I got my catback exhaust yesterday and went to start the install.While I was under the car I noticed that the undercarriage is totally layered with some black crap.Its like dirt or grease/grime.I could literally scrape it off with no effort.Its maybe 1/6 of an inch layer.I was wondering if this was dirt buildup or if it was a type of grease that has a purpose(maybe to prevent rust etc). I just got the evo a few weeks ago so go easy on me.I wouldve scraped it all off with a grout blade but I want to make sure its just grime with no purpose first.

 

I'm pretty sure that's the undercoating.

 

Just for reference Ill add that its very soft.Basiclly identical to grease you buy in a can or tub for misc. auto.

 

yeah all evos are built in japan and shipped over.... thats to prevent the salt from corroding it during the trip and in US

... thats tar and just soft cuz ur in florida and hot as hell....

 

Ok so can we verify that it has an ongoing purpose and shouldnt be wiped off? Or do people remove this?

 

Yes, it protects the undercarriage.

 

Ok cool.I have heard of people pressure washing the belly of their car.I guess the tar can stay on my evo.

 

you paid for that weather you know it or not and yes it is very hard to get off your skin but it is good to keep on because it saves the underbody from corrosion

 

+1....nasty stuff.....but good to leave on for protection.

 

This is definitely the undercoating protection and you should keep it on for your car's protection.

 

is it on the entire underbody? or just around the middle? Does it look like the picture below? (Behind drivers side wheel) Or am I missing all of it?

 

Mine covers the entire undercarriage including the wheel wells except for the plastic pan.

 

That stuff keeps your car from rusting out. Dont remove it. Also, pressure washing will not remove it. It will get hard as a rock (like bedliner) over time.

 

ye you definitely dont want to remove it!

 

If you do plan on removing it, you better find a body shop or a paint shop that can spray the under chassis with something equal or better. Goucho, it doesn't look like you have it on your car (At least in that area).