Your car’s undercarriage faces the worst conditions on the road. Because of its location, the underside of your vehicle is continuously exposed to dirt, grime, snow, debris, and anything else that you will find on the roads.
Unlike the body of the car, the undercarriage isn’t the most visible part. As a result, it’s often ignored. Protecting your undercarriage is crucial if you want your vehicle to remain in great shape for longer.
Bedliner and undercoating are two different products that can prevent undercarriage damage and protect it from decay and rust.
Both these options have their pros and cons. And if you are considering adding a layer of protection to your car’s underside, it can be a little bit difficult for you to choose between these two options.
Hopefully, our review of undercoating vs. bedliner will shed more light on both processes and help you pick the best option.
What is Undercoating?
Undercoating forms a layer of protection on the vehicle’s undercarriage, thus protecting it from debris, contaminants, dirt, and rust. A layer of undercoating is a must-have irrespective of where you drive the car and the climate.
Even though car manufacturers are doing a great job at sealing parts found beneath the vehicle, the elements the undercarriage is often exposed to can cause significant damage.
Because of these reasons, dealerships will advise you to get professional undercoating when you buy a new car. With that being said, even used vehicles do need undercoating so that you can keep the parts in the undercarriage safe.
To help you understand what undercoating is, we should differentiate it from rust protection. Both terms are often used hand in hand, but they don’t mean the same thing.
Undercoating protects the outside of the undercarriage from rust and other elements. Rust protection goes inside the car. Depending on the level of protection you want to offer your vehicle, you can get both or one.
There are different types of undercoating. If you decide to get an undercoat for your car at the end of this review, it is important to know this.
The most popular type is rubberized undercoating.
Other than protecting your vehicle’s underside, rubberized undercoating provides sound cushioning. It is safe to apply on quarter panels and wheel wells.
It is also one of the easiest types of coating to use. Once it dries up, it turns into a dry rubber layer that ensures moisture doesn’t get inside, thus preventing rust. For most car owners, this is the go-to option. It can be removed easily, and you can paint over it.
Another option is polyurethane undercoating. This is easier to apply since it comes packaged in canisters ready to be placed in application guns.
Polyurethane undercoating does an excellent job of infiltrating seams and cracks on your undercarriage while getting rid of moisture and salt. This type of undercoating offers adequate protection. The only downside is that it needs a lot of prep work.
If you own a large truck or machinery whose undercarriage is heavily exposed to debris, mud, and other contaminants, then you should get the asphalt-based undercoating.
This is a much stronger type of undercoating, which is quite durable and has impressive sound-deadening capabilities.
Please note that asphalt-based undercoating can’t be painted over and requires more time to cure. If you are on a tight budget, go for paraffin or wax-based undercoating.
It is quick to apply, and it also wears out faster than any of the above types. This type of undercoating works best if you are interested in temporary undercarriage protection.
What is a Bedliner?
Bedliner were initially made for truck beds. However, truck and car owners later discovered how useful this product is at protecting the undercarriage.
If you are interested in protecting your vehicle’s underside, a bedliner is a great choice. In some ways, it is even much better than undercoating.
The latter, when it dries up, it turns into a grime and mud magnet. As a result, it soaks water which may get into the undercarriage and lead to rust.
With a bedliner installed in your undercarriage, dirt, mud, grease, and moisture won’t be able to stick to it. This is thanks to its design.
Bedliner comprises tiny bits of rubber, which, when applied to the undercarriage, offers protection from rust, impact from debris, and dampens sound.
Similar to undercoating, the bedliner is also easy to apply. Provided you have a bedliner kit on your hands. You shouldn’t run into any problems. There are a couple of reputable bedliners in the market.
With enough research, you should be able to identify those that have a decent finish, last for longer, and offer adequate protection. Depending on the bedliner you are using, you may have to spray it directly or use a brush.
