To coat or not to coat?

[supa_fox]

Hey all,
winter is coming here in calgary and my deli has never seen snow this side of the ocean.
We had our old townace undercoated and rust 'proofed' at zeibart I think it was. I was thinking of doing the same to the new deli, there isnt any rust yet, but I am worried the salt on the road will start some.
Any opinions on if its worth it? the townace cost about 500$ so I am thinking the delica will be about the same.
It would be nice to spend the $500 on some winter tires, but if it will make a difference, ill do the undercoat.

thanks for the advice!

[jessef]

undercoating makes things worse for your vehicle unless it's been done straight from the factory while there is no moisture/rust underneath.

Even a small bit of surface rust/moisture trapped between metal and undercoat will eat away over time. Problem there is you won't see it working away at the metal because it's been coated with undercoating.

The best thing you can do to any vehicle that runs on salt/winter roads is to have it steam cleaned underneath and then treated/sprayed with oil. Crown is a good form and there are others.

Upsides : oil displaces water and doesn't trap rust / not permanent / can be sprayed inside every little nook and groove
Downsides : film is sticky / needs to be reapplied usually once a year

I only use undercoating in wheel wells/bumpers, etc...

[madmazda]

Hi ya I'm in Calgary and just did mine a bit ago and want to finish it off..... I bought this oily spray goop from canadian tire and sprayed the bu. jesus out of the underside.... I tried to find every nook and cranny possible as jesse stated get the oily spray and clean the underside.... I only used the rocker guard spray on the wheel wells after I pressure washed it and let dry. have any questions don't hesitate to email meet up and show you what and where..... Cheers....

[dennis_lambert]

Yeah,I agree undercoating just traps the problem!It might slow it somewhat as oxygen cant get to the equation... but it will continue, and you won't know until it eats everything as you cant see it under all the rubber compound.
I use LPS Rust Inhibitor.Its a spray that dries clear waxy sort of finish.Everytime I am crawling under to fix or look at something I bring the can!!
On another note I also recommend treating the roof of our Beautiful Delicas...Its alot of work but moisture get traped between the headliner and roof skin and causes big problems catch it before its too late!!On my Delica a 93 with 60K..too late it ate through the roof everywhere

[supa_fox]

Hey Guys,
unanimous! thanks!!
I will skip the undercoat, glad to know I dont have to spend the $$ and potentially make things worse!
off to canadian tire it is, and a chunk of cash towards some nokians for the winter.

cheers y'all.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Do it bit by bit. Clean; key; coat ~ one piece at a time. Then you will know that it is clean and dry, you will also learn more about your wagon. Just a paint brush and anti-rust paint (or a spray bomb).

Falco.

[jwfchase]

... and a chunk of cash towards some nokians for the winter.

cheers y'all.

If you can stomach the bill, get the Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT's, they are AWESOME winters and great in all conditions. Mine are starting their third winter and they still look almost new!

[Firesong]

Honestly, If I just got my van off the boat and it was apparently rustless
I would coat the whole thing in POR-15 underneath. Seriously.
Then Put truck bed liner paint on overtop off that.
I wasn't lucky enough to get my van that pristine initially.

FS

[fexlboi]

Apparently FluidFilm works well to prevent any rust under your van. It doesn't gum up, neither does it trap any rust as regular undercoating would do. Easy to apply and can be wiped off again if you want it.

We will try it this winter....

http://www.fluid-film.com/products/index.html

[Jensen]

+1 on the fluid film. I've used that stuff before to keep machined parts looking new when they sit on the shelf. I STOPPED using it because I found it hard to get off, but in this application that's what you're looking for so go for it. The other product I use is manufactured by a company called Cortec. They make all kinds of anti-corrosion sprays, even some brush on product's that are really thick. I don't know where you can get it off the shelf though, I get stuff in 5 gallon buckets from a distributor.

http://www.cortecvci.com/Products/products.php

[supa_fox]

tons of great advice. Back in town and calgary is silly cold, I will be getting going on this as soon as it warms up a little bit!

thanks for all the help, I was really close to doing the zeibart thing, really glad now that I didnt!

jwfchase - 100% on the Hakkapeliittas, I had those on our townace... the were vicious in the snow!
we also had the wrg2s on our element (i know, boring) they were pretty great as well, tho didnt inspire the 'badass' feeling like the hakkas did!

I am finding the l400 so stable and solid that with some mild knobbies on it, it bites right into the snow.. not sure if I will need winters or not?

cheers
J