The underside of a vehicle is a hotbed of rust and other damage. Water, salt, oil, and other vehicular fluids wreak havoc on a vehicle’s metal frame, and rust and corrosion is not only unsightly; it can also cause the breakdown of parts and entire systems. Car undercoatings can protect your vehicle, a significant investment.

Is Undercoating Your Vehicle a Good Idea?

American vehicle owners shell out approximately $3 billion collectively every year for repairs made necessary by rust damage and corrosion caused by de-icing elements. This minimizes the integrity of a vehicle’s frame, cutting its lifetime short and reducing its value.

Car undercoatings serve as a physical protective barrier between the vehicle and the elements. They block out corrosive elements and keep the underside of a vehicle fresh and free of cracks or leaks. Undercoatings and other methods for rustproofing can extend a vehicle’s life, especially if you live in an environment with a lot of dust or rock salt laid out for icy weather. Moreover, a good undercoating can cut down on exterior road noise, giving you a better driving experience.

How Long Do Car Undercoatings Last?

The lifespan of your car undercoating depends on the kind of material used, how much exposure to the elements it receives, and whether it was applied professionally or as a DIY project. Applying a new layer each year is a sound way to protect your vehicle without compromising the underbelly.

When Should You Undercoat Your Vehicle?

If you want to protect your vehicle to the best effect, the best time to apply a car undercoating is when the vehicle is new. At that point, no corrosion, debris, residue, or leakage has affected the frame’s structural integrity. Even if the vehicle is not new, these things must be completely cleared away before the undercoating is applied. 

Rust must be completely removed before the coatings are applied because it can spread like wildfire once the process begins. If you neglect to repair rust damage before applying a car undercoating (or paint for that matter), you will only trap moisture below the surface and allow the oxidation process to continue.

What Are Undercoatings Made of?

When it comes to materials for vehicular undercoatings, you have your pick. From traditional rubberized hard undercoatings to softer oil-based undercoatings, each material has its pros and cons. When choosing the right one for your vehicle, you must take into account the application process and the kind of use your vehicle experiences. 

Rubber

Car undercoatings traditionally come in hard rubber. They are relatively easy to apply, and the tough material makes them the best choice for reducing sounds from the road. The material dries to a soft rubbery finish that offers protection from moisture, dust, rust, and dings or dents. Rubber is safe to use on both quarter panels and wheel wells, and because it is so sturdy it can be easily painted over.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane-based sealant is another material you can use to seal your vehicle’s undercarriage. It is quicker and easier to apply than traditional rubber undercoatings. It is also more effective for complete coverage, seeping into seams and cracks. Polyurethane-based sealant is easy to sand away when you want to have body work performed on your vehicle, allowing for easy painting.

Perhaps the biggest downside to polyurethane-based sealant is the amount of prep work required before applying it. The metal of the vehicle’s frame should be sanded and treated with etching primer.

Wax

Undercarriage sealants also come in wax or paraffin. These car undercoatings are the cheapest and quickest option available. Unfortunately, this also makes them the least durable option, requiring them to be reapplied at least once every year.

Asphalt

Asphalt undercoatings are not typically available for class D vehicles but are effective for heavy machinery and large trucks. These coatings, usually laced with rubberized material to soften road noise, are extra durable and extra tough. This is necessary for trucks which travel thousands of miles every year or other vehicles that traverse rough terrain. Asphalt undercoatings need significant time to cure and are not paintable. 

Undercoating Your Vehicle with Layton Car Care

It is possible to apply car undercoatings to your own vehicle, but for best results, we recommend letting the professionals handle it. At Layton Car Care, we offer only the best detailing services to keep your vehicle in the best condition possible. Come see us today to take care of your car for the long haul.

Have you ever looked at an older set of tires and seen hairline fractures in the rubber surface? If so, we hope they weren’t on your own vehicle. Cracking tires are a sign of aging, and indication that your tires are on their way out. Tires form cracks when the rubber in the tire breaks down, and the diminished stability can lead to much more serious problems on the road.

Sometimes referred to as weather cracking, ozone cracking, or weather checking, the formation of cracks in a vehicle’s tires is almost an inevitability. Fortunately, advances in how tires are manufactured have extended their lifespan, pushing back the onset of cracking. However, once cracks begin to form, the process tends to progress quickly, so any cracks in your tires should be attended to quickly, especially if the cracks are in the tire treads.

Why Do Tires Crack?

Cracking tires indicate that the rubber the tires are made of has begun to break down. This is natural, especially considering all the battering tires take from uneven road conditions, wet weather, chemicals and oils on the road, and near-constant exposure to UV radiation from the sun. Overtime, these elements reduce rubber tires’ flexibility, which leads to cracking.

In some cases, cracking tires may be the result of rot embedded in the tires’ tread. This problem is especially dangerous because it makes the tires more at-risk of blowing off the rims entirely, which can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Especially in newer tires, cracking may be indicative of manufacturing fault.

When Are Cracking Tires Unsafe?

Just because cracks arise doesn’t mean you should immediately stop driving on them. Cracking tires should be treated on a case-by-case basis. Superficial sidewall cracks do not usually pose an immediate threat to a vehicle. However, as the cracks deepen or lengthen, you should start thinking about replacing your tires. Once the process has started, it progresses quickly.

The severity of the cracks also depends on where they form. Tire sidewalls are more likely to crack than the treads, though the damage to treads is more serious. When the treads pull apart, tires are more likely to pull away from the wheels completely, and this outcome poses a serious safety hazard. 

