Your Undercarriage's First Line of Defense Against Snow and Salt
When people think about keeping a clean vehicle, they immediately think about the paint correction or an interior detail. And for many car owners who don’t live around New Hampshire or Maine, that’s all they need to worry about. But for those that go through the snow and salt seasons, you also need to protect the underside of your car that’s just as critical, or even moreso, than the paint or interior.
Our professional undercoating helps block out moisture, salt, and other corrosive elements that can eat away at your vehicle’s frame which helps to extend its life and preserve its value.
What’s The Difference Between Rustproofing and Undercoating?
Do you need one or the other? Should you get both? Is it even worth it? If you’ve ever wondered whether rustproofing or undercoating is right for your vehicle, you’re not alone. We get this question all the time. The answer depends on where you live and what you go through, but for us, where winter brings plenty of snow, ice, and road salt, it’s an easy decision to make.
First, it’s important to understand what each service does. The goal of rustproofing and undercoating is to help prevent corrosion from the natural process that begins when metal is exposed to moisture and oxygen. Newer vehicles offer some factory protection, but it wears off over time and that means you’re leaving your car vulnerable to rust, especially during harsh winters.
We can’t avoid rust. It’s a problem we’re all going to face as we drive. But you can be proactive about it and make sure you’re protecting your vehicle against it. While some areas of your car can be easily protected, others parts remain completely exposed and prone to rust. That’s where combining rustproofing and undercoating really makes sense.
Rustproofing targets hard-to-reach spots inside the vehicle’s panels, while undercoating defends the underside from salt, gravel, and moisture. To get the best of both worlds, don’t think of them as separate solutions, but rather, a proactive combination to give you the best layer of defense. Together, they offer complete protection.
Exterior Detailing Services To Keep Your Vehicle in Great Condition
At Fine Shine Auto Spa, we take pride in our work. From paint correction to interior and rustproofing, our goal is to deliver outstanding results. That’s why we’ve earned dozens of 5-star reviews from happy customers on Google.
Between the harsh winters, road salt, and the everyday road grime, your car’s exterior takes a beating. A quick wash doesn’t always cut it. Our exterior services are designed to not only clean your vehicle but also protect it for the long haul.
Paint Correction: Swirls, scratches, and oxidation can diminish the gloss in your paint. We polish the imperfections to restore the glossy paint.
Ceramic Coating: Add long-term protection with a slick, hydrophobic coating that makes washing easier and repels dirt and grime.
Interior Detailing: This is the perfect solution for your interior when it needs a deep cleaning. We shampoo carpets, seats, floor mats, and clean all plastic and leather surfaces to remove grime, stains, and spills.
Odor Removal: We reduce and eliminate unpleasant odors from smoke, pet smells, or food spills. We achieve this by targeting the source with a deep cleaning and ozone treatment. We don’t mask any odor, we remove them.
Headlight Restoration: Improve visibility and improve the overall appearance of your vehicle. We wet sand, polish, and protect your headlights.Â
Engine Bay Cleaning: Perfect to prepare for a resale or simply for maintenance. We safely clean and dress the top-level surface of the engine to bring it back up to standard.
Exterior Detail: A great service to do once or twice a year. This includes wheel and tire cleaning, hand wash, clay bar treatment, and sealant for protection and shine.
Boat Detailing: Boats see tough conditions and we help maintain them with thorough cleaning and protection for both water use and off-season storage.
RV & Motorcycle Detailing: Road trip coming up? Whether it’s an RV or a bike, we’ll prep your ride and get it dialed in for you.
Fleet Washing: For businesses with large fleets of trucks, vans, or any kind of vehicles, our mobile fleet service keeps your image sharp and clean.
We don’t have a one-size fits all approach. We adjust our services based on your vehicle’s condition and your goals.
The best part? We come to you! No shop drop-offs. No waiting rooms. We bring high-quality detailing services to your home or office location on your schedule.
We service customers throughout Somersworth, including Wells Maine, Berwick Maine, Kennebunkport Maine, Kittery Maine, North Berwick Maine, Newmarket, Durham, Farmington, Sanford ME, Lebanon ME, Biddeford ME, Eliot ME, Barrington, Dover, Lee, Madbury, Milton, Rochester, Strafford County, Rockingham County, Alton, York Maine, South Berwick Maine, Berwick Maine, Hampton, Rye, Manchester, Auburn, Raymond, Hooksett, Newmarket, Wolfboro, Meredith
Rustproofing and Undercoating FAQs
What is rustproofing?
Rust proofing targets specific areas of your vehicle where rust is most likely to start like the fenders, tailgates, and other moisture-prone spots. It’s applied using a protective wax that reaches tight spaces where rust tends to take hold. This treatment is ideal for preventing rust in vulnerable, hard-to-reach areas that often get overlooked.
What is undercoating?
Undercoating is a full-body defense for the underside of your vehicle. It involves spraying a wax or rubber-based coating across the undercarriage, including the frame, wheel wells, and floorboards. This helps shield your vehicle from road salt, water, mud, and debris kicked up while driving. Even though the underbody isn’t visible, it takes a daily beating and is highly susceptible to corrosion.
What’s the best time to get this done?
The best time to get undercoating done is in the spring or early fall. This allows your vehicle to be treated before or after the harshest winter conditions, giving it a strong barrier against road salt, moisture, and grime.
Can undercoating be done if there’s already some rust on the vehicle?
Yes, undercoating can still be applied if your vehicle has light surface rust. In fact, some products are designed to bond to rusted areas and help slow down further corrosion. However, if there’s heavy rust or structural damage, additional prep work will be needed.
Can you do the service if I don't have a garage?
Absolutely. Many undercoating services are mobile and can be done at your home or workplace as long as there’s enough space to work and the weather allows.
Is this a permanent treatment, or will I need to redo it each year?
Undercoating is not permanent and typically needs to be reapplied every 12 to 18 months, depending on driving conditions. Annual maintenance helps ensure the coating stays effective, especially in Maine’s harsh winters.
Protect Your Vehicle For The Winter
Don't wait until it too late to protect your vehicle! Click the link to get a quote and book in your detail.