Just picked up a 2012 wrangler jku arctic and was wondering if I should get the underside rust proofed? I live in Chicago , a city that lays down salt. I never had any of my vehicles treated. Any thoughts ?

 

I don't think it's necessary to rust proof any more. I think the coatings from the manufactures are sufficient. I haven't seen a car or truck rust out underneath in years unless it's parked in grass for long periods of time.

 

The warranty from the factory is 10 years on rust. That is what my dealer told me at least. Will you have it longer than 10 years?

 

I would get in undercoated, you probably spent $30K or more on your new Jeep and why let it get all rusty underneath in one winter. I live in northeast ohio and the winters are very salty. I had my new '08 X undercoated before I picked it up. Manufacturers put on the thinest coat of paint possible to save money and the salt will eat right through and in one winter the frame, axle, crossmembers and other underside frame pieces will be rusting. Each spring I crawl underneath, scuff up rust scabs and repaint. I can't stand seeing a rusty undercarriage when the rest of the body is shiny. Remember the warranty from factory is ten years of a complete rust hole not just surface rust.

 

Thanks! Getting the underside coated for cost 125.00 from a guy at the dealership . Piece of mind. The arctic is awesome .

 

X2 on undercoating, ~$250 the first time and $30-50/year Totally worth it

 

Definitely agree on keeping it undercoated and disagree that the factory does a good job on them. I guarantee I can drive to my local Jeep lot and find surface rust on every JK frame/ axle they have there. That's not a bad price you guys are paying/have paid either. I personally do my vehicles myself with the same undercoating they use at the dealership that in my area cost $600-$700 for about $50 bucks and renew it every year. I hate seeing a vehicle that looks great body wise but when you see it underneath looks like the Titanic. You will also have people tell you that all undercoating does is seal moisture underneath it which is totally not the case.

 

Check out "Rust Cop " it's a yearly treatment of the under carriage and interior body panels. In my salt belt, the school bus fleets use it.Otherwise, brake,fuel lines are gone in 10 years or less. Anyone see what happens to TJ frames when rust takes hold?

 

Get the undercoat. I had mine and my wife's done. I used to do it myself but now i bring it to a place where they use really good stuff and do a great job. It cost 375 for hers this year and 325 for mine 1.5 years ago.

Btw the factory coatings are not great. I bought a 1yr old ford ranger a few years back that sat at a dealer for months without rinsing salt off. Entire undercarriage and frames had surface rust. I only bought it because it was cheap, but i had to spend hours wire brushing, sanding, priming, undercoating.