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Undercoat - something I need?

Hi all,

I have two cars which were originally purchased from California dealers. One is a 1997 Toyota Corolla, and the other a 1998 Dodge Caravan. Now the cars are in Michigan and they'll be here for one or more winters.

My question -- is it true that I should have a special undercoating put on the cars, to protect them from road salt and so forth? I've been told that California cars aren't sold with this undercoating and that I should have it added. A local shop tells me it will cost about $120 per car to do so.

Am I being had, or is this a legitimate need?

Thanks for any input!

Ken

Reply to
Ken Simon
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snipped-for-privacy@sheheit.com (Ken Simon) wrote in news:ef35d102.0309191131.f1357e9 @posting.google.com:

snip snip snip

I wouldn't. I moved from CA to Ohio with a new Mercury in the mind 70's with no undercoating. Ten years later the only rust was minor around the wheel wells where the metal was doubled over. Some call this a "rust sandwich" it happens when they sandwich two pieces of metal together and allow water and dirt to get trapped inside. I usually rinse off the underside and inside the wheel wells of my cars. I never cared for undercoating &/or rustproofing and my experience reinforced my belief. IMHO you stand more of a chance of underbody rust by trapping moisture with a rubberized coating than if you just let it drip off and rinse it occasionally.

Reply to
wß

Hi Ken I had the same problem, I have a neighbor thats been a mechanic and in the car business for 35 years and says Don't do it! it will rust more if you put it on. Bob

Reply to
Bob

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