Underbody sealing

d-t ( snipped-for-privacy@tiscali.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

It's 5yo, and there's "surface rust". That's all. How long are you planning on keeping it? Which bits are looking manky? Anything important?

If you've got your wits about you, absolutely. Just don't put it on anything where it may cause a problem (do I need to explicitly mention brake disks and calipers?), and there's no point on putting it on any maintenance items - fuel filter etc - or slathering it on fasteners that may need to be removed. If you get it on the exhaust, it won't cause a _problem_, just a smell...

What car is it? The main problem is bodywork - ie, stuff that'll rust through. My ARBs are rusted to hell but it doesn't really worry me as I know it's not going to dissolve them any time soon..

i wouldn;t worry about those bits, suspension components get surface rust, but are substantial enough not to rust through...

Just spent =A3235 getting the wifes' FTO done. Did my Capri last year and= =20 topped it up this year.

You don't underseal any of the mechanical components at all.=20 Undersealing is supposed to be done to the bodywork only.

--=20 Conor

I'm not prejudiced. I hate everyone equally.

Well, I'm now selling it (which is how I noticed these areas), but was thinking perhaps of treating my imminent new car. The bits that I can see are the middle sections of the exhaust, and the rear suspension struts (if that's the right term).

So is there an alternative for treating exhausts? Zinc spray, perhaps?

Xsara Picasso. Certainly seen no sign of bodywork problems. But I did feel the need to be honest when describing the car (using autorola.co.uk)

Buy a stainless one. Or one that's been properly zinc plated in the first place.

Buy a stainless steel one.

What car is it? FFS, I've got a 17 year old golf, and the only rust on the underside that could do with sorting is on the rear jacking points which are pretty much asking to collect water. Any new car should at the very least be properly cavity waxed and undersealed, and preferably galvanised.

Exhausts rot. It's the way of the world. They're subjected to nasty chemicals, and if the metalwork didn't break down, the silencer wadding would.

There is absolutely no point in painting an exhaust. They rust from the inside out.

d-t (d-t ) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

Pointless trying. They rot from the inside out.

Doki ("Doki" ) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

And his Picasso is.

'course, the galvanising is only ever the actual shell, never the bolt-on stuff around it. Not that that _rots_

I'd have hoped so. Even the bird's ZX and 106 have Galvanised shells. Even my Dispatch does...

I have to say, the OP must be a vicar or something. As long as there are pysically no holes or any about to appear, looking at the underneath of a car is the buyer's job...

Thanks for all the comments. No, I'm not a vicar! However, the checklist that Autorola makes you complete includes examining the underside. Not a very scientific process, when all you've got is your drive and a torch!

Out of interest, who did the work on your wife's FTO and your Capri? Sounds useful if they encourage topping-up. Roy

Just spent £235 getting the wifes' FTO done. Did my Capri last year and topped it up this year.

You don't underseal any of the mechanical components at all. Undersealing is supposed to be done to the bodywork only.