undercoating?

[gw84]

I've been searching through threads on this subject in the "car detailing" forum for a few days now but I would rather have the opinion of lumina owners. I feel more "at home" here, owning two lumi's myself . enough with the brown-nosing...here's the question: Should undercoating be used? how often? and how do they work? Any info (as always) would be great.

[richtazz]

use undercoating sparingly, keep it away from sources of heat (exhaust pipes, converter, muffler, etc... Use it where rust normally starts or for noise reduction, and make sure you don't block any drain holes. I prefer the rubberized type over the tar-like type.

[gw84]

I haven't checked out any products yet so I'm unfimilar with instructions. However, I'm assuming you have to gently clean and remove any debris from the undercarriage before beginning. Then what? Do you just spray it on? Also, can you recommend any specific brands? I'd like to go ahead and get this project done ASAP...it won't be long 'til winter rears its ugly head! Damn Illinois weather!

[richtazz]

I live in Michigan, so I feel your pain about the winter weather. If you take the car to a car wash with an undercarriage spray, then let it dry, that should be clean enough. Spray it like you would paint, with several thin coats, not one or two heavy ones. Brand name really doesn't matter, it's all the same stuff. Just make sure you get the "rubberized" stuff, not the tar like stuff.

[gw84]

How long do I need to let the stuff dry before driving? I drive on a lot of gravel so dust is a major issue for me. I don't want to spend a lot of time with undercoating just to drive on gravel and have dust attract right to it.