Undercoating Your Inner Wheel Wells - How To !

[Chris07LB]

One of the things that bug's me about our cars, is the very noticable exterior color overspray in the inner wheel wells.
Now maybe because I own a Polar White, its a little more noticable then other exterior colors, but all the same, it needed fixing. :biggrin:

One can was enough to do all four wheel wells, and there was no need for heavy or second coats. One pass covers very well, and the spray of the coating was very easy to control.


I took my time, and removed one wheel at a time, being careful not to Undercoat any brake lines, plastics, springs, shocks, etc. Again, the control from this can's nozzel made the job very easy to get in and around tight areas.

Starting with the front drivers side.. BEFORE
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=720&stc=1&d=1152712816
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=721&stc=1&d=1152712816

Lots of overspray as you can see, and just ugly when looking at a side profile of the car IMO.

Cleaned the area up well, and Undercoated the front.. AFTER
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=722&stc=1&d=1152712816
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=723&stc=1&d=1152712816

Ah, much better! :clap:

Now moving onto the rear.. Before & After

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=724&stc=1&d=1152712816
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=725&stc=1&d=1152712816

I am letting the Undercoating "cure" overnight, as I did not need to drive it after I did everything today.
If you can go 12 hours, you should be fine. It was still a bit tacky after about 2 hours, and I didnt want to risk kicking up road grime, and having it stick to the fresh surface.


Next How-To? - Spring Install :thumbup:

[mochi63]

what happen to the picture?

[TRD_Yaris]

i think he's still busy adding them. Uploading pics and doing a DIY write up are a pain in the arse.
i'm anxious to see the results..it should reduce road noise JUST A bit.

[El Jefe]

so what brand of stuff did you use? i plan on doing this sometime, i bet it looks really bad when you have big wheels that you can see through

[03Z33]

Or you could just lower the car to get rid of the wheel gap:rolleyes: :laugh:

[Chris07LB]

YOU CANT SEE THE PICTURES???

They have been up and working since i posted. :iono:

Works fine for me.

[Chris07LB]

Please tell me if you can view the pictures yet :iono:

[johnnyfive]

can see pics fine, and nice work by the way ;)

[TC-LIFTBACK]

That's a great writeup. I'll do that at the same time I coat my calipers and drums.

Thanks Chris!

[Chris07LB]

You're Welcome. :smile:

Glad to see some excitement over the "little things." :cool:

I though most would deem it a complete and total waste of time. :rolleyes:

[JDMVitz]

Thanks for the article! Looking forward to your spring install!

[jcove]

You're Welcome. :smile:

Glad to see some excitement over the "little things." :cool:

I though most would deem it a complete and total waste of time. :rolleyes:

:clap: :thumbsup: :thumbup: :coolpics:
NOPE. Looks great. I was thinking of it, but I haven't had the time lately. I've been busy at work and at home, so I'm not on here much any more, just about once or twice a week. I was thinking of doing this, but now that I see it I'm motivated to get it done sooner!! Great work.

[Moose]

Awesome! I live on a dirt road and also drive a whitey, so this may be well worth it, especially if/when the aftermarket wheels get slapped on.

[Moose]

Well, I pulled my wheels off the other day to prep the area to do this, and it's already done! :cool:

Maybe the sedan comes with the coating stock whereas the LB doesn't? I dunno, but I'm not complaining.

[hhcchen]

for those cars that's been done...
could it be that it's just sedans...?
or does it include liftbacks with more options on...?
or could it be part of the winter area package...?

[Chris07LB]

for those cars that's been done...
could it be that it's just sedans...?
or does it include liftbacks with more options on...?
or could it be part of the winter area package...?

I have Cold Weather Package a.k.a. Winter Package, if they are indeed the same thing? :iono:

Either way, compare the pics above, and the choice is clear.

BTW - you could just use Black Exterior spray paint as well. :thumbsup:

[TRD_Yaris]

I have Cold Weather Package a.k.a. Winter Package, if they are indeed the same thing? :iono:

Either way, compare the pics above, and the choice is clear.

BTW - you could just use Black Exterior spray paint as well. :thumbsup:

yeah, but the black paint is not going to stand up against the constant barrage like the rubberized undercoating. plus, this should sound insulate the wheel wells just a bit more, if you consider that an improvemnt (c'mon! i love the sounds of rocks hitting my fender liners!!)

[Chris07LB]

yeah, but the black paint is not going to stand up against the constant barrage like the rubberized undercoating. plus, this should sound insulate the wheel wells just a bit more, if you consider that an improvemnt (c'mon! i love the sounds of rocks hitting my fender liners!!)

:bellyroll: ... It was just another option for those looking to change the look.. Black paint is good, Undercoating is better. :thumbsup:

[Chris07LB]

>< BUMP 4 THE NEWBIES ><

[SimmZ]

Wow! Freakin' nice job sir, it look awesome! :clap:

Just an IMPORTANT note for people interested to do like you. It's VERY important to coat metal parts when the car is brand new or very near. Because if you wait something like a year, even if it's invisible, metal parts begin to have some oxydation after a year of humidity, rain and snow. If you put a rubber coating on this metal parts, the oxydation process will continue under the coat of rubber and major rust will happen after.

That's same thing with anti-rust treatment, they must be done straight from the dealer when your car is brand new. If you wait a year to do it, rust will happen UNDER the coat of anti-rust treatment.

[Chris07LB]

<> BUMP 4 THE NEWBIES <>

[YamilR]

I've never seen that done...and I like it. Where can I get a can of undercoating?

