Frequently Asked Questions

Woolwax® is a lanolin (wool-wax) based, solvent free corrosion preventive designed for use on any known metal. Woolwax® has a thixotropic viscosity that allows for a thick and drip free coating. Woolwax® leaves a soft, grease-like self-healing film. Woolwax® will not dry out (commonly referred to oil based undercoating) and will penetrate metals to the base, providing corrosion protection in highly corrosive atmospheres like those found in industrial or environmental settings. Woolwax® has proven to be an exceptional vehicle undercoating product. Woolwax® is not a rust remover or converter, however Woolwax® can be applied over existing surface rust. Woolwax® will form a heavy film and prevent moisture and oxygen from reaching the existing rust. Thereby stopping it on contact. 

Three things must be present for rusting to occur: iron, oxygen, and water. Rust forms when these three elements combine and create an electrochemical reaction. iron + water + oxygen → hydrated iron(III) oxide. It is the hydrated part that makes rust brown instead of red. Rust can’t form without water. Rust can only form in the presence of oxygen. Woolwax™ creates a film barrier on top of the existing rust to keep out any moisture or oxygen. It encapsulates the existing rust. Without oxygen and moisture the rust cannot progress.

Woolwax™ can be applied over any existing surface rust. Woolwax™ will stop the rust from progressing on contact by creating a film barrier that will prevent moisture and oxygen from getting to the base metal. Woolwax® is not a rust converter or remover. Any heavy bubbling or flaking rust should be brushed off before applying Woolwax™. It is never too late to treat your vehicle with Woolwax™. It may be rusted, but you can do a great deal to stop the rust from progressing with a good treatment of Woolwax™ every couple of years, with touch-up in between if needed.

*We offer descale and rust treatment options for an additional price but it not often necessary.

No. Woolwax™ is not just "covering it up". Woolwax™ is a corrosion inhibiting protective coating that will seal out any moisture and oxygen from from getting to the base metal, or existing rust. Three things must be present for rusting to occur: iron, oxygen, and water. Rust forms when these three elements combine and create an electrochemical reaction. iron + water + oxygen → hydrated iron oxide. It is the hydrated part that makes rust brown instead of red. If any one of these components is missing, the rust cannot progress. Rust can’t form without water. Rust can only form in the presence of oxygen.

Woolwax™ will stop the existing rust from progressing on contact by creating a film barrier that will prevent moisture and oxygen from getting to the base metal. This protective coating will provide protection for at least (2) years before requiring a touch-up.

Salt accelerates the rusting process by corroding the metal. This is a factual science. Anyone that tries to say that rust will still progress under a good protective coating is simply mistaken. Perhaps they have tried to cover rust with paint that was not designed as an anti-corrosion coating.

Would it be better to remove all the rust? Of course. But in most cases the expense required to sandblast, needle scale, and/or wire brush the undercarriage before applying the coating would be cost prohibitive. And even then, you would not be able to remove all the existing rust in the inaccessible interior protected areas (frame rails, rockers, etc.)

How to stop existing rust and prevent rust?

Preventing rust is a never-ending battle because there are so many ways that metal can become exposed to oxygen and moisture. Apply a thorough coating of Woolwax™. The key is to make sure the metal is completely covered so that oxygen and moisture can’t reach it. You will be very pleased with the results over the long term.

The standard undercoating is a straw/clear color. It will darken over time especially on metal frames and suspension items.  A black color undercoating is also available. This may be desired for vehicles looking for not only the protection of but that extra clean look as well. Black does not simply have a dye added to it that will fade or wash off. It specifically treated during the manufacturing process to permanently treat it with color.  It holds its color and as a result does cost additional and requires extra time/preparation with the vehicle(s) especially during wet and winter months. 

It does not dry. When applied. It will create a wet gel-like barrier that moisture and oxygen cannot penetrate. Without moisture and oxygen there can be no oxidation. because it is non-drying, it is always active and migrating into the inaccessible areas of the doors, seams and folds of the sheet metal, and all the other difficult to reach areas. It is very thick and will not wash off easily. An annual application will easily protect your vehicle through the snow/ice/salt season. In the enclosed areas, (doors, frame rails, rockers, etc.) the undercoating will provide protection indefinitely (years). It is only the exposed areas of the undercarriage that should be coated annually.

It is extremely resistant to wash-off because it is so thick. In the enclosed protected areas the undercoating will last for years. The exposed areas of the undercarriage needs to be reapplied annually. It forms a film barrier on the base metal that moisture and oxygen cannot penetrate. Without these (2) components, corrosion cannot occur. Because it does not dry, it is self-healing. If something scrapes it or road debris hits it, the undercoating will "gel over" and repair itself.

