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-   -   3M Rat Repellent Coating. EDIT: Doesn't seem to work (page 4) (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/technical-stuff/198477-3m-rat-repellent-coating-edit-doesnt-seem-work-page-4-a.html)

Got a flyer from a 3M store franchisee owner regarding the availability of a 3M Rodent Repellent coating to answer the irritating rodent attack on the cars. The product is priced at Rs 1058 and will be available only at the 3M outlets. The product will not be sold as OTC. The product will be actually a DIY but in the initial applications only 3M shops would be applying the same for the cars as there would be a need to lift the car on a ramp for underbody coating application. The product has been developed of extensive R&D by 3M to address the rodent damaging the electrical cables/wires, rubber parts etc.

The product can be applied under the body and in the engine area. For applications in the engine area, the engine should not be hot. After application, the AC needs to be switched on after 24 hrs min and engine bay washed after 24 hrs min. The product has a validity of 1 year and 1 can will be sufficient for a car be it hatch, sedan or SUV (although the flyer says 6 months).

A well-known brand entering this space is HUGE clap: - thanks for sharing, Ghodlur! Rat damage has been a perennial problem, with some of us resorting to extreme measures - thread.

I currently use Autoshine; seems to be working, but it costs 1,900 bucks, smells nasty and needs to be applied every 2 months. I would trust a brand like 3M more. Sure hope the R&D has been done and it works as promised.

BHPian Parrys also sent me a pic of 3M's product. Will be sending my car in shortly to 3M:


Awesome. Shows that the job will be done properly.

Eagerly awaiting BHPian reviews of whether it solves the problem or not.

Has anyone tried 3M's rat repellent solution? Here's a video by 3M India on it:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEinidwJ9Ys


Noob Question - the video shows a washing of the engine area with an all purpose cleaner. How safe is it to wash the engine area and its sensitive components?

3M does Waterless cleaning (wipe) for the engine bay.

The problem started more when the car manufacturers switched from plastic wire sleeves in the name of green manufacturing to SOY based product.
There is a class action lawsuit currently because of this as the car dealers are not repairing under car warranty for this problem.

Thanks to my friend from Gujarat, who sent me this product as I had severe issues with rodents at my place. Applied it today myself as per the instructions. Will update after some days.

Some pics of the can:



MRP is Rs. 1500

The unexpected had happened, the Polo had been an rodent attack and was immobilized.
Fortunately was identified by the smell of petrol( and subsequent starting of the vehicle) and on opening the bay could trace the fuel line (hose) cut.

Availed the RSA (Trailer faculty) to the Service facility for replacement of the part.

The bad and what else can you expect from a VW - part was not available and it took 7 days for getting back the car ( Job includes cleaning of the entire engine bay and interiors). Total Cost -₹ 5900 .


After this episode, decided to try out the 3M Rodent repellent coating.

- They will not sell the repellent separately
- Will last for ~6 month
- Cost ₹ 1085

Observations:

- Thorough cleaning of the engine bay and wheel arch areas ( water less)
- One hour needed before application ( to cool off the engine) and one hour after
application
- Keep the air vents in re-circulation mode for ~ 2 days, preventing odour from
engine bay into the cabin.

Rest in pictures.

Damaged fuel hose



Car on the trailer




@ 3M showroom,



Car in focus,



Applying the repellent,









As a precaution the S Cross too gets the treatment,












Bill: @ ₹1085



It has been ~ 2 weeks after this treatment and is under observation, so far seems to work but is too early for a verdict. Will update as needed,

And the Polo, ready to go:)

I don't see them covering up the body panels while spraying. Do they take up washing of the car after the spray to deal with fine spray particles settling on the body panels? If these fine droplets are allowed to dry on the panels they form a coating which takes months to come off.

Would also like to know how the car smells after the coating. I have used similar rat repellent sprays before and they give out an awful smell esp after you return from a drive and the engine is hot. AC recirculation button is almost unusable for the first couple of months.

This is a good offering from 3M. This is becoming a major problem these days. Given the complex nature of modern car electronics and high repair costs, I am sure they will lots of takers.

I was told by the 3M franchisee owner who had sent me the products details that the product is non smelly and non hazardous. Also there would be no effect on the paint during the spraying, a simple wipe will be sufficient. The AC can be switched on 24 hrs after the spray.

The spray is odourless and and application of the repellent is done in a working environment.

The spray seem no effect on the paint but they wipe the car clean as part of the process.

Thanks for the detailed post! You don't know how closely I'm watching this thread. The effort & attention they've put on your car for just a thousand bucks is fantastic.

What I use currently (Autoshine spray) costs almost twice as much and is said to last 2 months. It smells horrible too. If this 3M spray works as intended, they are onto a winner here. I'm tempted to switch but will wait for longer-term reviews. A known devil is better than an unknown angel :).

Please keep updating this thread periodically. Thank you!

Is it safe to touch the places where the coating has been applied? Is this spray "poisonous" for human ingestion? What happens if you need to work on an engine bay in which this spray has been applied?

And if you have water or a foam wash done over this "coating"? Is it therefore removed or something?

I would like to have this done on my motorcycle.

Here is the interim Verdict - 100 % satisfied and successfully not seen any traces on rodent footprints on the engine bay.
The shine on the engine bay seen is of the coating.


S Cross - The car is being used on all days and here is how the engine bay looks after 2 weeks of 3M repellent application.






Polo - The car was not used deliberately not used for a week to check if it would more prone to a rat attack.

So here is the engine bay after a week of 3M treatment.









Will be further monitoring this weekly and the final verdict will given after a month:)

It is claimed to be non-toxic ( if in contact after application)

Since on cars the engine bay normally is not washed so the effect of water will not be seen, but if it is intentionally done then I guess the effect of the coating will wear off.

On motorbikes, not sure as it is exposed to rain and sun, you need to check at the 3M outlet.

I got this treatment for my Grand i10 yesterday from 3M care care in Yelahanka, Bangalore. The pesky rat had chewed the fuel pipe which cost me 2800 to replace it.


Was charged Rs 1085/- for the repellent treatment. They washed the car; with extra cleaning in engine bay and wheel arch area. The entire process was completed within 30 mins.

There was a rat attack on one of the cars in our apartment today. So quickly went to check if all was ok with my Dusty, and found this inside the engine bay.


So took the plunge and headed straight to 3M HSR to get the rodent repellent coating done. Was completed in about and hour and paid Rs 1086.


Will keep a watch for the next few days to see the effectiveness.