Rustproofing and Undercoating Question...

sleeman24 · May 10, 2008

Did you have the rustproofing and undercoating applied to you vehicle?
How much did you pay?

I wouldn't mind getting it done, but my dealer said it would be $900 (CAD) for both! Sounds a little steep!
I am purchasing the vehicle and plan to keep it for about 10 years.

Please help!

Dmentd_Dan · May 10, 2008

guess I was lucky when I got mine because the dealer did it for free, they do all their vehicle for soundproofing and rust mitigation

homac · May 10, 2008

$900 !!! Oh my that is very high.

I took mine to Ziebart and they did the undercoating only for $290 incl GST. They had a more thick undercoating package for roughly $375 which provided soundproofing. As the Jeep did not seem loud inside I opted for the standard undercoating package.

I would avoid the dealer applied undercoating/rustproofing in most cases. They often take the vehicle to Ziebart or some other sub-contractor anyway. You are left paying a hefty premium to the dealer !

They will often mention Scotchguarding which makes even less sense, especially if you have the YES Fabric seats which specifically recommend against this.

If you opt for a premium rust proofing/undercoating/soundproofing it really should not cost more then $500. Anymore than that and you are padding someones pocket.

There is a debate as to the value of undercoating as most of the vehicle underbody and panels are treating with Zinc. Undercoating does help against rock chips that can damage existing protection on the underbody making it more vulnerable to rust.

Will H · May 11, 2008

The best time to talk about rust proofing is during the purchace it is almost always thrown in to clinch the deal. But like homac said with todays sheet metal protectants and also the use of plastics I think rust proofing is not as needed as one thinks.

Good car care (washing and waxing) and spraying off the salt during the winter driving months will extend the vehicles life. Sometimes the undercoating/rustproofing is just good peace of mind to some folks and there is nothing wrong with that.

sleeman24 · May 12, 2008

Will, I got the Employee Choice Program Discount so there was no haggling involved.
I could try telling him to drop the price or I'm taking it somewhere else?
My trade in was a 2000 Cavailer that was just starting to rust at the bottom of the doors.

mav0016 · May 12, 2008

Don't do it. I got it done. They did a very crappy job, made them redo it. They Don't spray everything like say Metropoliton would. They don't drill holes (said that makes it worse). I asked if I get a sprayed somewhere else like Metropoliton (where they do everything, drill holes, fill the doors with oil, etc) and it would void the dealers warranty which would only help it!

Save the money and spend $100 a year at a rust proof shop, they guaranty for the life of the car if you do it every year.

And if your in Canada like me (ottawa) you should do it somewhere.

Will H · May 13, 2008

Getting someone good to do the job can be tough to find (dealers???). I have seen where they have drilled the holes in the door jambs to spray the product in and start to rust after a year or two. Also seen if the wand is not pointing correctly when spraying in the door ending up with the goo on windows and the channels causing the window not to go up and down as easy. Not to mention clogging the drain holes at the bottom of the door (too much product)

Going to someone that mainly or only specializes in rust proof is the best opotion. Its not rocket science but then again some shlep who does one or two a month is not going to have the experince of a guy at a high volume store doing 3 to 5 a day. Ziebart is the way to go if you need rustproofing. I perfer just washing off the salt ASAP.

darseygodwin · Nov 28, 2008

Yea I'm in the same boat, my Pat arrives sometime in the next week or two, (ordered it in late September). The dealer says 900 bucks for the complete package, scotchguarding the already YES fabric, undercoating (thick enough for soundproofing too, they say), and paint protection. One dealer wanted to install one of those little electric anti-rust boxes in that. Ziebart quoted me 750 tax in, for paint and underbody protection. Another 500 for an automatic starter (cuz it's a 5-speed).

I'm more curious about the rust warranty. You need to get the pat checked out at the dealer every 1 or 2 years (forget which) within a 60 day window or the rust warranty is out the door. They didn't mention a cost for the inspection. I doubt ziebart will be enough for the dealer to accept for warranty purposes, but if your car's protected... what do you need it for?

ALSO!! I heard that you should carry a jar of Vaseline, (gf may not approve seeing it in the glove compartment haha) so if you get a rock chip on the road you can smear it on for a temp fix until you can get some paint on'r. Wikipedia also approves the technique!

themo · Nov 29, 2008

My 09 riot Sport is coming with Ziebart Vehicle Protectoin Pakage (rust proofing and Sound deadening as well as some sort of spill guard on the seats). very interested to see it when i pick it up in jan. cost $469 with military discount

Djeep · Nov 29, 2008

Try Krown

I took my Patriot to Krown. It was $135 including taxes and took about half an hour. They warranty against perforation, but you do have to get the treatment every year. Does the dealer give a warranty? Krown will add up to more than $900 over the years, but I think it's worth it if you don't want to drive a rust bucket. Is the dealer offering a one-time spray? I can't believe that a one-time dealer spray will stand up over time, so it makes sense that for good protection you need an annual application.

Krown will drill the sheet metal to spray inside, but they plug the holes. The stuff seeps into all the nooks and crannies.

Check it out at krowndotcom

(The board wouldn't let me write the URL properly because I don't have enough posts yet)

patriotpierre · Nov 30, 2008

What I did : no holes, just sprayed undercarriage at Ziebart with their penetr-oil product 45$ CAD taxes included. Really seals naked metal. Should last 2-3 years...will see. Most important is to have it done before undercarriage is covered by dust,sand tar.