We undercoat year all year rain or shine. Spring and summer times are recommended because the warmth will allow Woolwax to creep into seems more easily. Please be aware in the winter and or heavy rains we ask to keep the vehicle for 48 hours to wash and or dry/inspect the vehicle for the most effective application. During rain we ask to keep the vehicle overnight to allow proper drying then undercoat the next day. 

 Yes. Woolwax is non-toxic and non-hazardous.  Its base ingrediant is Lanolin from sheeps wool. This natural product has been used in high value cosmetics, facial cosmetics, and healthcare sectors as a topical ointment. It is also found in many lubricants and other rust-preventive coatings and even some shoe polish brands. Its introduction as a rustproofing product is widespread in both commercial and residential applications. Some of the earliest known uses were the Vikings from the 8th through 11th century applying it to waterproof and rot-proof their wool sails on their ships

No. Unlike other vehicle undercoatings Woolwax® has almost no smell at all. Typically for at least a couple of days your vehicle will have the musty lanolin smell. After it has had time to absorb into the metal more there is usually no smell at all. Through a proprietary process we have neutralized almost all of the strong lanolin/woolgrease odor. Also, because there are no solvents, there is no "chemically" smell to Woolwax®.

*Mouseout Rodent Defense products are infused with peppermint, essential oils and predatory scent. 

Most vehicles take 2 hours or less for Standard Undercoating. (If the vehicle needs de-scaling, and or a wash on average 48 hours)  Large pickups, Commercial vehicles, RV's and Equipment will take significantly longer. During the winter and rainy seasons we usually request the vehicle overnight to 48 hours. Please call ahead.

Woolwax® is manufactured 100% in the U.S.A. The only material imported is the woolgrease, because it is not available here in quantities needed. Everything other raw material, and the packaging, labels, and boxes, is proudly manufactured in the U.S.A.

While driving habits may vary, we recommend an annual application in order to maintain adequate protection. Higher miles per year can dictate an annual touch up, whereas if you drive less often you may be able to skip a year. Please call to get a specific plan for you and your vehicle that both meets your budget and protects your investment.

This as a maintenance program and investment. Just like regular oil changes to extend the life of your vehicle a regular tough up ensures the best chance at greatly extending the life of your vehicle and saving you money in the long run. 

There is not much to avoid. Also, it has a very high flash point (>400°), so in any of the hot areas like mufflers, oil pans, etc., it will just burn off within a few minutes. It works well to protect electrical wiring and electrical connections. And is non-conductive. And will not interfere with the connection battery terminals, and ground points etc.

Many people have concerns about the undercoating on rubber materials. Almost everything on an undercarriage is oil resistant. We have had no known issues or negative effects on oil resistant rubber components. We have seen discussions about rubber breaking down and failing through the normal deterioration process. Rubber does dry out, cracks, and fails during its normal life cycle. Some people believe this may be a result of an undercoat application, but more than likely the rubber component has just reached the end of its life cycle through normal deterioration and exposure to vehicle heat and road chemicals.

We have heard of issues with the soft spongy rubber weather strips around the bottom of the door frames. This is an open-cell sponge rubber and is not oil resistant. There have been reported instances of this type of open-cell soft rubber swelling up when being exposed to lanolin-based products. To combat this silicone is applied to the bottom weather stripping before applying Woolwax to the lower portion of doors.

There have been no known incidents of any negative effect on any paint or plastics. If you do get some over-spray to the paint, just rub it in like a car wax. There is no need to remove it.

On clear days ensuring the vehicles undercarriage is clean and dry is generally all that is needed. During the spring, fall, and winter with rain, mud, and snow we usually ask to have the vehicle 48 hours to ensure we can wash and dry the undercarriage and ensure the best application for each vehicle. 

Most vehicles will notice some light smoking from any mist that made contact on the exhaust systems. This product is not flammable and will dissipate shortly. You will also want to avoid the undercarriage wash services. It will not wash it right off. But, overtime it will weaken it especially right after being treated. driving down a dusty or gravel road will help build a protective barrier on the undercoating. One doors, tailgates/trunks, and hoods if you notice any product creeping out do not be alarmed it will not harm the paint/finish and is showing its ability to creep and migrate into seams, welds, and pinch points for great protection.

It is especially important to avoid undercarriage washes in the wintertime. Many wash stations recycle the water, and it takes months to dilute the chemicals used on the roads. It could be giving your car a saltwater bath in the winter. (There is not bad intention though. Car Washes are designed to remove mud and dirt, saltwater decontamination is an expensive and complicated process).

