How long does it take to drive after applying car undercoating?
2 Answers
How long it takes to drive after applying car undercoating depends on specific circumstances, with key factors including the craftsmanship level, quality and performance of the protective coating, and weather conditions. Normal driving can only resume after the protective coating has completely dried. The drying process can involve natural air drying after spraying or using fans to enhance air circulation for faster drying. Generally, fan-assisted drying saves more time than natural drying, but it may negatively affect the uniformity of the coating film. Before applying undercoating, the car must be lifted with a jack and the undercarriage cleaned to remove dirt, rust layers, and moisture. It's important to note that areas such as the exhaust system, suspension, and brakes should not be sprayed. These parts need to be covered with materials like newspaper. A specialized undercoating spray gun is then used to evenly apply the undercoating product to the undercarriage, followed by natural drying.
Last time I had the undercoating sprayed, the technician specifically told me to wait at least four hours for the surface to dry completely. However, to achieve the best results with full curing, it's best to leave the car for a day or two before driving it. Especially now that the weather is hot, the surface dries quickly under the sun, but the underneath remains soft. If it gets scraped by stones, all the effort will be wasted. I recommend bringing the car in for service on a weekday evening so you can pick it up on the weekend for the safest option. Also, avoid gravel roads for the first few days after picking up the car, as the newly sprayed undercoating can easily get chipped off. Remember to keep the windows open for ventilation—the smell right after spraying can give you a headache, but it will dissipate significantly after a couple of days.
