WOOLWAX undercoating spray (underbody / undercarriage protection) application

[ROBERT18452]

This past weekend, I had Wool Wax applied to my 25' 4R Limited. The shop that did the work is called Mike's Detailing, and they are located in Mount Cobb, PA, very close to the intersection of I-84, I-380, and I-81. The gentleman who runs the shop is a one-man show, and the experience was OUTSTANDING!

He washes the vehicle before starting the process, then removes all the wheels and inner fenders. He then thoroughly washes the bottom of the vehicle and allows it to dry thoroughly. He then proceeds to cover the brake rotors and suspension components near the brakes, the entire exhaust system, as well as the bottom of the engine. Before starting the application process, He covers the body of the vehicle to prevent any overspray. He then allows the vehicle to sit overnight and then rewashes the vehicle.

The name of the shop is Mike's Detail Shop, and I highly recommend it.

A map to their location is available below:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/11+Clay+St,+Elmhurst+Township,+PA+18444/@41.3798724,-75.5563552,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c4dcead69ea0b7:0x804a696e1cc74242!8m2!3d41.3798724!4d-75.5537803?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDczMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw==

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[k9Hiken]

This past weekend, I had Wool Wax applied to my 25' 4R Limited. The shop that did the work is called Mike's Detailing, and they are located in Mount Cobb, PA, very close to the intersection of I-84, I-380, and I-81. The gentleman who runs the shop is a one-man show, and the experience was OUTSTANDING!

He washes the vehicle before starting the process, then removes all the wheels and inner fenders. He then thoroughly washes the bottom of the vehicle and allows it to dry thoroughly. He then proceeds to cover the brake rotors and suspension components near the brakes, the entire exhaust system, as well as the bottom of the engine. Before starting the application process, He covers the body of the vehicle to prevent any overspray. He then allows the vehicle to sit overnight and then rewashes the vehicle.

The name of the shop is Mike's Detail Shop, and I highly recommend it.

A map to their location is available below:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/11+Clay+St,+Elmhurst+Township,+PA+18444/@41.3798724,-75.5563552,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c4dcead69ea0b7:0x804a696e1cc74242!8m2!3d41.3798724!4d-75.5537803?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDczMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw==

What is the cost for having it done and how often does touch ups or respirating need to be done?

 

[ROBERT18452]

It depends on the vehicle. Please give him a call for pricing.

 

[brumey]

It depends on the vehicle. Please give him a call for pricing.

With great respect, the question on price was not answered and is such an important factor. Can you provide "what you paid" or was your job complementary for recommending on here? The depending on vehicle... This is a 4R forum, that would be the vehicle and assuming its yours in the pics.

 

[ROBERT18452]

With great respect, the question on price was not answered and is such an important factor. Can you provide "what you paid" or was your job complementary for recommending on here? The depending on vehicle... This is a 4R forum, that would be the vehicle and assuming its yours in the pics.

I am insulted that you insinuated that I was somehow compensated for the information that I posted.

I contacted the applicator in question after searching for applicators in my area.

Wool Wax Applicators

I paid $575.00

I posted the information and pictures to assist other 4Runner owners who might be interested in having Wool Wax applied to their vehicles. I received no remuneration in any way shape or form.

 

[djw4run]

That looks like excellent work to me. Many will not remove the wheels and entirely cover the vehicle as yours was. I am still driving my 5th gen 4Runner that I've had forever. I did have it rustproofed when new but I know that the insides of the frame rails was not done because I examined it closely upon bringing it home. Years later the rails and underside are rusting but nowhere near what it would have been without the application. When I purchase my 6th gen, I will insist on inside of rails being treated as well.

 

[ROBERT18452]

Wool wax works on rusted surfaces by displacing moisture and sealing out oxygen to stop rust from spreading, rather than reversing it. Its lanolin-based formula penetrates existing rust and hidden crevices, forming a thick, non-drying, and self-healing barrier that cuts off the elements necessary for corrosion. This creates a waterproof film that prevents further progression of surface rust and protects the underlying metal.
Here's a breakdown of how it functions:

1. Penetrates Rust: The lanolin-based formula, unlike many solvent-based penetrants, is thicker and designed to creep into microscopic rust pits and seams.
2. Displaces Moisture: Woolwax's ability to penetrate helps to displace trapped moisture, a critical component for rust to form and grow.
3. Seals Out Oxygen: The product forms a protective, non-drying, waxy film that creates a barrier against oxygen and water, the two essential elements for rust to continue its expansion.
4. Creates a Barrier: This film provides a waterproof and air-tight layer, effectively "suffocating" the rust and preventing it from accelerating.
5. Self-Healing Properties: The oily, tacky nature of the lanolin-based coating allows it to "self-heal" in minor spots and remain on the surface to continue protection over time.
6. Long-Lasting Protection: The solvent-free formula resists evaporation and washes away less easily than many other products, providing extended protection compared to thinner coatings.

 

[glocke12]

I am insulted that you insinuated that I was somehow compensated for the information that I posted.

I contacted the applicator in question after searching for applicators in my area.

Wool Wax Applicators

I paid $575.00

I posted the information and pictures to assist other 4Runner owners who might be interested in having Wool Wax applied to their vehicles. I received no remuneration in any way shape or form.

It really wasn't a question that was " out of line ", generally when someone makes a post about a product or service and is evasive in answering like that, it raises a red flag for me .

In any case, how long did the treatment take ? I want to get mine vehicle treated but I am getting weary of dropping it off at places and having to get a rental because whatever I am having done takes awhile.