If you are applying bedliner, remember that prep work is very crucial. The parts in your undercarriage need to be cleaned thoroughly.
If you skip this step, there is a likelihood that the bedliner will not hold for long. In case you are applying the bedliner to a used car, inspect for rust.
Never apply the bedliner on top of the rust. Repair any rust spots before spraying the bedliner. Give it a day or two for it to cure.
What are the Differences?
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Bedliner gives a more appealing finish than undercoating
If looks matter to you, then go with a bedliner. The final finish of a bedliner looks amazing on undercarriages. This doesn’t mean that undercoating looks terrible, but it won’t look as decent as a bedliner.
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The undercoat doesn’t last as long as the bedliner
After going through several reviews of car owners who have had both bedliners and undercoats in their undercarriages, bedliners are more durable.
Undercoat is known to come off easily, and if you are looking for long-term protection, it may not be the ideal product.
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The bedliner is thicker than the undercoat
A bedliner is twice as thick as an undercoat. If you are spraying the latter, you will need to spray at least several coats to achieve the same size thickness of the bedliner.
The thicker the undercarriage protective coating is, the more protection it will offer you.
Also, another perk of having a thick protective layer such as a bedliner is that it is great for dampening sound. You will therefore enjoy quieter rides.
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Undercoating remains in a gooey form, unlike bedliner, which dries into a hard surface
The main drawback of undercoating is that if applied incorrectly, it retains a gooey form for longer. This, therefore, makes it not durable. On the other hand, Bedliner dries into a hard surface even if you do something wrong during application.
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The undercoat is lighter and won’t affect vehicle performance
The bedliner has got a lot of impressive benefits. However, it’s thick and what that does is slow down the speed of your truck. If you enjoy driving light and fast, go with an undercoat.
How Are They Similar?
Both;
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Offer protection against rust
Rust is an undercarriage’s worst enemy. Most of the metal parts in your vehicle’s underside can rust easily when exposed to road salt and moisture.
No matter whether you use a bedliner or undercoat, you can be assured of rust protection. Both coatings stick to the undercarriage and prevent water and oxygen from coming into contact with the parts beneath your car.
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Keep dirt, debris, mud, and road salt from your undercarriage
The undercarriage is exposed to many contaminants. Other than causing rust, these can clog moving mechanical parts and cause significant damage to your vehicle. With a layer of undercoat or bedliner, you don’t have to worry about any of these things.
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Dampen sound
Sounds that are produced when the wheels hit the road can be annoying. If you install a bedliner or undercoating, you will enjoy quieter drives no matter how tough the terrain is.
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Require enough prep work and proper application
If you want either the bedliner or undercoating to last for longer, you must perform enough prep work. This entails cleaning the surface and repairing rust. You should also follow the manufacturer’s instructions and apply the product properly.
What’s Better about Undercoating?
Out of these two options, undercoating does have its perks. One, it offers protection from rust and other elements.
Secondly, it lessens road noise and makes your drives enjoyable. Thirdly, undercoating is much lighter than a bedliner. Therefore it doesn’t affect your vehicle’s performance.
What’s Better about Bedliner?
Bedliner, on the other hand, are thicker and more durable. It offers better protection against rust and the elements. It also lessens road noise and gives a more appealing finish. Bedliner will provide long-lasting protection to your vehicle’s undercarriage.
Who Should Undercoat Their Cars and Why?
An undercoat is an excellent choice if you are looking for a light coating that will protect your undercarriage without compromising vehicle performance.
The undercoat can remain gooey if not applied correctly. Therefore ensure you follow your manufacturer’s instructions.
Who Should Bedliner Their Undercarriages and Why?
Bedliner is the ideal undercarriage protective coating for cars that are exposed to rough terrains.
Thanks to its thickness, the bedliner can withstand impact from debris, exposure to mud, road salt, snow, and much more. Bedliner also leaves a decent finish which enhances the overall aesthetics of your car.
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