Keeping your car in excellent condition should be a major goal to both help maintain the value of your car and avoid the need for expensive repairs. Unfortunately, some people are under the impression that car maintenance is always expensive and inconvenient, but this does not have to be true. For example, undercoating is a relatively simple process that can protect your car from corrosion. If you have never used these services, there may be some questions that you need answered before scheduling this work for your car. 

What Does An Undercoating Do?

Many people do not understand how an undercoat protects their vehicle. Often, people assume that a car will naturally resist rust and corrosion due to the type of metal used in the manufacturing. While this is usually true, those that live in climates where road salt is a necessity may find that the undercarriage of their car is rapidly deteriorating. 

An undercoat is a protective barrier that is added to the undercarriage of the car and the exterior paint. However, this coating will gradually wear away, and you will need to have it reapplied every couple of years to ensure that your car is protective from the harsh salts that keep the roads ice free. 

When Is It Safe To Wash Your Car?

After having the car undercoated, some drivers may wonder when they will be able to wash their car again. Some people assume that it will be several days before they are able to clean their car following this treatment. Luckily, you can wash your car within hours of the coat being applied. 

When your technician applies the coating, they will use a special device to rapidly dry it. This helps the coating bond to the metal, and once this has happened, it will be highly resistant to being washed off. However, the use of harsh cleaning agents can strip away this coating. Your undercoating provider will supply you with a list of chemical cleaners that should be avoided to maximize the lifespan of the undercoating. 

Corrosion has the potential to cause major damage to your car, and this is particularly true for those in areas that regularly apply deicing chemicals to the roadways. Fortunately, this is not a fate that you must accept, and applying an undercoating can dramatically reduce the amount of damage your car takes from corrosive deicing chemicals. By understanding these two commonly asked questions and answers about car undercoating, you will be in a better position to make informed decisions about this procedure.