I live in Chicago, where the roads are salted constantly and I was wondering what you guys thought about getting an undercoat on my S2k. I was looking for info on what undercoats do, if they work, if they're worth the money, that kind of stuff...
Oh, and I don't know if this matters or not, but the undercoat that I was looking into is from an aftermarket guy and not from the dealer.

Thanks in advance for any replies

 

The only undercoat treatment you will ever need for the S2000 is fresh water.If you have driven on salty roads this winter just wash it off with the garden hose. Get underneath (on your knees) and give the entire undercarriage a good wash. Do this with the engine running and it dries in no time. The metals used by Honda on our S2000 bottoms is of very high quality.

 

I agree with Red Beauty. Before moving to TX live in MN the land of 6 months of winter and more salt than the Atlantic Ocean. Had the car washed at least once a week and ensured that they had the "under carriage" wash. No rust on my TransAm in 5 years.

 

i recently saw an s2000 under dealer showroom bright lights and as I approached the car it looked like silver foil all over the car. I actually got down on my knees to look at it. It really disturbed me.

 

From what I've seen (especially dealer undercoatings), the treatments are a "quick and dirty" process that can undercoat everything, including your brake rotors; be careful. Do the rinse as mentioned above.

 

I would agree with the above, the aftermarket undercoats serve more to deaden sound than they do to protect from rust, some of them can even cause problems because if they start separating from the paint they will trap moisture between the undercoat and paint. The real protection is in the metal which has a high content of nickel and is galvanized. And the e-coat or primer coat from factory which is electro statically applied.

 

I oppted to get the undercoat mostly for sound deadening benefits....it may have been a bad choice thinking about it now but "Oh well" it's done deal! I did however supervise the guy who applied it so he did a good job.

 

I opted for the undercoat mostly for sound since my Stook never sees rain or snow and I think it made a great difference in road noise. If you're looking at a Ziebart or similar process they wash and rinse the underside, dry it and then the next day apply their product. It's thin. bonds like iron and hard, no gooey stuff here. Can't help but think it's got to protect whatever it's bonded too. I spent $150 for it and would spend it again, just MHO.
Mark
01 TheBlackBeast#0090

 

I wonder how much weight it adds?

 

Today all Hondas are well engineered and treated for rust prevention. Adding aftermarket sprays might actually exacerbate rust formation by blocking drainage holes as these rubberized compounds flow in and around body panels and the undercarriage. The trapped water and salt can result in premature rusting. Some manufacturers will even void rust warranty if aftermarket applications are used.