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Questions about Undercoating

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Old Aug 15, 2008 | 04:11 PM
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Default Questions about Undercoating

1. What is the best undercoating for frame and wheelwells? 2. Do I need to prime the surfaces before applying the undercoat? 3. Besides the frame and wheelwells, what other surfaces should I undercoat? (I'd like to undercoat the whole thing to prevent ANY kind of rust!)

Why didn't GM undercoat Vettes to begin with?!?
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Old Aug 15, 2008 | 07:20 PM
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i wouldnt undercoat myself. i would just paint it black. just my opinoin. also undercoating would not prevent much rust since frames rust from inside out many times.

Last edited by nutsy; Aug 15, 2008 at 08:17 PM.
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Old Aug 15, 2008 | 07:45 PM
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Originally Posted by nutsy
i wouldnt undercoat myself. i would just paint it black. just my opinoin. also unercoating would not prevent much rust since frames rust from inside out many times.
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Old Aug 15, 2008 | 07:45 PM
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We spend days taking that crap off. Dont do it. Are you planning to drive it in winter/salt roads?
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Old Aug 15, 2008 | 08:05 PM
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Undercoating would be a "negative" feature on a Corvette. The only situation where it would be OK is if you drove your car on snowy, salty roads...and that would be a "No-No" all on its own.
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Old Aug 15, 2008 | 08:45 PM
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Thanks Fellows...I guess then, I'll prime and paint? What brand would you recommend? Should I go with flat, semi or gloss black?

Thanks again...I'm learnin'
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Old Aug 15, 2008 | 08:49 PM
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i like to use dupli color bed liner for everything, i did everything except the body in it and it looks great. prep the surface right and it will withstand a high pressure pressure washer.
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Old Aug 16, 2008 | 09:55 AM
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It took me a month to remove the factory undercoating off and prep the floor and wheel tubs for paint. Once happy with the surface, I primed everything with high build evercoat primer and blocked it all out. Ready for paint, I bought a pressure pot spray gun and some Dupont single stage enamel and sprayed the entire underbody. (Frame off)

The final step (still outstanding) is to apply a small amount of undercoating to the top side of the wheelwells (like the factory did) to prevent stones from spider cracking the topside paint.





I tried to match the paint colour simulate the raw fibreglass colour as it would have left the factory and think it turned out reasonably well (for a rookie)
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Old Aug 16, 2008 | 09:30 PM
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When I sandblasted my replacement 73 frame the only areas of the frame that had any pitting were the ones where undercoating was sprayed on. I think that stuff lets water penetrate and traps it under the coating.

I painted the frame with 2 coats of RustBullet followed by a coat of Rustoleam Satin Black. I'm going to coat the inside of the frame either with an Eastwood product or chainsaw oil.



Rick B.
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Old Aug 16, 2008 | 11:53 PM
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Originally Posted by 72LS1Vette
When I sandblasted my replacement 73 frame the only areas of the frame that had any pitting were the ones where undercoating was sprayed on. I think that stuff lets water penetrate and traps it under the coating.

I painted the frame with 2 coats of RustBullet followed by a coat of Rustoleam Satin Black. I'm going to coat the inside of the frame either with an Eastwood product or chainsaw oil.



Rick B.
I think he's asking about the underbody, but let's see a shot of that frame!
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Old Aug 17, 2008 | 09:34 AM
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I scraped off all the old dried& cracked sound deadener and sprayed the underbody with black rubberized rockgaurd. All the metal brackets were sandblasted and sprayed with ppg DP90 epoxy primer.
The frame was sandblasted, primed with DP90 , 2coats of single stage semi gloss enamel and oil sprayed inside. I built it to drive so if I am caught in a rain storm I just need to pressure wash it.

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Old Aug 17, 2008 | 10:34 AM
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I am just finishing up a rear end refurbishing. The hardest part of this project was cleaning the oil, grease, filth and undercoating off of everything from the driveshaft back. I've been laying on my back under my 72 for three weeks now scraping and spraying and cussing the guy who put that undercoating on.
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Old Aug 17, 2008 | 04:37 PM
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Bedliner...but just on the fiberglass:





As for removing that old crap, a sotch brite pad and kerosine will soften it right up. Scrape off the thick layers and clean up the rest with the pad and kerosine, then wipe off with a clean rag. You'll get it spotless with some effort (but it stinks like hell)

Last edited by V-Twin; Aug 17, 2008 at 05:28 PM.
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Old Aug 17, 2008 | 05:21 PM
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As for removing that old crap
heat gun works well too and without the heavy fumes
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Old Aug 17, 2008 | 09:52 PM
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Originally Posted by eastltd
I think he's asking about the underbody, but let's see a shot of that frame!
I don't want to hijack this thread. If you look at my profile and find threads that I have started there is a progress thread that I update occasionally. There are pics of the chassis in that thread. You have a great looking rebuild going on also!



Rick B.
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