Lakes Region - Where is a shop that does car oil undercoating?

[BroadHopper]

Back in the days, my dad and my uncles use to coat all their construction vehicles with used crankcase oils before salt hit the roads. When DES outlawed using crankcase oils, they stop using it. In fact at the same time the town stop using crankcase oil on our dirt road. They used crankcase oil to keep the dust down.

So now you are saying they are allowing the use of oil on vehicles today?

Whatever happen to those rubber undercoating?

[Merrymeeting]

My brother, a car mechanic who's been in the car industry since working for BMW in the early years (after his BS), swears by using automatic transmission fluid as a rust prevennor. No comment on environmental impact...

[winnipiseogee]

I think now a days they use some sort of binding polymer. It lasts for a decade unlike the oil of old which had to be reapplied every year.

[MAXUM]

The old undercoatings such as Zebart was crap, in fact the stuff used to crack over time trapping water and salt against areas you want to protect thus making things rust worse. Probably why it's not used anymore.

Oil undercoating works awesome, but not exactly eco friendly to some. Today there are several alternatives to using regular oil, probably the most popular is a product called fluid film.

I oil my own vehicles and have found that straight weight gear oil works the best. It doesn't drip terribly bad, doesn't attack plastic or rubber and once applied stands up well over the course of a year but I do re-apply it every year. It makes a huge difference.

[TiltonBB]

Although oil undercoating may be less expensive 3M makes an excellent rubberized undercoating that is flexible and doesn't crack. One of the advantages is the additional sound deadening that you get. You can buy the 3M product in spray cans at auto supply stores and if you have a way to get your vehicle on a lift you could apply it yourself.

[dippasan]

I too treat the underside of my old Ford truck about twice/yr.
I use a large, cheap tarp (throw it out when done), drive the truck on it and use an old Wagner power painter to spray the oil. Takes me about 20 minutes and Works great.

[MOXIE]

I do a lot of oil undercoating. Fluid Film works ok, but is not cheap. I mix auto trans fluid with chainsaw bar oil. This mix lasts longer than anything else I have tried. If anyone says they can do the entire underside in half an hour they are not hitting all the frame, body, lines, ect. A good job takes time and is messy. I usually charge $150.oo and try to line up a couple to do together.
MOXIE

[HomeWood]

I've heard about ATF thinned with acetone works well. Thin it so a regular household spray bottle can spray it.

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by MOXIE

I do a lot of oil undercoating. Fluid Film works ok, but is not cheap. I mix auto trans fluid with chainsaw bar oil. This mix lasts longer than anything else I have tried. If anyone says they can do the entire underside in half an hour they are not hitting all the frame, body, lines, ect. A good job takes time and is messy. I usually charge $150.oo and try to line up a couple to do together.
MOXIE

I've tried both and I still think straight up gear oil wins out as the best. I do need to heat it up pretty good before applying it otherwise it won't spray. Driving down a nice dusty road after helps it stay stuck.

[BroadHopper]

Anyone knows of a commercial car wash that will also wash the bottom of your car? The nearest one that I know of is ManchVegas. It would be nice to have one in the Lakes Region to wash the salt off after an ice storm.

[LIforrelaxin]

I read these threads and often scratch my head. I have never oiled the under side of a vehicle. Never had an issue either.........

car#1 oldsmobile 1984 Delta 88 owned by my familiy for 10 years driven 200K miles and didn't have any issues....

car #2 1992 Buick Skylark, driven for 7 years, to 150K miles and didn't have any issues

car #3 1999 Buick Century driven for 5 years about 130K miles and didn't have any issues

car #4 2004 Chevy Silverado, driven for 7 years about 160K miles didn't have any issues

car #5 2006 Chevy Trailblazer, bought used had now for 3 years total of 120K miles and showing no issues.

Now am I just lucky? Or does routine washing through out the winter, and a heavy duty washing in the spring really help....

Most metals are treated these days during the construction of an automobile, the old techniques of oiling them doesn't seem to be needed. Not only do I see my track record, but also that of my father, brother, and other relatives and friends who gave up on the oiling of cars long ago....

Now I am not telling anyone to stop doing what makes them comfortable... just offering up an observation and opinion for others to chew on.... I drive my cars all winter long and put a considerable amount of miles on every year... I don't worry about treatment, I just run through the car wash at least twice a month through the winter, and do a hand cleaning in the spring.

