Underbody restoration
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 492
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From: Birmingham AL
Underbody restoration
I'm moving into the body part of my restoration. Working from the bottom up I need to figure out what the wheel wells and underbody should have done to it. This is a '77 frame off restoration and the body is on the dolly right now. What's the best way to clean, prep, and then coat it with?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Dickinson (Houston) Texas
I have the body on a dolly right now too. What I did was to take it out on the driveway, jacked the dolly up as high as I could and waterblasted the underside. That really broke loose all of the built up gunk.
I have not done much more than that, but it is a good start.
www.bigdogvettes.com
I have not done much more than that, but it is a good start.
www.bigdogvettes.com
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
I have done the same thing to mine. I used a product called lizzard skin. Supose to provide thermal and sound protection. I dont have the car back together yet so I cannot say how well the stuff works.
Check it out...
http://www.acc-controls.com/vette/im.../image477.html
Check it out...
http://www.acc-controls.com/vette/im.../image477.html
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by steves_77vette
I'm moving into the body part of my restoration. Working from the bottom up I need to figure out what the wheel wells and underbody should have done to it. This is a '77 frame off restoration and the body is on the dolly right now. What's the best way to clean, prep, and then coat it with?
are you going for NCRS type restoration or are you open to other suggestions? this is "zero clearance" insulation combined with trans tunnel insulation from an earlier year car, the paint is just rustoleum black gloss
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 3
From: Canberra AUSTRALIA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by bobs77vet
are you going for NCRS type restoration or are you open to other suggestions? this is "zero clearance" insulation combined with trans tunnel insulation from an earlier year car, the paint is just rustoleum black gloss
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[IMG]
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[/IMG]Black satin POR-15 for the frame. Satin chassis black over the POR-15. Zero clearance under the floor pan and tunnel. 3M underbody rubber paint for wheel wells. Car is cool and quiet.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
The insulation is a good idea, I used Frost King with similar result. After powerwashing the underside, I thoroughly cleaned it with lacquer thinner. After all underside fiberglass repairs, molding and smoothing, I wipe with a Prepsol, Pre-Cleano like product and painted with PPG DP 90LF epoxy primer with the DP 401LF catalyst. The beauty of the PPG is it has good flow characteristics and can be brushed on and cleaned with lacquer thinner. It even comes in about 6 colors. You only mix what you can brush on in about 20 minutes. It adhears to fiberglass, metal and protects from rust. The more catalyst you add the higher the gloss. Just another option to consider. My frame was sprayed with a catalysed enamel over a good primer. You can make a decent frame paint rotisserie from wood pallets and 2x4's for the job.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham AL
Originally Posted by matchframe
I have the body on a dolly right now too. What I did was to take it out on the driveway, jacked the dolly up as high as I could and waterblasted the underside. That really broke loose all of the built up gunk.
I have not done much more than that, but it is a good start.
I have not done much more than that, but it is a good start.
I have some fiber glass repairs I need to make as well. The quarter panel fiberglass supports seem to have separated from the underbodysections where they tie in with something that looks like gooped on tar. It's the spot just behind the rear wheel well on each side. What is that stuff and how do you get it re-attached to add the support the quarter panels need? I was thinking of fiber glassing it in place.
I'm not going for full on NCRS standards but something that is in keeping with how it should look but a few improvements, if you know what I mean.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Dickinson (Houston) Texas
Originally Posted by steves_77vette
Did you use just plain water at high velocity? Or a detergent additive with it?
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 0
From: COVINGTON LA
I didn't do a frame off, but I did jack the car up about 2' off the ground when the engine and tranny were out. I then pressure washed everything under there. From here I used the Marine Clean prep from Por-15 and water blasted it again. It came out extreemly clean. I then bought this truck bed liner in a rattle can from Autozone and sprayed everything. This stuff is tuff, I live in a rural community and there are a lot of gravel roads and driveways around. I have yet to chip through anywhere that I can see. There are some pics in my photo gallary.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by matchframe
I just used plain water at high velocity.
