How Under Gone Works: A Different Approach to Rustproofing

Most soft undercoatings work on a simple principle: create a barrier between the metal and the moisture, oxygen, salt, and brine that cause corrosion.

Under Gone takes that idea a step further.

Instead of relying only on a physical barrier, Under Gone is designed to interact with corrosion that's already present, help stabilize that rust, and then leave behind a durable calcium-sulfonate-based protective coating.

For vehicles that have already spent several Nebraska winters on the road, that's an important difference.

How Does Under Gone Work?

Under Gone is a soft, rust-converting undercoating designed especially for vehicles that already have some existing corrosion.

It isn't paint or a rubberized coating, and it doesn't cure into a hard shell.

Its formulation includes phosphoric-acid-based rust-converting chemistry. Phosphoric acid reacts with iron oxides and helps convert existing corrosion into more stable iron-phosphate compounds.

Put simply, Under Gone doesn't just cover existing surface rust. Its chemistry is designed to interact with it and help move it into a more stable condition.

Of course, no coating can replace metal that's already gone. Heavy scale and loose corrosion still need to be removed during preparation. The goal is to stabilize the corrosion that remains and help prevent it from continuing to spread.

Calcium Sulfonate Provides the Protection

Rust conversion is only one part of the formula.

Under Gone also uses overbased calcium sulfonate, corrosion-inhibiting chemistry known for adhering strongly to metal, resisting water, and protecting steel in harsh environments.

That gives Under Gone a two-part approach:

Address the corrosion already there, then protect the surface from the conditions that cause more corrosion.

Once the water-based carrier evaporates, the coating remains soft rather than becoming a hard shell. This allows it to remain maintainable and self-healing while continuing to protect against moisture, oxygen, salt, and road brine.

How Is It Different From Lanolin-Based Undercoatings?

Lanolin, often referred to as wool wax, is commonly used in soft rustproofing coatings.

Lanolin-based products primarily work by creating a soft, water-resistant physical barrier over the metal. By keeping moisture, oxygen, and contaminants away from the surface, they can significantly slow corrosion.

It's a proven approach.

The difference is that when rust is already present, these coatings generally rely primarily on that barrier to isolate the existing corrosion from the environment.

Under Gone goes further.

Its formulation is designed to interact with and stabilize existing corrosion first, then rely on its calcium-sulfonate-based film for ongoing protection.

That's one of the main reasons we like Under Gone for vehicles that already have surface rust underneath.

More Going On Than Meets the Eye

Another interesting part of Under Gone is how much chemistry is packed into a product that's relatively simple to apply.

It combines rust-converting chemistry, corrosion inhibitors, and a calcium-sulfonate protective system in a single-component, ready-to-spray coating.

There isn't a second part that has to be mixed in, and the material doesn't need to be heated before application.

Getting those different chemistries to remain stable, work together, and still spray through conventional undercoating equipment took more than simply blending together a few corrosion-resistant ingredients.

Under Gone was developed as a complete corrosion-control system.

Why Wash-Off Resistance Matters

Soft coatings only work if they stay on the vehicle.

The underside of a car or truck gets hit with water, snow, slush, road spray, gravel, dirt, and salt every time it's driven.

Under Gone's calcium-sulfonate-based film is remarkably resistant to wash-off. Even though the coating remains soft and greasy to the touch, it adheres strongly to the surface and holds up well in the environment underneath a vehicle.

That's especially important here in Nebraska, where winter road conditions can be extremely aggressive.

Preparation and Maintenance Still Matter

No undercoating eliminates the need for proper preparation.

Loose corrosion should be removed, and salt and chloride contamination should be cleaned from the surface before coating. We don't want to intentionally trap road salt underneath any rust-protection product.

We also don't consider any underbody coating truly maintenance-free.

Under Gone is very resistant to wash-off, but high-impact areas will always see more abuse than protected areas of the chassis. That's why we recommend periodic inspections and annual touch-ups where needed.

Who Is Under Gone Best For?

A new vehicle with clean, corrosion-free metal has different needs from a vehicle that's already been through years of Nebraska winters.

When corrosion is already present, we want to address both sides of the problem:

What can we do about the rust that's already there, and how do we protect the vehicle from what causes more of it?

That's where Under Gone really makes sense.

Its combination of rust conversion, calcium-sulfonate protection, strong adhesion, wash-off resistance, and a maintainable soft coating allows one system to address several parts of the corrosion process at once.

At Gottsch's Goo, we inspect the vehicle first and recommend an undercoating based on its current condition, how it's driven, and what you're trying to protect.