Opinions Wanted: Undercoating and Maintenance Package

ScottMc

Hey ALL!

Looking for opinions on Undercoating and Maintenance Package and whether these dealer add-ons are worth it. I usually don't buy the aforementioned options because I typically don't stay in vehicles more than 4 years, but that's about to change with the Bronco. I live in Virgina, so winters arent that bad, but I havent seen a vehicle comparison of undercoating vs no undercoating to determine if the price is worth it. In regards to the Maintenance Packages (Range in price from $2500 to $5000) does anyone have any advice or experience, good/bad/indifferent?

Thanks!

From what I know the undercoating is not worth it. Nothing but pure profit for the dealership.

TK1215

From what I know the undercoating is not worth it. Nothing but pure profit for the dealership.

I second that, been in CO since 1996 and never once had it done and cant think of anyone that has here

I bought a 1998 F150 in Dec 97 off the lot. I didn't get the undercoating but wish I had.
I'm still driving my F150 (until my Bronco arrives) but the underside is complete rust.
I need a gator net under the truck to catch all the shit that has rusted off and fell on the road.
I'm going to price after market protection with my Ford dealer and pick one. It's a must if your going to keep your Bronco.

I like to ask people I see driving around the rust belt that have older vehicles with no rust what their secret is. Almost every time they say that they wax the exterior paint once a year and wash the car weekly (including spraying underside) during winter months. Have had friends with undercoat protection that actually trapped moisture and made things rust quicker so be careful about some of the products out there

My opinion is that all undercoating does is make a mess of the underside.

My understanding is that there IS an undercoating that a lot of people in cold weather climes have historically applied, which is like a heavy oil-based coating. THAT is not the same as what you get from a dealer. Everything I've ever read says to skip dealer undercoatings, as they can actually promote rust. Living in Indiana, I will back up what @Hkak45 said -- wash your car regularly in the winter, including undercarriage wash, and keep a good coat of wax on your car. I've always had my vehicles professionally detailed once every year or two, and the wax jobs have done WAY more to protect the paint than anything a dealer can spray on it. Same goes for the interior.... if you get a cloth interior, a can of Scotchguard goes a LONG way. About the only thing I've read that is worth it, if offered, is paint protection film (if done right).

https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/five-costly-car-dealer-options-to-skip

ScottMc

Hey ALL!

Looking for opinions on Undercoating and Maintenance Package and whether these dealer add-ons are worth it. I usually don't buy the aforementioned options because I typically don't stay in vehicles more than 4 years, but that's about to change with the Bronco. I live in Virgina, so winters arent that bad, but I havent seen a vehicle comparison of undercoating vs no undercoating to determine if the price is worth it. In regards to the Maintenance Packages (Range in price from $2500 to $5000) does anyone have any advice or experience, good/bad/indifferent?

Thanks!

I think you need to negotiate a bit with your dealer if they are charging $2500 to $5000. I did purchase the full maintenance package for my BL which included undercoating, sound deadoning in the doors and panels, UV protectant on the interior, and the real ace in the hole; Ceramic treatment for the exterior. That package was originally quoted at $1695 and we settled on $1125. It would have been a hard no if it were $2500 or above.

Just to clarify, I am not saying undercoating is a bad thing. I just wouldn’t pay to have the dealership do it. It’s like having nitrogen put in your tires at the dealership. they charge a nice fee and usually you can find their machine unplugged, not being used and stuff piled in front of and on top of it.

TK1215

Just to clarify, I am not saying undercoating is a bad thing. I just wouldn’t pay to have the dealership do it. It’s like having nitrogen put in your tires at the dealership. they charge a nice fee and usually you can find their machine unplugged, not being used and stuff piled in front of and on top of it.

Is there any reason you would want (or pay for) nitrogen filled tires vs air? Nitrogen and air have roughly the same density so there is no weight savings. Atmospheric air and nitrogen aren't any more or less reactive to rubber or aluminum/steel/etc of the wheel. Or am I just overthinking it and the answer is they do it because it's something they can charge the customer for regardless of the fact it has no particular benefit?

Undercoating can be a good idea depending on what the dealership means by "undercoating". In my opinion, I'd suggest caution if the undercoating is that black tar-like substance as no matter how good the undercoating is applied, moisture seems to find a way in and when that happens, it creates a situation where the metal may rot underneath the coating because it doesn't breathe and the moisture/salt can just kind of go nuts uninterrupted.

There is previous suggestions of waxing during the non-winter season and regular washes during winter. IMO, that would probably be the best, most-conventional, bet. As an alternative, the attached vid from Eric at South Main Auto (I love this channel for general car repair), goes over the issue with the above mentioned undercoating but also suggests the wax or lanolin-based undercoating. That's what I use. It's not permanent, and does wash off eventually so I tend to clean and re-apply before winter. He mentioned Fluid Film and Krown. I think Krown is a shop that provides services for undercoating, but there's nothing near me (MN). Fluid Film or Woolwax are probably the most common products for wax undercoating. From personal experience, Woolwax is definitely the heavier option but it is still the same type of product as Fluid Film, just heavier and doesn't wash as easily. You can apply it yourself w/ spray cans or there may be body shops out there that use these products with application guns.

As for the broader "maintenance package", can't really comment outside of undercoating.

tlowell01

Is there any reason you would want (or pay for) nitrogen filled tires vs air? Nitrogen and air have roughly the same density so there is no weight savings. Atmospheric air and nitrogen aren't any more or less reactive to rubber or aluminum/steel/etc of the wheel. Or am I just overthinking it and the answer is they do it because it's something they can charge the customer for regardless of the fact it has no particular benefit?

They say it lasts longer in between filling your tires. Big scam. They charge you extra and just put in air and green valve stem caps

TK1215

They say it lasts longer in between filling your tires. Big scam. They charge you extra and just put in air and green valve stem caps

I get nitrogen free for my tires at Costco

The first question I would ask of the nitrogen seller is, how do you get all the air out of the tire and only nitrogen back in? I’m sure the explanation would define pretzel logic.

Somebody had to share this, why not me?

BuckYeah

Somebody had to share this, why not me?

Classic!

TK1215

BuckYeah

Somebody had to share this, why not me?

Classic!

Click to expand...

OK. That’s just so funny, don’t cha know!!

bigkahuna

TK1215

BuckYeah

Somebody had to share this, why not me?

Classic!

Click to expand...

OK. That’s just so funny, don’t cha know!!

Click to expand...

Oh, ya betcha, yah.

Orf

I live in Michigan and highly recommend Fluid Film. Its not the black tar substance that some have written about. Rather, its a thick oil that has to be reapplied every fall.

You have to drill some holes in your body panels to get it everywhere it needs to go, but well worth it in my opinion.