To undercoat or not to undercoat?

Mora

Mora

TJ Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 17, 2020
Messages
128
Location
Ventura County, California
Is the only way to make the underside of my Jeep look good again is by undercoating it or are there any other alternatives? I’m not too familiar with undercoating. Any precautions of what to do and what not to do?

I’m in California so rust on the frames isn’t too common. This would just be for pure looks.

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I would not. Undercoating would only exacerbate existing rust, as moisture finds its way inside. That said, you live in California, so it wouldn't really matter. You could always sand, prime, and paint with rustoleum. Or prep and POR-15. I live in New York and had undercoat applied, but it was only after having the entire undercarriage sandblasted.
 
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bromel said:
I would not. Undercoating would only exacerbate existing rust, as moisture finds its way inside. That said, you live in California, so it wouldn't really matter. You could always sand, prime, and paint with rustoleum. Or prep and POR-15. I live in New York and had undercoat applied, but it was only after having the entire undercarriage sandblasted.
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X2 to this
 
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Last edited:
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Wire brush and paint the frame. I wouldn't mess too much else besides the frame though. Would be difficult to keep things such as the front axle looking all that great for a long period of time.
 
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Mora said:
Yeah, I guess it would get a bit tedious to try to always have it look nice.
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He lives in Illinois so it would be tedious. We don't have winters and salt in California. Once done you'd only have to touch up areas scuffed by rocks and such.
 
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L J said:
He lives in Illinois so it would be tedious. We don't have winters and salt in California. Once done you'd only have to touch up areas scuffed by rocks and such.
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I don't drive in the winter. With rocks and other road debris, it will still be tedious in my opinion.
 
I spray Fluid Film all over the bottom & inside the rail in the fall. It's a smelly viscous mess, but it sticks on there and is still oily to the touch the following spring, even with undercarriage washing.
 
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