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Cleaning Underbody

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Old Aug 14, 2010 | 05:53 PM
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Default Cleaning Underbody

Spent 6 hours cleaning and scraping the the underbody of my '62. Not too bad but there is a section where it looks like it was sprayed with undercoating. Can't get the stuff off no mater what? Anyone have any suggestions. Also would lightly soda blasting hurt any, want to try and clean up the corners and get some light paint off from a previous repaint.

Thanks
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Old Aug 14, 2010 | 07:58 PM
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ttt
need a bump... come on resto guys...anyone?
xiaoman
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Old Aug 14, 2010 | 08:02 PM
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Try a heat gun and a scraper, but be careful, and stay away from wiring, and have some water handy.
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Old Aug 14, 2010 | 08:52 PM
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I had good success with a product called GUNK Bug and Tar remover. Spray it on, let it sit for a few minutes and scrape off with a putty knife. Afterward, clean the surface thoroughly with mineral spirits.

Does not hurt the glass as far as I could tell.
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Old Aug 14, 2010 | 09:30 PM
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Originally Posted by claysmoker
I had good success with a product called GUNK Bug and Tar remover. Spray it on, let it sit for a few minutes and scrape off with a putty knife. Afterward, clean the surface thoroughly with mineral spirits.
Good one as that stuff does work pretty good cleaning tar/bugs off the car. Something else I have used in small areas is one of the citrus removers like goof off.
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Old Aug 14, 2010 | 09:51 PM
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Default Bug/Tar Remover

I will try the bug & tar Remover tomorrow. the body is seperate from the fram so access is easy and don't have to worry about wiring etc. I used some paint remover & gunk engine cleaner and neither really loosened it up. Could bearly get through it with a scraper never mind getting it totally clean.

Thanks
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Old Aug 15, 2010 | 08:03 AM
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There was a big gob of original (I think) undercoating near the firewall of my 60 that wouldn't come off no matter what I used. It was between the outer and inner fenders. Since the body was upside down, I uses a heat gun on the opposite side of the panel and the whole lump loosened up enough to remove it in one lump. The remainder was easily cleaned up using the standard cleaners.
Rod
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Old Aug 15, 2010 | 08:26 AM
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Originally Posted by csh15n
I will try the bug & tar Remover tomorrow. the body is seperate from the fram so access is easy and don't have to worry about wiring etc. I used some paint remover & gunk engine cleaner and neither really loosened it up. Could bearly get through it with a scraper never mind getting it totally clean.

Thanks
Mineral spirits or turpentine.

Chuck
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Old Aug 15, 2010 | 09:17 AM
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I agree with Chuck. Spray some mineral spirits on the undercoating and let it sit. You may have to come back and re-wet it several times, but it will soften it up so the putty knife will scrape it off easily. There were several places on a 62 that were supposed to be undercoated, so you may want to avoid cleaning too much of it off if you are only going to have to replace it. The rear of the front wheelwells (including the splash shields), the front of the front wheelwells (including heavy coverage on the back of the headlight assemblies), and the rear wheelwells.


Regards John McGraw
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Old Aug 15, 2010 | 04:23 PM
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Eastwood sells a spray product for softening undercoating so it can be scrapped off easily. I haven't tried it but they have a good reputation so it might be worth trying.
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Old Aug 15, 2010 | 10:37 PM
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Not a good idea to use a metal scraper as you will dig the fiberglass up.....use a plastic body putty spreader to scrape the heavier stuff off. And, be patient.
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Old Aug 16, 2010 | 09:43 AM
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Default undercoat removal

First pass: heat gun and wooden scraper (modified kitchen implement)

Second pass: spray on kerosene, wait, and scrub with red scotchbrite

Final cleanup: spray on kerosene and wipe clean.
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