sorry - sure this came up loads before but no search and no FAQ so:

Do Jap greys have underseal and same corrosion protection as UK market Scoobies?

Thanks

Adrian

 

IM apply extra underseal to combat our 'harsh' climate alledgedly.

It's not that much better in Japan is it?

A lot of people see this as unnecessary and just an opportunity for them to give you a body warranty that requires regular and expensive servicing to maintain!

I would say that some extra underseal wouldn't go a miss though as it could provide a little extra sound deadening! But I did not do it myself (Euro Import)

As for it's real purpose?

You could argue that an initial application of underseal would become a liability if not properly maintained as it is possible for water and salt to get trapped between the metal and the underseal leading to worse problems.

Therefore if you do it, you might as well do it right. It is not a once and for all treatment IMO.

If I have a five year old car and intended on keeping it for a while I would want to have a good look underneath for any potential problems and deal with them rather than the blanket approach to covering everything in some 'orrible thick goo!

P.S. I am too young to know much aout Ziebart etc but remember and old Alfa that I had supposedly had it done but it still rusted away from underneath me.

Most of us who buy new or nearly new cars don't need to bother too much about it but it would be a problem (for the next generation of Scooby owners) if 10years+ down the road, our cars are sent off to that gravel trap in the sky just because of our short-term attitudes.

Just my opinion!

 

THanks Stephen.

 

From 'knowledge' I've picked up from other Jap imports, the sealing they do there is laughable. There basically isn't any - you rely on the metal treatment. There's a company in the Reading area - "before-n-after" that does rust-proofing & nothing else. It's seems to be mainly set up to do old cars, but a treatment's a treatment, I suppose.
I don't have any personal experiences of the place, but have only heard good things about it. Might be worth looking into?

 

How abt those Jap spec cars that have 'cold climate option'? Those cars are sold in Hokkaido and it seems that they have more powerful electrics. Do they have underseal on those cold climate spec cars?? Cos Hokkaido's weather is much harsher than UK weather.

 

Jap cars only have to last 3 years

Another reason to watch out for 'Grey' Imports!!

Pete

 

I had extra undersealing done on my STI V5 when I imported it in 1999. Cost was £200.

 

Mine had extra undersealing already done and I waxoil it every year (I do it myself as well )

 

Have a MY93 with no added proteciton, the reasons being:-

- The paint under the arches is designed to be resistant to stone chips - and unusually for a Subaru, it is.
- I feel that waxoil can lead to problems being hidden if not applied correctly

I hose my arches regularly to keep them clear of any muck, and after 2 years on UK roads, show no signs of any problems.

Come to think of it, anyone seen a rusty Scoob?

 

Agree with the possible problems being hidden by waxoil if not done properly, I do mine under full instruction of some very nice people who let me use the garage for nothing

Make sure it is applied correctly

 

Problem is not particularly our weather but the potash/salt which is highly corosive. Do not know what the Japanese do but some European countries do not salt their roads.