Under body coating - Is it necessary ?

I own Tata Indica DLS for the last 3 years. I haven't done the under body anti rust coating till date. The car was in Chennai for 1.5 years and later I brought it to Pune. I would like to know if I have to do under body anti rust coating in Pune. I hear from people that it is necessary only in coastal areas as the corrossion would be high. Is it true ? Can anyone guide me in the right direction ?

Yes its correct that under body coating is required in coastal areas. Since you have already lived in chennai ...what ever damage (If any at all) was there to happen might have happened . So do not worry ...in pune it rains a lot (Not raining as per expectation this year ) so there can be a need for this...but i do not think that it will be necessary as pune is not that humid.

Under-body coating helps in long run.

you spent 100 times that money on the value of the car, and keep spending twice that money on insurance. Every 2 servicings of the car costs you the same money, as does a stay for a single night in a decent hotel at a hill station.

Why should one weigh the underbody coating so much for VFM considerations, when quite a lot of our expenses are undertaken with much less scrutiny for VFM?

Sorry for being provocative, but I wanted you to think of underbody coating as automatically required. Done once, it will keep the underbody rust-free for quite some years, effectively lengthening the time you can use the car for, before it starts to fall apart due to rust.

It will also help significantly resale value, and the underbody will look much better in shape for the prospective customer/surveyor/valuer.

rightly put krishna ...agree with you fully

Hi Krishna, Your statement was indeed provocative. But your point is clear. I will get the underbody coating done for my car next weekend. Thank you so much.

My pleasure! don't forget to ask for the free coats coupons/agreements from the dealer (nobody told me when I got my car done, because I was not on CW forums then )

I think generally you get two free coats or something like that. Somebody else around must know better... Wotsay guys?...

Very Well said Krishna. (wrt post #4)

Aapke bolne ka style ko bhi maan na padega.

Last but not the least, the disclaimer was a nice thought.

Free subsequent coats are generally not available/required.  It comes with 3-5 year warranty that will take care in case of need.

I enquired about underbody coating with TASC. He is quoting Rs.3500 for 3M. He is offering 5 years warranty along with it. Is this rightly priced ? If anyone is from Pune, Kindly help with the rates.