My first visit to this forum. About to get going on the '68 Rivy and wonder what's a good way to get the undercoating off the frame and floorpans? The body will be staying on the frame. Chunks of the junk come off with jackstand under the frame and a smack on the floorpan sends it tumbling. Underneath both is clean, black and smooth. I know about POR-15 and am considering it but it'll depend on how tough it is to clean under there. I could get the pressure washer and sandblaster out and do the deed in the driveway I suppose. Of course there's the putty knife routine as well. Any tips to save me time and trouble? Thanks in advance.
Hi Gary, I've done three frame off's now and there is no easy way. I've tried sandblasting, but that won't get the thick stuff off. I've tried solvents but that just makes a bigger mess and you still need to scrape. If you want to get down to the bare metal or at least the paint between the bare metal and the undercoat the best way is heat and a scraper. I use the little plumber type torches with and a 1 1/2 inch scraper. It takes 2 or 3 days doing the underside and wheel wells. I've got a rotisserie so it's quite easy. I wouldn't want to try to do the entire underside on my back in the driveway! Goggles and face mask would be a definite requirement. Cheers and good luck with it. Doing this is a real pain in the you know what, but once it's done it is really worth it. Harvey
I did the butane torch scraper thing on the front snout of the frame. I got the majority of it off then used liquid stripper to melt the residue. Very time consuming. Buy lots of paper towels, lacquer thinner and beer. You're gonna need it!
I saw this question some where else on the BBB some said to use a descaler you can finde them at Harbor Freight WWW.harborfreight.com on sale for $49.99 or they have one that attaches to your air hammer for about $16.00. I bought one last year works great undercoating comes off in chunks and doesn't seam to hurt the metal under it unless it soft from rust then it just makes little dimples. :Brow:
Its time consuming no matter how you do it. I had the body off the frame a few feet up in the air while working on it. I used cans of spray paint stripper, and paint scrappers / puddy knife / big chissel to get the majority of the stuff off. A hat, goggles, longsleeves, a drop cloth on the floor and some time and beer and youll get the stuff off. I did small areas, and wiped off with laquer thinner. Some scotchbrite pads will help. Eventually you get to the bare metal, then you can sand and prime paint undercoat it. It takes a lot of time, just make sure you hose off everything or the little amount of trace acid will eat through the paint eventually. Heres how mine looked when i got to the metal : Although you might think all the metal under the car is ok, you are sure to have some sort of rust under the garbage factory undercoat Heres a shot with primer on it after the metal was cleaned up: Good luck and take your time
This is my method. I went to a grocery store and bought a few cans of MR. Muscle oven cleaner. Sprayed it on and let it sit for about 20 minutes until I came back across the areas I had sprayed with a scrapper. The undercoating rolled off the areas so easily, just remember whatever surfaces surrounding the area you are spraying with the oven cleaner need to be taped off otherwise you will see your good paint go bye bye. But over all it makes it come off like butter.
