Going to Salar de Uyuni: Tips on off-road car protection
The Salar de Uyuni in Southwest Bolivia is where you will find the largest salt deposit in the world. It’s one of the places in South America that you must visit at least once in your lifetime. We are going there soon and will be using our trusted camper.
Salar de Uyuni has great mineral spas and lots of expansive salt beds that stretch out into the horizon. It’s a great place to take perspective photos and generally, enjoy the time outdoors whether it’s in the rainy or dry season.
Salt protection for our RV
While it is exciting to tour the salt plains, we need to be careful with our camper. Salt is a sure way to destroy the undercarriage or body of a vehicle. Lucky for us, we know something we can use to protect our RV.
It’s important to note that in Salar de Uyuni there are mechanics in workshops also known as “taller mecanico” that will salt proof your vehicle undercarriage with a mixture of diesel and oil. Once you come back from the salt beds, they can also wash the car thoroughly ensuring no salt is left.
However, a cost-efficient solution for us that we feel will provide our vehicle with better protection is undercoating. Although the oil mixture is okay, undercoating is stronger and more permanent. You can also use it to protect your car during winter so its not only for off-road vehicles.
What is undercoating?
Undercoating is a commercial product made of rubber or wax that you can spray all over your vehicle undercarriage as a barrier. It protects your vehicle from salt, ice, and water. It comes in a portable container so you can reapply it regularly to ensure your vehicle retains a perfect undercarriage.
Since undercoating is a spray, you can use it on every inch of your car undercarriage even on hard to reach areas. Cover the frame, floorboards, gas tank, pans, wheel wells, suspension, undercarriage frame, exhaust pipe, and all other nooks and crannies because everything needs protection. It adheres securely to the vehicle and only takes a day to dry.
Undercoating is a great way to extend the life of your vehicle, especially if it is an old one. It may also reduce your insurance premiums because you minimize the chances of claiming compensation for undercarriage damage.
An added benefit of using undercoating is that it stifles a lot of the noise that you get from the vehicle undercarriage, especially on rough roads. Your vehicle may have undercoating but to be safe, apply an extra layer because these things wear off and need replacing after a while.
How about security window film?
While you are protecting your undercarriage before a long trip such as to Salar de Uyuni, you may as well get security window film. Since we travel a lot, we find that it comes in handy in so many ways.
Many people think that security window film is for homes only but it is also great for vehicles, especially when you live and travel in them as we do. It is a layer of dark laminated material that you can stick on your car windows using adhesive.
The thicker the security window film, the stronger it is, and it also comes with an adhesive that makes sure it sticks securely to any surface. Security window film is stronger than regular window tint, and if you are always on the road like we are, you need it for the following reasons.
Reasons to use security window film
1. It’s shatterproof
You know when windows break during an accident, the shards of glass tend to fly everywhere and can injure the passengers badly. Well, secure window film makes your windows shatterproof so that in case of breakage the shattering is controlled.
When you are driving over rough terrains such as mountains and strange roads, accidents can happen and do happen. Having extra protection on your windows and windshield is a great idea.
2. It prevents theft and enhances privacy
When your car windows are clear, especially in an RV, it’s easy for people to peak in, see what you have and steal from you. Secure window film is a great way to hide the interior of your vehicle.
It also helps you to maintain privacy. Not many people are interested in looking through dark car windows, so it can save you from random peepers.
3. The cooling and heating effect
Security window film protects the interior of your vehicle from getting too hot or cold. It regulates the temperature in the car by reducing the strength of sun rays and providing insulation during cold days. It will save you from using the car AC or heating unnecessarily so you can save on gas.
4. Protection from interior sun damage
Apart from saving you from an uncomfortable drive, security window film is dark enough to protect your interior from sun damage. Too much sun and heat can fade your car interior and make it look unattractive. Covering your windows will prevent such damage.
5. Upgrade your car windows
Security window film can also improve the aesthetics of your car. Many of these glass films come in exciting designs and patterns that look amazing. It’s a simple way to upgrade the look of your windows without spending a lot of money.
6. Different sizes available
Security window film comes in various sizes and strengths to suit any window and preference. Ensure you choose one that is strong enough to protect your windows for a long time. The thicker it is, the better the protection for your vehicle. Measure your windows before you purchase some security window film so you can buy the right size.
Overall, using security window film on your car windows will be cheaper than replacing existing clear glass windows with new stronger tinted ones. We are ever on the lookout for affordable ways to improve our vehicle, and this is definitely a keeper.
It’s fast and easy to put on a secure window film, so make sure you do it before you go for a long road trip like we do. Check back for details on our visit to Salar de Uyuni and some fun pics.