 

[bkw777]

It really wasn't a question that was " out of line ", generally when someone makes a post about a product or service and is evasive in answering like that, it raises a red flag for me .

In any case, how long did the treatment take ? I want to get mine vehicle treated but I am getting weary of dropping it off at places and having to get a rental because whatever I am having done takes awhile.

It takes at least half a day any place that does a good job. Any faster and I would say the job can't be that good. Although with a new vehicle it does save them a lot of work cleaning rust.

First they should remove any skid plates and the spare and wash the underside exceedingly well including poking a sprayer actually inside of frame parts. It's a manual thing not just a run through a car wash. Then they have to dry that off completely with heat, then apply the oil, again with a sprayer that actually pokes into individual hollow parts and somewhat carefully avoiding some things like anything with rubber etc, not just like a big quick swipe over the whole thing.

Around me this time of year all the shops are actually backed up to mid december.
I did find a shop that can get me in next week and I'm tossing a little folding bike in the back and my laptop in a backpack and find a coffee shop to work for a while.

 

[glocke12]

It takes at least half a day any place that does a good job. Any faster and I would say the job can't be that good. Although with a new vehicle it does save them a lot of work cleaning rust.

First they should remove any skid plates and the spare and wash the underside exceedingly well including poking a sprayer actually inside of frame parts. It's a manual thing not just a run through a car wash. Then they have to dry that off completely with heat, then apply the oil, again with a sprayer that actually pokes into individual hollow parts and somewhat carefully avoiding some things like anything with rubber etc, not just like a big quick swipe over the whole thing.

Around me this time of year all the shops are actually backed up to mid december.
I did find a shop that can get me in next week and I'm tossing a little folding bike in the back and my laptop in a backpack and find a coffee shop to work for a while.

So how did your application go ? Were they as thorough as the OPs guy was in masking things off ?

I found a shop near me that can do it and am trying to decide between black and clear WW and I also need to talk to them a bit more about what exactly they will be doing. Were your shocks wool waxed also like the OPs were ?

 

[bkw777]

They didn't do a good job.

It's a little difficult because I think the guy actually sincerely cared about doing a good job, so I don't really want to shxx on him, but just isn't very good.

They missed allllll kinds of spots.

I called back the next day to cancel my wifes prius and I wasn't even going to try to complain or give him a hard time or anything, just eat it and move on.

But he asked why I'm cancelling and I decided to say. And he said all the right things and not in a pacify the Karen way either but sicerely. So I went back tge next day to give him a shot to fix it. They threw it up on the lift and basically asked me to point at the dry spots. And wherever I pointed they sprayed.

I know I still missed a lot. It's black shiny stuff on black shiny stuf, over my head in a dark garage with me shining my own flashlight... I had to verify dry spots by wiping with my finger.

What they did not do is see a few examples from me, take over and find everything themselves by being methodical.

The guy blamed a new kid for the first job. Ok kinda lame to say that when it's still on you to train someone, but whatever it happens. But he claims he and his son are not new, so why is the retry still just as bad as the first time?

The guy, and his son, did actually seem to care about doing a good job and treating the customer right. He said I could come back for more if I find anything else for free any time no questions. He knocked $150 off the prius without me asking. I think he's sincerely well intentioned, and just not very good at the job. He claims to have customers from all over and never once had a complaint, but I don't think that means anything. Most people must simply not even look, or only look superficially, they see stuff sprayed all over and it looks like stuff sprayed all over. But dry fingers are dry fingers so it doesn't matter, that aint a matter of opinion. And I mean on the parts that matter, anything steel, esoecially frsme, especially weld seams, especially catchers and traps. Some of the dry spots were even low point front facing the places that take the worst blasting.

What they were missing is any kind of methodical process. No plan. No set of rules to follow so that they actually get all the places that matter.

Even when they were trying to do extra good to recover from a complaint, f-ed up their schedule lost a day of free work etc, they still had no plan, just looked around at random and I had to find the spots and point where to spray myself. Useless. I know it's still swiss cheese under there. I've already found more spots. But I'm just going to try to fill in the gaps myself with canned fluid film or maybe surface shield before the first snow (and salt), tgen next year I'l try to find someone else. I have a goid mechanic who says he has a recommendation. I couldn't use him in the first place because he's booked out till mid december which is too late. I wanted to get it done before the first snow since the truck is still virgin.

I did let him do the prius because I'm under a time gun and I'm stupid. But also the prius has all those plastic covers and I did beleive they would try to actually over-do it if anything. I haven't even looked behind the panels, I don't want to know. I just assume it's probably pretty good with gaps, and I'll have someone else go over it next year. The exposed parts are ok so I'm not being too bad of a husband. Shit ok I'll get in there like it was mine before it snows. Just heard myself there haha.

But also this is one reason I want woolwax or other oily lanolin kind of product instead of like ziebart. Even the dry spots I'll be somewhat saved by the creeping action so I should get by one winter.

Do I say the shop name? Isn't this a stupid waste of eceryones time reading this novel without it? But most of you won't be near me anyway. I guess it at least gives an example what to look out for with any shop you are considering. High ratings and high price do NOT mean good job. Look at your frame and suspension parts yourself and imagine where salty slush collects, and everything steel, and especially all the weld seams and crevices, bolt heads, exposed threads, and all that needs to be covered. Most important is the non removable frame parts, but no reason to let everything else rot away just because it's possible to replace one day.

 

[Van Solo]

I decided on KROWN myself and will be doing this tomorrow at 9Am.

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