Jeepva · Dec 2, 2008

In June when I bought my PAT, I contracted with the dealer to do a paint treatment on the Pat for $400. The product was Commodore. I took it back a few days later for the paint treatment. However, there was a miscommunication between the contract writer and the shop and they did a completed job on the PAT. Paint treatment with Commodore, the inside and also the undercoat. When I picked up the PAT I could not believe my eyes. The PAT looked a lot better with the paint shinning and inside so clean. They did a great job of undercoating as well. All for $400. You would not believe now much better it looked after the treatment than the day I picket it up. They only washed it the day I picked it up. I wasn't going to get the paint treatment figuring it was a just a profit thing for them. They said Chrysler does not cover acid rain but Commodore will for 5 years. So I went with it. I say it was the best decision I made for it really made the Patriot look better. I no longer have to use treatment on the dash or doors. No waxing for 5 years. It stays clean and shiny.

Hitzy · Dec 2, 2008

Djeep said:
I took my Patriot to Krown. It was $135 including taxes and took about half an hour. They warranty against perforation, but you do have to get the treatment every year. Does the dealer give a warranty? Krown will add up to more than $900 over the years, but I think it's worth it if you don't want to drive a rust bucket. Is the dealer offering a one-time spray? I can't believe that a one-time dealer spray will stand up over time, so it makes sense that for good protection you need an annual application.

Krown will drill the sheet metal to spray inside, but they plug the holes. The stuff seeps into all the nooks and crannies.

Check it out at krowndotcom

(The board wouldn't let me write the URL properly because I don't have enough posts yet)

Just got mine done yesterday with Krown as well. It's the best treatment as far as I'm concerned. They do drill holes, but it allows much better coverage in between panels then the competition. Holes are cleaned and plugged with rubber stoppers. Also the oil based spray like Krown is a better product then Ziebart or Mr. Lubes wax based product that is sprayed in the drain holes of your doors. It can plug them up trapping water inside. I used Ziebart and Mr Lube on my 1998 Cavalier and it rusted on the lower panels.....where the stuff was suppose to protect it. My mom just bought a 2001 Escape that the previous owner had Krowned every year, and there isn't a spot of rust on it, looks great.
Chrysler has the ****tiest rust warranty out of any company at 3 years.....pretty sad considering my 98 made in Mexico Cavalier had a 6 year rust warranty. I'll put my money into Krown for the rust warranty.
For undercoating I don't think it matters too much whether it's wax or oil based, but for in the doors and between the panels, oil is the way to go.

Hitzy · Dec 2, 2008

mav0016 said:
Don't do it. I got it done. They did a very crappy job, made them redo it. They Don't spray everything like say Metropoliton would. They don't drill holes (said that makes it worse). I asked if I get a sprayed somewhere else like Metropoliton (where they do everything, drill holes, fill the doors with oil, etc) and it would void the dealers warranty which would only help it!

Save the money and spend $100 a year at a rust proof shop, they guaranty for the life of the car if you do it every year.

And if your in Canada like me (ottawa) you should do it somewhere.

I gotta put a plug in for McConvilles on Montfort in Vanier. They do Krown treatment and will give you a loaner vehicle while it's being sprayed.

festerw · Dec 2, 2008

Said it before and I'll say it again FLUID FILM buy a gallon and spray it underneath. Fluid Film will protect just as well as any of the other treatments listed and will seep into any area, leaves a wet finish, stops rust, prevents new rust and will in no way harm paint or trap water.

dski · Dec 2, 2008

Very good festerw, I like take idea and I'm going to buy a gallon of it. have you used it before if so how long before you recoat again,or you don't have to?

festerw · Dec 3, 2008

I use about a half gallon to do my truck, recoat every fall. My battery terminals in the XJ were treated when the plow was installed, 4 years later the terminals are still wet from the original treatment.

frosty · Dec 6, 2008

sleeman24 said:
Did you have the rustproofing and undercoating applied to you vehicle?
How much did you pay?

I wouldn't mind getting it done, but my dealer said it would be $900 (CAD) for both! Sounds a little steep!
I am purchasing the vehicle and plan to keep it for about 10 years.

Please help!

I just ordered a new Chrysler vehicle this past month (Nov/08) and apparently the prices have changed for the Mopar rustproof/undercoat. I was told by the dealer that now the prices are set by Chrysler (due to warranty issues) and that the standard price of just the rustproofing/undercoating is $699 but that the dealer would charge me $499.
The dealers used to charge anywhere from $299 to $699 previously.

I always get my new vehicles rustproofed/undercoated at the local Chrysler dealer because we don't have a local Ziebart franchise and I don't like Krown because it tends to drip after it is done and you have to get it redone each year....

The local dealer has his own guy do it and he does a terrific job....and you get a lifetime warranty on rust for the vehicle...we have so much salt on the roads in the winter that it is really necessary to save the vehicle and have it done....

I would ask your local dealer for the $499 price or simply go to another dealer willing to do it for you at that price.....you don't have to get it done at the same dealer you bought your vehicle from....

Hope this helps....

Plumonium · Dec 12, 2008

Is you guys talking about the Master Shield Protection. It is a thick layer of black goo applied at most exposed part under the car. Other place is a thin layer of whiteish oil.

It that treatment worth it? I live in Quebec Canada where rust is a problem.

Rustproofing and Undercoating Question...

sleeman24

Dmentd_Dan

homac

Will H

sleeman24

mav0016

Will H

darseygodwin

themo

Djeep

patriotpierre

Jeepva

Hitzy

Hitzy

festerw

dski

festerw

frosty

Plumonium

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