undersealing?

Barr

Hi All

Probably a silly question but how can you tell if a car was undersealed?

I am planning on buying a Skyline from a private buyer in Ireland.It was originaly a Jap import imported into the UK where I think its spend the last few years.

Im afraid the salt on the Uk motorways will corrode the underbody eventually

Anan1

You should be able to see by looking under the car, underseal is pretty thick stuff. That said, i'd strongly advise having such a car looked at by a competent mechanic before committing to buy.

TomMc

If waxoyl/hammerite or such like was applied under wings, inner wheel arches etc it would be a rubberised coating of sorts, fairly smooth to the touch - most probably in black. Some sealants are colourless though. They can be painted or sprayed on. The one you paint is a bit like tar when been applied and dries to a chip-proof seal. If treated these areas would tend to wash much cleaner with a power hose and have much less crap (grit, debris) stuck on, compared with an untreated car. A magnet would probably highlight whether there is a thick coating of sealant or just bare or painted metal showing.

maidhc

Most modern cars have plastic wheelarch liners, and are well rust proofed by the manufacturer. They also tend not to have the same moisture traps as old cars.

MercMad

Yes but most Jap spec cars are devoid of underbody protection !