For most drivers planning ways to take care of their vehicle, tasks often center around the visible parts of the car and under the hood. However, few drivers choose to focus on the most overlooked part of the vehicle: the underbody. The constant exposure to dirt, grime, chemicals, and debris can cause your vehicle’s underbody to develop rust and become corroded, potentially leading to expensive repairs. By taking care of your car’s undercarriage through detailed washing, preventative maintenance, and a clear coat or protective paint, you can preserve the quality of your vehicle for years to come.

Why Undercarriage Cleaning Matters for Car Longevity

The underbody of your vehicle faces a constant barrage of dirt, mud, road salt, sand, oil, and other contaminants as you drive down the road. These elements can cling to the bottom of your vehicle and inadvertently create the perfect conditions for both rust and corrosion to thrive. This is especially true in smaller areas like the wheel wells, brake lines, and exhaust components.

Rust is a particular issue for those in northern or coastal regions, as the combination of water and salt on the roads can accelerate this problem. The brake lines and suspension arms on your car are also particularly susceptible to corrosion, which can lead to dangerous brake failings or compromised handling abilities on the road.

On top of this, factory underbody paint coatings can degrade over time, which makes the metal surfaces more vulnerable to the above issues. None of this is to mention the fact that a car with visible rust or deterioration on the underbody will lose value quickly, potentially making reselling at a later date challenging.

DIY Undercarriage and Wheel Well Cleaning Techniques

Luckily, cleaning the undercarriage of your vehicle, along with the wheel wells, is not a challenging task. In fact, it doesn’t even require an expensive commercial car wash or auto detailing services. With just some basic tools and elbow grease, you can do this yourself at home. Follow the steps below to make your undercarriage spotless through a deep clean:

1. Choose the Right Time & Place: Opt for a warm and dry day to start, then park your car on a flat surface with good drainage, ideally in your driveway or on gravel.
2. Prep Safety Measures: Wear eye protection as well as gloves, and use jack stands if you’re going to work underneath the car. Also, be sure you have good lighting to see hard-to-reach areas.
3. Rinse Off Loose Debris: Try to use a garden hose with a high-pressure nozzle or an undercarriage attachment to blast away any loose dirt and salt, starting at the rear of the vehicle and working your way forward.
4. Apply Degreaser or Soap Solution: Next, mix an automotive degreaser or car shampoo with water in a spray bottle or pump sprayer and spray generously on the underbody, focusing on areas with visible grime or oil buildup. Allow to soak for 5-10 minutes to break down any contaminants.
5. Scrub Stubborn Areas: Using a stiff-bristle brush, scrub the wheel wells and reachable undercarriage parts. For any hard-to-reach spots on your vehicle, try using a long-handled brush or a telescoping cleaning wand instead.
6. Rinse Thoroughly: Once done, rinse off all soap and grime using a hose or pressure washer and make sure no residue is left behind, especially near the brake lines or suspension components to prevent brake dust.
7. Dry the Undercarriage: Finally, let your car air dry or use a compressed air device to blow moisture out of crevices.

When and How to Use Car Underbody Spray Paint

Once you have cleaned the undercarriage of your vehicle and gotten all the grime off, it’s the perfect time to consider applying an extra layer of paint correction and protection. An underbody spray paint or rubberized coating will form a barrier that resists moisture, road salt, and small rocks. Once you have the right type of car paint protection for your undercarriage, you will start by prepping your vehicle.

First, use sandpaper or a wire brush to remove any rust that may have already built up in the past. If needed, use a degreaser to clean the area further. Once this decontamination is done, you should tape off any exhaust parts, brake rotors, electrical components, or other sensitive areas to avoid overspray.

With the prepping of your vehicle finished, simply shake your chosen paint or coating well and spray the surface from 6-8 inches away. Allow each coat to dry close to 30 minutes, or however long is mentioned on the canister, before applying the next coat. In most cases, two-to-three coats will be enough to offer optimal protection.

How an Auto Protection Plan Adds Another Layer of Confidence

Even the most diligent maintenance schedule won’t prevent every issue, especially in a vehicle that is on the older side or has a high mileage built up. This is where an auto protection plan, often called a vehicle service contract, comes in handy. These plans offer a range of customizable protection, running the gamut from simple protection for a few stated components to comprehensive protection that covers the majority of parts under the hood.

Endurance Warranty offers three flagship auto protection plans that fall into the above range, but each is customizable, meaning you can find options that suit your specific needs. If protecting the undercarriage of your vehicle is a specific goal you have in mind, you can’t go wrong with any Endurance plan. However, the Supreme plan offers protection most similar to the manufacturer warranty that accompanies a brand new car, meaning the vast majority of the components on the undercarriage will likely fall within your coverage.

Car Care with Endurance Warranty

Cleaning and protecting the underbody of your car isn’t the most glamorous of work, but it’s undoubtedly important. On top of this, it’s also one of the very few DIY car detailing tasks that anybody can tackle with a vehicle. With just a few basic supplies and a small time commitment, you can reduce the buildup of both rust and corrosion while helping to ensure the longevity of your vehicle.

Take things a step further by also choosing to invest in a vehicle protection plan that can keep you covered against mechanical breakdowns. Ideally, opt for a plan that specifically covers suspension damage and rust-related protection, if possible, so that you can have peace of mind on the road. To learn which Endurance protection plan might be best for your needs, reach out to one of our service plan advisors at (800) 253-8203 to discuss quotes. Alternatively, you can shop online to see your price and plan recommendations right away.