GEN 4 Jimny undersealing

The Gen.4 Jimny only seems to roll of the production line with stone-chip rubberised paint protecting the underside. I doubt any off the major manufactures add additional rust protection. Dinitrol is just a brand, there are many other great rust proofing solutions out there (Bilt Hamber is my personal favourite). The professionals that offer these under-body treatments do a great job don't get me wrong. But boy do they charge you for it! Plus the black/brown tinted waxes that they use look pretty unattractive, Especially if you've just bought a gleeming new Gen. 4. I had this treatment done on my '98 BMW Z3 by a local specialist, It ruined the immaculate underside!

www.bilthamber.com/corrosion-protection-and-rust-treatments

I'll be buying some Bilt Hamber Dynax UC (which is clear, but otherwise the same as the Dynax UB - brown) and applying this stuff up on drive-up DIY ramps once a year.

I had mine Dinitrol coated as well. Not sure how necessary it will be, certainly the bare metal rock 'chip' I got on the bonnet didn't show any hint of rusting, so I'm guessing the panels at least are galvanised.

I had mine Dinitrol'd and the smell only lasts a couple of days. I didn't have the inside done though, just the under body and arches. I think it is a worthwhile investment if you plan on keeping the Jimny.

Thanks for all your comments, very useful. I think the general view is that the factory undersealing is inadequate. Certainly there are significant areas on mine that seem to have been missed completely and in vulnerable areas and I can't see how this car won't rust badly unless it is thoroughly washed underneath every week religiously. I tend to think it is good advice to forget the warranty and get it undersealed. I agree with the thorough approaches described above and would be nervous about entrusting this job to a third party... it must be tempting to scrimp on the prep and dismantling for a superficial covering and thereby speeding throughput. Not sure I'm up to all the faff around dismantling trims etc so next question is whether anyone can recommend a firm who can be relied on to do this thoroughly (Scotland or N England)
Micheal

Think carefully about what you are trying to achieve - if the Jimny is assembled from zinc coated steel, then adding 'underseal' will have a very limited impact on the speed at which the underlying steel rusts. It will offer some barrier to stone chips and for some folk might be more attractive cosmetically. Any anti-corrosion properties are not reaching the steel itself - they will sit over the factory applied finishes. Little harm in applying any of the off-the shelf 'waxy' type finishes but the jury might be out for a long time before the benefits are realised. I've sprayed a few vehicles myself - lack of trust in commercial applicators. If you are comfortable using a £1 household plant sprayer and have a can of your favoured material - then you can do it yourself and know it has been thoroughly done. The Jimny is a small vehicle so I don't see it being a big job - could be a bit messy though!

Approach I usually take - Pick a warm dry day - Stick car on ramps - thoroughly clean the underside and then leave to ensure it totally dries off. Cover ground with an old sheet and wear a paper/disposable boiler suit and a face mask. Add your coating material to spray (thinned as recommended) and just methodically work your way around - avoiding exhaust and brakes. On a warm day it sprays/penetrates/coats/sticks much easier. Avoid really thick coats but accept it will probably run/sag/drip in places. It will smell for a few weeks and you might get a few drips on a hot day or from areas that heat up. You will really learn/understand your Jimny by the time you finish and every year you can respray over a few areas where it might 'wear off' - usually where the wheels spray rainwater, snow or mud up. Upon completion dispose of your overalls/drip sheet responsibly and don't smoke or you might need the fire brigade.