[Happy Gourmand]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

I read these threads and often scratch my head. I have never oiled the under side of a vehicle. Never had an issue either.........

car#1 oldsmobile 1984 Delta 88 owned by my familiy for 10 years driven 200K miles and didn't have any issues....

car #2 1992 Buick Skylark, driven for 7 years, to 150K miles and didn't have any issues

car #3 1999 Buick Century driven for 5 years about 130K miles and didn't have any issues

car #4 2004 Chevy Silverado, driven for 7 years about 160K miles didn't have any issues

car #5 2006 Chevy Trailblazer, bought used had now for 3 years total of 120K miles and showing no issues.

Now am I just lucky? Or does routine washing through out the winter, and a heavy duty washing in the spring really help....

Most metals are treated these days during the construction of an automobile, the old techniques of oiling them doesn't seem to be needed. Not only do I see my track record, but also that of my father, brother, and other relatives and friends who gave up on the oiling of cars long ago....

Now I am not telling anyone to stop doing what makes them comfortable... just offering up an observation and opinion for others to chew on.... I drive my cars all winter long and put a considerable amount of miles on every year... I don't worry about treatment, I just run through the car wash at least twice a month through the winter, and do a hand cleaning in the spring.

I'm with you on this. Haven't had a rust issue with any car I've owned in the past few decades. I use a car wash with an undercarriage rinse in the winter, and in the spring, use a hose to thoroughly rinse the undercarriage.
Some car models were prone to rust and there is just about nothing you could do for those. I've never owned one of the rust prone vehicles.

[jrc]

Finally something I can do with that used motor oil. Seriously, I can't just pour the oil in the lake but I can spray it on my car and let the rain and snow wash it in the lake.

Now if I can just find a way to dump my trash out the car window a little at a time and save all those trips to the dump.

You guys are so much fun, I though you were serious.

[MOXIE]

I repair a lot of rusted frames, brake lines, ect. Since the New England states have been using calcium chloride with salt, the rust issues have gotten worse.
Not everyone can afford to drive cars and trucks that are newer than 10yrs. Some cars have rust resistant brake lines but not all.
To; jcr about oil in the lake, How many 2stroke outboards are on the lake?? For every 50 gallons of gas they burn, they dump 1 gallon of oil directly in the lake. I don,t like it any more than you do.
MOXIE

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by MOXIE

I repair a lot of rusted frames, brake lines, ect. Since the New England states have been using calcium chloride with salt, the rust issues have gotten worse.
Not everyone can afford to drive cars and trucks that are newer than 10yrs. Some cars have rust resistant brake lines but not all.
To; jcr about oil in the lake, How many 2stroke outboards are on the lake?? For every 50 gallons of gas they burn, they dump 1 gallon of oil directly in the lake. I don,t like it any more than you do.
MOXIE

I understand that many people can't afford new cars... I haven't always had new cars.... most of the cars I mention I bought used. Except of course my 2004 Silverado....

Things like brake lines and exhaust which fail due to corrosion, are part of normal maintenance on an older vehicle yes oiling those may get another year or two, but I think that most often you will find this practice doesn't buy you much more time. All cars I mentioned above had original brake lines and they where still in good condition.

The frame of the car is what you are most concerned with preserving... once again this is where regular undercarriage washes through out the winter pay off. Oiling may slow the rust some, but it isn't going to prevent it....

Last where did you get your figure of 50 gallons of gas equals 1 gallon of oil into the lake for a two stroke engine.... This is false.... I see your basing the idea on the ratio for most 2 stroke engines of 50:1..... The truth is the oil is mixed with the gas and burned. If someone is seeing large quantities of oil coming out of there two stroke exhaust something is wrong. I will admit two strokes aren't the most environmentally friendly engines. But they are not polluting machines either.

Bottom line here don't use a scare tactic, not based in FACT, to justify the practice of oiling the undercarriage of a car. Done right and away from the lake I don't have an issue with people oiling the underside of the car.... because yes a crap load of oil from roadways finds it ways into the water regardless. I just don't think it is necessary or as effective as people want to believe.

