A cost-effective approach to extending the life of automobile bodies.
Prior to the 1980s, it was common for cars to rust. The lower doors and rocker panels were usually the first to go, followed by the floor pans, wheel wells and bumpers. Even the hood, deck lid and the roof were not immune. Aftermarket companies sprang up to “undercoat” cars to prevent rust. Automakers followed suit and offered undercoating as an option as they sought a solution.
Next came modern sealer technologies, which offered the opportunity to prevent corrosion in the places where it was most prevalent. This was far better than aftermarket solutions, which involved drilling holes and installing plugs after spraying. Sealers were incorporated into both the design and the manufacturing process. First applied manually, the sealers were an improvement, but still were unreliable.