How Long Do Tires Last Before Cracking?

Unlike the chicken in your fridge, tires do not usually have a hard and fast expiration date. At the time of manufacture, the manufacturer is legally obligated to list the production date and a nominal expiration date of six years from that date. Five to seven years is usually a good estimate for a tire’s lifespan, but the true longevity of a tire depends on many factors, including how it is stored and how much it is used. 

If you notice that your tires have begun to crack, you have a few options available to you. The first course of action we recommend is to get the tires professionally checked out. Have a professional look over the cracks to see how much longer the tires have and if repair is possible.

Can Cracked Tires Be Fixed?

Once anything has sustained structural damage, no amount of repair can return that item to its original strength. This is at least true of tires. While cracked tires can sometimes be repaired, the result is usually more of a band-aide fix. There are several tire-repair seals available on the market, but these tend to merely mask the problem instead of truly correcting it. 

How Do I Keep My Rubber Tires from Cracking?

A more effective solution than repairing cracking tires is to keep them from cracking in the first place. The key to preserving the longevity of your tires boils down to maintaining their flexibility. This is best done by shielding them from deteriorating elements: keep the car in the garage, out of the sun and rain; keep the vehicle out of standing water; clean off mud, snow, and rock salt; and keep tires properly inflated.

Keeping the tires moving is another important way to keep them flexible. Don’t let your tires sit motionless for two long. During periods of long disuse, you or someone else should take the vehicle out for a short spin if you want to prevent cracking tires. For more information about extending the lifespan of your tires, or to have cracked tires replaced, come see us at Layton Car Care today.

Car maintenance is expensive. How many of us have stood at that counter at the mechanic’s and had at least a little sticker shock when we saw the bill? Replacing or even repairing brakes is the same story. Fortunately, there are several driving practices that can extend the life of your brakes, and if you protect your brakes from premature wear, you can save your wallet from a thinning.

Take It Slow

The number one cause for premature brake pad wear and tear is coming to a complete stop from high speed. In fact, an increase of 20 mph results in 33% more energy that must be dissipated through the brakes. Fortunately, this means that slowing down even a little can save your brakes some stress. You don’t have to drive like a turtle, just be conservative if you want to protect your brakes.

Go Easy

Slamming down on the brakes is detrimental to them every time it happens. It can usually be avoided if you know what is up ahead and give your car plenty of time to stop. If you want to protect your brakes, being mindful of your surroundings and upcoming hazards or traffic will allow you to slow down without slamming on the brakes.

Don’t Two-Foot

When a driver taps the brakes while still engaging the accelerator pedal, it is referred to as “two-footing.” This practice wears down brakes prematurely without actually slowing down the vehicle. Unfortunately, some people do it unconsciously. Pay attention the next time you tap your brakes. If you’re guilty of two-footing, take strides to break the habit.

Coasting

Coasting refers to when a driver takes his or her foot off the gas pedal and allows the vehicle to naturally slow down before applying the brakes. While not always an option, coasting is a great way to protect your brakes by taking advantage of road conditions. If you exit the freeway or approach a stop sign or red light, simply cancel cruise control or take your foot off the accelerator before applying the brake. 

If traffic is backed up ahead but you haven’t reached the slowdown, coast if you have the space. If you come over a hill, you may not need to apply the brake before letting your vehicle come back to reasonable speeds. Mind the gap, though, and do not leave it until the last minute to slam the brakes.

Give Yourself Some Space

Coasting only works if you have the room to do it safely. Leaving plenty of room between you and the drivers around you isn’t just a good way to protect your brakes, it’s road safety 101 and important if you don’t want to make other drivers feel unsafe or angry. Especially when the weather or ambient light is poor, make room. In heavy traffic, do not rush to fill gaps only to hit the brake repeatedly. Doing so is bad for your brakes and your gas mileage.

Lighten Up

The heavier your vehicle, the harder your brakes have to work to stop it. Transporting weighty items in your car is hard on your brakes, and so is towing. Even substantial additions and modifications to a vehicle can strain the brakes, so give that some thought before you install a massive sound system. 

Brake with Your Engine

Your braking system isn’t the only way to slow your vehicle down. The engine can also do it. Downshifting through the gears while a vehicle is in motion causes the engine to check the vehicle’s speed. It isn’t a fool-proof solution, however, and should be used with discretion. Downshifting is more effective in vehicles with manual transmissions, and shifting gears when the vehicle is going too fast or shifting too quickly can damage other parts of your vehicle, and you don’t want to protect your brakes at the expense of your engine or transmission.

Flush Your Brakes Regularly

Your braking system is hydraulic. Brake fluid is hardy stuff, designed to take the heat when the rest of the system lays on the pressure. Unfortunately, it is also hygroscopic, meaning it tends to absorb atmospheric water. This water doesn’t respond as well to the intense heat and pressure found in your vehicle’s brakes, and it can boil or corrode the internal mechanics of the car.

Brakes should be flushed regularly to remove the water and give your fluid a fresh start. The industry standard recommendation is to flush your brakes approximately every two years or 25,000 miles. For a recommendation specific to your make and model, contact your manufacturer. 

Let Layton Car Care Help You Protect Your Brakes

There is nothing like professional inspection and maintenance to monitor how your brakes are holding up. At Layton Car Care, we can look over your vehicle and make sure everything is in tip-top shape, and if your brakes do need to be serviced or repaired, we have all the right tools to see it done.