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

Last where did you get your figure of 50 gallons of gas equals 1 gallon of oil into the lake for a two stroke engine.... This is false.... I see your basing the idea on the ratio for most 2 stroke engines of 50:1..... The truth is the oil is mixed with the gas and burned. If someone is seeing large quantities of oil coming out of there two stroke exhaust something is wrong. I will admit two strokes aren't the most environmentally friendly engines. But they are not polluting machines either.

I love it when someone questions someone else's comment stating that they don't have any facts, and then they give their own opinion without any facts.

I would like to see where you get your facts that 2 stroke engines aren't polluting machines.
I don't know if they are or if they aren't, but if you are going to ask for other members facts then you need to provide us with some facts also.

Prove it that "this is false" about what MOXIE stated.

[MOXIE]

Facts or "Scare Tactics". I could care less if I ever oil another frame. It is the messiest job I do. It does not pay enough. I am positive that if you take down the front splash shield on your 04 Silverado and look at where the brake lines are secured to the frame with plastic clips, you will find a good bit of rust. I have a 03 2500hd (never plowed) and I just replaced all the lines (fuel lines also).
As far as 2stokes go, Watch a 2stroke start up cold, the smoke you see is not all heat. It is burnt oil, guess where it settles down too.
I don,t want to start a beef and I would not have responded to your reply, but your FACTS are false. Let it go, I refuse to go into a war just because I was invited. Peace My Friend, MOXIE

[DBreskin]

According to the article referenced below, up to 30% of 2-cycle oil is discharged into the water.

http://www.ukmarinesac.org.uk/activi...ion/r03_01.htm

[LIforrelaxin]

1st... Moxie I don't intend to cause a war feud or anything of the sort...

2nd.... I never claimed facts... I said don't use tactics not based in fact

3rd..... Based on an article posted here 30% of oil from a two stroke makes it to water.... so 30% of a gallon, is 70% less then 1 gallon.... and at 30% with an older outboard I would agree that this could be true....I argue that this is a huge difference.

So, my definition of a scare tactic, is taking a fact and glorifying it for a purpose.... And as I stated, outboards are not polluting machines.... they are not the best for the environment... and probably about as bad for environment as oiling ones car.......

I actually have no problem with the practice of oiling cars, I just don't see it as necessary.

[missedbass]

I have a Dakota pickup, olds minivan and a jeep that have had numerous brake lines replaced and the frames are in good shape. had an old Isuzu pickup with a rotted frame but the brake lines never needed replacement.

[Rusty]

Any Internal Combustion Engine that is fed by fossil fuel is a polluting machine.

Now back on topic.

I wouldn't waste too much time or money on undercoating any vehicle that you have. Most vehicle frames are coated with something when they are new and will last long enough before you get sick of the vehicle and trade it in.
IMO anyway.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by missedbass

I have a Dakota pickup, olds minivan and a jeep that have had numerous brake lines replaced and the frames are in good shape. had an old Isuzu pickup with a rotted frame but the brake lines never needed replacement.

Yep.... fully agree things rot and rust differently..... Toyota Trucks where once known for the beds rotting....

[songkrai]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

The frame of the car is what you are most concerned with preserving... once again this is where regular undercarriage washes through out the winter pay off. Oiling may slow the rust some, but it isn't going to prevent it....

Guess you are one of the "lucky" ones.

My pickup truck is 25 years old and still looks new. Thanks to oil undercoating and paste wax once or twice per year.

Too many never view the bottom of their vehicles. Rust starts day one.
My mechanic shop has two bays. When I get my vehicles serviced I look underneath my vehicle and any others that are in shop. It is amazing what the others look like underneath. Full of rust. The body may still be pretty.
Sadly, few customers look underneath their vehicles.

Yes, now the manufacturers do paint the inside of door panels. That does help.
Washing does help.

Bottom line, I see $25,000-$50,000 cars/suvs/trucks with lots of rust on the bottom.

The oil does prevent this.

And a clean underneath helps when time comes to sell or trade.

How many people even wax their cars anymore?

Yes, some have the fortune to buy a new vehicle every 3-7 years. And that is wonderful for them.

[songkrai]

Some have stated that cars don't rust anymore.

If these folks had the oil undercoating done or the Fluid Film. There would be no rust.

[fatlazyless]

.....gotta wonder....does www.irwinautobody.com do rustproofing or undercoating or whatever you call it?