bolts which they said if I really wanted to be **** simple put some Vaseline on them which would help keep any “surface” rust off, but they would not actually rust through.
Other then that they told me with the exception of the drive shaft possible getting surface rust and exhaust everything else is fine. As every one knows there is nothing you can do for the exhaust since it would burn off, and I believe this has stainless steel exhaust, could be wrong.
Damn interesting and wonder if my 01 had the frame coated like this, or like you mentioned maybe something changed between 01 and 03…
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I went and looked at the underside of my truck, and on mine only the frame is coated also. So the process of undercoating must have not changed since 2001. But that's just my perception. If you can sink your fingernails into the goey stuff on the frame, then you can pretty much say that's undercoating. Or at least that's what it sounds like your saying. You can expect the nuts and bolts and the driveshaft to get a little rusty, but your exhaust is stainless, and your exhaust tips are ceramic-coated, so they won't be rusting anytime soon. I'd just keep the salt off of it the best that you can, and it should be fine. You have a nice ride, take care of it. 
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From: NH
I did mine "again" today. Washed it yesterday and today I needed to do a few things so it got some salt on it. Next few days are suppose to be "ok" so I washed it again today... 
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From: Rochester, NY, USA
01 XLT Sport,
I used to get all of my vehicles rustproofed (inside the body panels) and undercoated (outside on the underside) at Ziebardt. When I bought my 1997 F-150, I got my last "full" rustproofing just because I wasn't sure they were really building (protecting?) them better from the factory. It seemed to work fine.
When I bought my 1999 F-150, I was confident enough in Ford's ability to build a more rust resistant truck to just go with undercoating. It seemed to work quite well too.
When I bought my 2002 F-150, I skipped the whole program. Oh, yea, and I live in the salt capital of the north east. What do I see after 2 winters with salt? Well, I'm starting to see some minor surface rust - mostly on the frame - but nothing serious. Cosmetically though, it's troublesome. Since I only keep my trucks for 3 years or 60,000 miles, it really doesn't seem to matter either way.
So, would I recommend undercoating? If you want something that will both protect your vehicle better and look better - yes. On the flip side, if the person applying the splooge gets too much on in the wrong spots and actually causes salty water to get trapped - you're in more trouble than if you went without it. In summary, if you're going to keep your vehicle for a long time and worry about what it looks like - get it done - by a pro. (Generally not a car dealer.)
I used to get all of my vehicles rustproofed (inside the body panels) and undercoated (outside on the underside) at Ziebardt. When I bought my 1997 F-150, I got my last "full" rustproofing just because I wasn't sure they were really building (protecting?) them better from the factory. It seemed to work fine.
When I bought my 1999 F-150, I was confident enough in Ford's ability to build a more rust resistant truck to just go with undercoating. It seemed to work quite well too.
When I bought my 2002 F-150, I skipped the whole program. Oh, yea, and I live in the salt capital of the north east. What do I see after 2 winters with salt? Well, I'm starting to see some minor surface rust - mostly on the frame - but nothing serious. Cosmetically though, it's troublesome. Since I only keep my trucks for 3 years or 60,000 miles, it really doesn't seem to matter either way.
So, would I recommend undercoating? If you want something that will both protect your vehicle better and look better - yes. On the flip side, if the person applying the splooge gets too much on in the wrong spots and actually causes salty water to get trapped - you're in more trouble than if you went without it. In summary, if you're going to keep your vehicle for a long time and worry about what it looks like - get it done - by a pro. (Generally not a car dealer.)