The article is contributed to Motoring World by Krishna Gowdaman, Application Engineer at Automotive Aftermarket Division, 3M India.
The rainy season, though a welcome respite from the scorching summer, brings with it a plethora of health issues. During the monsoon, you take adequate measures to protect your health. Your car, an extension of your existence, is no exemption from the ill effects of rain.
When talking about rain care for cars, the first response from most people would be, “No, I have already spent a lot of money on my car.” We say that’s exactly the reason why you should go for protection for your car during the rainy season. Besides, rain care for cars is not as expensive as it used to be.
What your car needs during the season is three-fold protection:
1) Protection for the exterior from direct showers,
2) Underbody treatment to protect the underbody, silencer, engine and other parts from rust, muck, and stone splinters, and
3) Internal panel protection to shield door panels, frame panels, and inaccessible inner cavities.
Out of the three, underbody treatment is the most essential yet the least sought-after by car owners. The car’s underbody is most exposed to the damages of rain, including muck, muddy water, and even saltwater in coastal cities. Potholes and its side-effects – stone hits and chipping – are also common.
The anti-corrosion- technology-based products used for underbody coating protects the underbody, silencer, engine and even the minutest of parts from rust, corrosion, and chipping. During the process, the engine compartment is cleaned with water, degreased and engine coat is uniformly sprayed to protect the engine from dirt and ageing. Similarly, the silencer is also coated to protect it from corrosion. In addition to protection, the durable underbody cover works as a barrier and makes hosing and maintaining the underside easier.
Experts believe that the coating can significantly reduce troubles that arise out of bad maintenance. Leading car detailing companies often offer 2-year or 5-year warranty on underbody coating, depending on the kind of service chosen.
As important as the underbody coating is the internal panel protection. It’s ideal for new cars to keep the door panels rust-free. However, it’s not as widely used as the protection mechanisms for other parts of the car. Most people limit rain protection for their car to just exterior protection and underbody protection. What they forget is that the doors have more chance of water getting stuck inside through the drain holes below, leading to rusting cars and often, it won’t be noticed until the damage is done.
Exterior protection of the car is usually done with diligence by most people. In addition to providing protection from rain and sun, exterior protection ensures the removal of minor scratches, giving your car a glossy look. However, here the problem is choosing a trustworthy brand or service provider for doing the work. Many are often duped by sub-standard work or brands. The trick is to stick to brands and outlets that hold a proven track record.
So, don’t postpone pampering your car just because it’s the monsoon. It’s not a bad time to do car treatments. Protection is the word!