[Katana]

Funny.In Europe we have some plastic covers that cover the body colour...

[redyaris]

I did this today. Took all of an hour to complete, one wheel at a time.

Here are some pics. Guys and gals, this is the easiest thing to do to make your car look better. Its in the details.

[Chris07LB]

Big mistake getting it on your muffler in the back.

Be very careful, with the type I used, it cautioned not to get even the smallest bit on the muffler (hot surface), as it can flash and cause a fire.

Hopefully this wont be the case with yours. :eek:

[redyaris]

Ouch!!! I was afraid of that. Can anything take it off??

[brickhardmeat]

it will probably just BURN off:evil: :laughabove:

ouch, boom

[Doc Zaius]

What about that big nut in the bottom right-hand corner of the fender? What if you ever have to get it off? Even though it would be visible afterwards, I think masking it off (and other movable hardware) might be a good idea... yes?

But still... looks much nicer... more "defined"! :thumbsup:

[cali yaris]

simply brilliant-- I'll have to do this.

[Speedz]

Toyota dont provide you with plastic inner fenders? Optional purchase?

Australian model at least have plastic fenders at the front wheel well...

Cheers

[Chris07LB]

Ouch!!! I was afraid of that. Can anything take it off??

If it was MY car, id take the 30seconds it takes to REMOVE the muffler from the car, and scrape/sand/lightly grind all that off.

[redyaris]

Cool...thanks Chris.

[Chris07LB]

No problem. Would just hate to see you chance it, and then post up your car burnt to a fine crisp or something. :tongue:

[Doc Zaius]

Just going through some of the replies on the previous page of this thread:

Just an IMPORTANT note for people interested to do like you. It's VERY important to coat metal parts when the car is brand new or very near. Because if you wait something like a year, even if it's invisible, metal parts begin to have some oxydation after a year of humidity, rain and snow. If you put a rubber coating on this metal parts, the oxydation process will continue under the coat of rubber and major rust will happen after.

Is that true? I've had this car for more than a year now. Both winters I've had it rust-proofed with an oil-based spray (Krown for you Canadians). I'd like to undercoat the wheel wells for cosmetics, but don't want to increase the chance of rusting. Thoughts from anyone?? :iono:

[YarisTom73]

This may not be right, but my understanding is that in order for rust to really penetrate, it needs a combination of air and moisture. By coating your metal, even bare metal, with something like undercoating, it prevents one or both of these things from being present, therefore slowing or stopping the rust process. :iono: So, better late than never, IMO.
Also, I've used the truck bed coating instead of the undercoating in the past, and I like it better because i think it's a little bit more scuff-resistant. But, I may be a crackhead, as it costs more. Good luck! :cool:

[Chris07LB]

read the label on the can pictured in post #1.

[QTvDWGbziqGjbkb]

nic3 work here Chris. i think i'll do it tomorrow... before raining season start.

quick question 4 anyone that did it already. did the undercoat dry pretty fast, like in an hour or will i have 2 wait one day before i drive my car?

[reznunt]

this is what i want to do to my floor after i take out the rear seats. hides the white paint! great idea thanks!

[Pitt Yaris]

hate to ttt this, but figured it's old and many haven't seen it. living in pa and dealing with crappy winters, i'm gonna do this in the summer as well as the undercarriage of the car. old car rusted big time..fuel line, brake line, exhaust, muffler.

[fuji]

I think if a product like Second Skin audio Spectrum or Quietcar was used to coat the wheel wells, it would work really well to get rid of road noise. I am planning on doing this.

[Meteorite_Marty]

Funny.In Europe we have some plastic covers that cover the body colour...

Same in Canada. The entire wheel well has black plastic housing that snaps in. You can even see the holes for the housing to snap into, in the spray project pictures people have snapped.

[Meteorite_Marty]

Toyota dont provide you with plastic inner fenders? Optional purchase?

Australian model at least have plastic fenders at the front wheel well...

Cheers

Same in Canada. The entire wheel well has black plastic housing that snaps in. You can even see the holes for the housing to snap into, in the spray project pictures people have snapped.

[Meteorite_Marty]

Here are some pictures of the front wheel wells. Maybe everyone has the same thing already. :iono:

Sorry for the filthy car. Everything is slush, grit, ice, and salt during winter here.

[cali yaris]

No rubberizing on my car, just white paint up under there. Not only is it ugly, but the undercoating will cut down on noise.

[rhyth]

Funny.In Europe we have some plastic covers that cover the body colour...
even for the rear fender?, i know my friends 2007 suzuki swift has them, where can i get them on the internet?

[rhyth]

Same in Canada. The entire wheel well has black plastic housing that snaps in. You can even see the holes for the housing to snap into, in the spray project pictures people have snapped.
even for the rear end like this

http://www.flickr.com/photos/74181049@N00/3749273060/in/set-72157621790761760/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/74181049@N00/3749272580/in/set-72157621790761760/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/74181049@N00/3749272218/in/set-72157621790761760/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/74181049@N00/3749272580/in/set-72157621790761760/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/74181049@N00/3748483667/in/set-72157621790761760/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/74181049@N00/3749270916/in/set-72157621790761760/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/74181049@N00/3749270440/in/set-72157621790761760/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/74181049@N00/3749271342/in/set-72157621790761760/

[jeeper5usa]

I used the canned Herculiner from Pep Boys, on mine over a weekend (2 coats), It looks great, and I even used the excess for the bottom underneath as well. I am well protected for the salty winter months here in Jersey!