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Underseal

Hi everyone, looking at underselling the Elgrand ASAP and doing the research thing called a few companies and I am about to book in. Just seen the Lanogaurd option, has anyone used it on here to offer a genuine opinion.
 
Erm meant underseal 😃😄😃😀 protective text again
 
May I add a comment, back in the early eighties I worked for a Suzuki dealership we got a letter asking how much salt was put UK roads especially in the North because their cars were rusting rather quickly in the UK. As a result of this they started using Tuf Kote Dinol on their cars. So yes I think it is important to get JDM imports rustproofed. At the moment I have Toyota bB Mk2 JDM which was undersealed by the selling dealer, I added to this us using Bilt Hamber products, I removed the rear tail lights to access the inner rear wheel arches to spray the cavity, removed rubber bungs at the bottom of the outer wheel arches and sill ends and sprayed in there then using Bilt Hamber underseal coated the edge of bung holes then replaced the rubber bungs to seal them. I have also removed the plastic plates inside the door openings to access the inner sills from the the top and spray with the cavity spray with a long probe. Finally spray underneath with a clear underseal. This was last September I looked the other day and it still seems ok.
 
Some great advice. Just picked up my new highway star this week. I say new. New to me, she's 17 year old. Will deffo have to look into getting this done
 
The Elgrand was made for Japanese roads only. Due to their climate, they don't need to salt the roads and therefore they don't need to worry about underseal.

In the UK, however, this is NOT the case. Salt will eat away at the chassis and destroy your pride and joy from the inside out.

When you get a fresh import, buy from a dealer or buy privately... you MUST ensure the underseal has been done.

If buying privately, I would get it re-done no matter what the seller says, as it's sold as seen. But if you buy from a garage you will be protected by some sort of trading standards.

Underseal is basically a product that is applied to the underside of the vehicle that prevents the metal from rusting when it comes into contact with the salt and moisture on our roads. It is VITAL for a long and problem free life for you Elgrand.

There are many options available, starting at around £80 for an "in & out" service. Personally, I wouldn't touch these with a barge pole.

The best options seem to be around the £400 mark. This includes dropping your vehicle off with a garage for 3-4 days. One the first day, they thoroughly steam clean the underside of your vehicle. Second day they apply the first layer of the treatment and leave it to set over night. Day 3 they apply another coat and leave to set overnight. Then you collect on Day 4.

Also, please note that underseal is only temporary. It is not a lifelong product (unless you pay extra for a product that has a life long guarantee!). The quick £80 jobs should probably be done twice a year, at the very least, once a year.

The more expensive jobs should be topped up every 4-5 years. Speak to the professional who does your treatment for their advice as these time scales will vary depending on the product you are using.

I know a few people who are JDM car freaks who pay the £400 for a proper treatment, then £80 for an in and out treatment, and then go back and get the proper treatment re-done every other year. One thing for sure is that they will crash their cars before they rust!
Tagging @Hilly - this thread should answer your questions about undersealing & prices 👍
 
Am looking to buy an Elgrand and wanted to know a good quality reliable place in the Bedfordshire area that can do a proper Undersealing job against rust protection as the summer months are ending soon....... Am happy to travel to the right place for the job to be done for my peaceful mind.
 
If anybody in the North West needs any help or advice on under body protection, I can help you. (I’m not touting for work by the way) I have 25 years experience in the body shop trade.
I’m after underseal on my Elgrand based in north west wales ?
 
Sorry Paul, couldn't resist that one. :)

Mine was undersold :) when I bought it but I took it to JR Classics to get all the cavities and crooks and nannys done too.

Sorry Paul, couldn't resist that one. :)

Mine was undersold :) when I bought it but I took it to JR Classics to get all the cavities and crooks and nannys done too.
Hi George322. I've been looking for places that do underseal near me for when I hopefully get an Elgrand. Jr classics are only 20min away. They have some really great reviews but seem to be a little pricey compared to what others have mentioned on here. Just wondering how you found them and how happy you are with their work overall?
 
Hello Chris. Mine's a 2003 3.5 NE51 camper conversion running on LPG so is 18 years old now.
When I bought it in Oct 2016 it had 48k on the clock.
It has 100k miles on the clock now so has not been sat idle as it is our daily drive too.
I took it to JR soon after I'd bought it . Four+ years later and not a sign of rust anywhere and the Ellie is always kept outside.
JR specialises in rustproofing Classic cars and that is what persuaded me to use them.
I have no idea what they charge now but many Ellies are already undersealed when you get them (mine was done by the company that imported it and converted it to a camper) so if it's just the extra bits that need doing then they should tailor a package and price for you as they did with me.
 