Vehicles: Four or more vehicles are required for mobile service. If over 30 miles from Sandpoint ID, please call. 

Weather: Rain and snow cannot be present during the time requested for safety and ensuring proper application.

Space: The truck/trailer is 55+ft long and requires enough space to safely navigate in and out of the site. I'm about as long as a semi-truck for size reference. On some occasions I need to approve the site. We need enough room to safely enter and exit and have structures/vehicles and equipment are far enough away from the spray location and driver safety. 

Unfortunately the GM frame wax does little to protect the frames of trucks. Additionally, it does not react well to anything being applied on top of it. Even mechanics see the damage from regular oil from filter changes and leaks negatively affecting the factory coating. That being said, the GM wax is a short-term solution with a protection life of (1) year or less. After a year or so it begins to fail and falls off leaving unprotected areas. Many undercoaters use the following protocol for GM factory wax:

When the wax starts to fail (after a year or two).  Two options below are recommended:

1) Apply Woolwax® over the failing GM wax with the understanding that it will fall off in some areas (especially common for used vehciles). Then they go back and retreat (just the exposed areas of the undercarriage) in a month or so to protect areas where the wax fell off. Or…

2) Powerwash off what is left of the failing GM wax and apply a clean coat of Woolwax® undercoat.

If you have more questions and or concerns please call.

Modern Automobile, Boat, RV, and UTV/ATV manufacturers in their attempt to meet strict EPA requirements have begun moving from petroleum-based coverings and started using soy-based wiring covering. This and seasonal storage have just added to the problem by giving mice a tasty treat and a dark warm place to live. But discourage them through touch and smell your vehicle and it will not be an attractive target even when in storage for the season.

Mice and rodents are very sensitive to touch, they dislike stepping on oily surfaces created by our product. They also have very sensitive smell. The essential peppermint oil, menthol and other essential oils are pleasant to humans but irritating for rodents. It is also infused with a synthetic predatory sent to fool the rodent into thinking predators are nearby. Giving them every reason to stay away from your vehicle. Its non-toxic, and non-hazardous meaning you and your family and pets can enjoy protection from rodent damage with a environmentally friendly product with no harmful chemicals or strong displeasing odors.

Paints and rubberized undercoating's have a nice appearance after application. The challenge is both in preparation and longevity of the treatment. Paints and rubberized coatings require the metal to be 100% clean and dry for application or it will flake/peel off shortly and in the case of rubberized coatings it can actually accelerate rust by covering corrosion spots with a protective cover while it continues to damage. Rubberized coating also interferes with maintenance because it requires scraping the thick texture coating off to use tools on nuts and bolts increasing the chances of rust even further and adding to reapplication expenses.

Another challenge is inside of cavities. Without complete disassembling the vehicle and dipping the metal components in an acid to kill the rust paints and rubberized coatings cannot be applied inside of fenders, rocker/quarter panels or inside of frames where the rust really starts. Now you have a nice-looking coating that will chip, crack, flake or worse trap and accelerate rust. Many vehicle owners cannot spend tens of thousands to completely disassemble a vehicle and treat each component with harsh chemicals over often weeks of downtime. 

This is where non-drying coatings have an advantage in many areas. 

It doesn't dry: This means if its ever scratched it will creep over and self-heal in a short amount of time. This also means it can be applied over existing rust. This greatly reduces the cost of preparation. It can also be applied inside of cavities. It will stop rust hiding inside of fenders and body panels and inside of box frames. 

Its non-toxic and non-hazardous: Its environmentally friendly and safer for the applicators. 

It saves you money: Since it doesn't dry it creeps. This means it works its way in the threads of nuts and bolts reducing the chances of them breaking during removal. It also will stop rust from corroding safety equipment. Brake lines, body mounts and structural items in the vehicle.

The only tradeoff is it's not a one and done process. The coating can last years but just like changing your oil regularly a Woolwax will need an occasional touch up to maintain its strength. Its affordable, quick and very forgiving as it works on new AND used vehicles saving everyone money and stress. 

For further reviewing on the costly damage rubberized undercoating's can do please check out this great video: https://youtu.be/H2VD5fM6pto?feature=shared 

We are proud to extend corrosion protection to commercial marine and Agricultual organizations. This program utilizes a fully bio-degradable product to meet environmental regulations. Please contact us via phone or email for more information. The complexity of these projects can vary greatly, and we want to ensure all processes and desired outcomes to protecting your equipment are met.