What are the drawbacks of applying chassis armor to a new car?
2 Answers
Chassis armor is a special elastic rubberized material, but applying it to a new car can easily damage the paint. Below are the functions of chassis armor: Impact Protection: After installing car chassis armor, it can prevent gravel from impacting the chassis, thereby protecting the car's underbody. Corrosion Resistance: In southern regions with frequent rainy seasons, acid rain can easily splash onto the car chassis during driving. Over time, this can corrode the car's underbody. Additionally, residual wastewater from each car wash can further corrode the chassis. Installing car chassis armor can prevent such corrosion. Heat Insulation: In hot weather, the car chassis can easily conduct heat into the cabin. Installing car chassis armor can block this heat, maintaining the interior temperature and reducing fuel consumption.
Having worked in the car dealership for nearly a decade, I've seen many customers returning for repairs after getting undercoating on their new cars. The most frustrating issue is the difficulty in controlling construction quality. Some small shops spray too thickly, even clogging the chassis ventilation ports, causing engine overheating alarms during summer highway drives. Then there are those who hit the road before the coating dries, allowing mud, water, and gravel to embed in the uncured layer, which ends up scratching the original rust-proof coating. Not to mention some low-quality undercoating materials that soften when heated, peeling off entirely after two years of driving and making the driveshaft creak. Additionally, new cars already come with galvanized layers and rust-proof wax on the chassis. Adding undercoating is like putting a raincoat over another raincoat—a waste of money that adds over ten pounds of weight, completely unnecessary for city driving. If you must get it, choose water-based eco-friendly materials, and remember to remove the wheel liners and chassis guards for proper spraying.