I have no idea what they charge now
Just checked out their website on the strength of your review - £990 for an Elgrand to be treated with Waxoyl incl cavities.

I am in the wrong job!

Given the sort of cars they treat, and the reputation I'm assuming they have, it's a premium price for a proper job. Out of my budget though, especially for something that will need touching up - looks like I'll be treating the Elgrand myself :-/
 
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Just checked out their website on the strength of your review - £990 for an Elgrand to be treated with Waxoyl incl cavities.

I am in the wrong job!

Given the sort of cars they treat, and the reputation I'm assuming they have, it's a premium price for a proper job. Out of my budget though, especially for something that will need touching up - looks like I'll be treating the Elgrand myself :-/
As someone who has been researching the undersealing religeously for the past few weeks the going rate is around a grand down south atleast and there isnt a load of places that do it.
For that money they say theyll fill the cavitys too usually with a rust converter primer.

The dinnitrol treatment seems more exspensive then a standard waxoyl but they are governed by the manufacturer to follow a set of standards. Which is why ill probably go with this.

Waxoyl treatments vary massively between garages, between the type of cover and cost you get which puts me off it, its a shame @Winchester has closed bookings otherwise I definitely would of seen him. Want to get it done before the winter sets in though.
 
Hello Chris. Mine's a 2003 3.5 NE51 camper conversion running on LPG so is 18 years old now.
When I bought it in Oct 2016 it had 48k on the clock.
It has 100k miles on the clock now so has not been sat idle as it is our daily drive too.
I took it to JR soon after I'd bought it . Four+ years later and not a sign of rust anywhere and the Ellie is always kept outside.
JR specialises in rustproofing Classic cars and that is what persuaded me to use them.
I have no idea what they charge now but many Ellies are already undersealed when you get them (mine was done by the company that imported it and converted it to a camper) so if it's just the extra bits that need doing then they should tailor a package and price for you as they did with me.
Thanks for the info. I like the fact that they are specialists so will probably head to them to get things checked over. I'd rather pay the money and get it right as I'm looking at it as a long investment.
 
As someone who has been researching the undersealing religeously for the past few weeks the going rate is around a grand down south atleast and there isnt a load of places that do it.
For that money they say theyll fill the cavitys too usually with a rust converter primer.

The dinnitrol treatment seems more exspensive then a standard waxoyl but they are governed by the manufacturer to follow a set of standards. Which is why ill probably go with this.

Waxoyl treatments vary massively between garages, between the type of cover and cost you get which puts me off it, its a shame @Winchester has closed bookings otherwise I definitely would of seen him. Want to get it done before the winter sets in though.
Bd1991 had a look on the Jrclassics website and they say they use WAXOYL as it's tried and tested but they can use DINITROL or DYNAX if that's your preferred choice. I don't know much about any of them tho.
 
Im not too sure either hence the research, as said above, Dinitrol has a set of manufacturer standards the garages have to adhere too so they can become an approved user and be on their services list.
This generally means you will get a good quality treatment so long as the garage adhere to the set of standards, or so I would like to think.

Ive also never heard any seriously bad things about a dinitrol treatment, ive heard lots about waxoyl though, which is honestly more the user then the product in this case, as its definitely a proven product.

I would go for either if the garage was reputable enough, and the price was right, and lets say they were a dinitrol approved garage AND they done waxoyl too, I would probably go with whatever was cheaper, undersealing is a treatment with an expiry date, it will need keeping on top of.
 
I have restored cars most of my life & have always used Dinitrol treatment over the years, yes its more expensive but found did very well at keeping rust at bay. Waxoyl was good in its day but there is better products out there now, UPOL Raptor is getting popular with under sealers & DIYs at present it's a Urethane protective coating (paint) for use on truck beds.

Going give it a try when I eventually get my bus.

Pictures below are of my Scooby after 15 years of daily use. Undersealed with Dinitrol from new.
u seal  2.jpg
u seal 3.jpg
u seal 4.jpg
 
Another really useful tip. Spend a bit beforehand and save a lot later…
 
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