<VV> undercoat removal tips?

[Carlton Smith]

Hi Ray, 

The heat gun suggestions should work, but there definitely is a spray on
chemical sold to remove undercoating. Eastwood sells it. It probably is
messy though.

If you are going with the heat gun idea here are a couple of experiences I
found on the internet you may want to explore:

1)The best trick I have found is - in those areas where you have access to
the backside of the panel - heat from that side. I have tried multiple
methods with torch, electric heat guns, and heat lamps, with some success
but with the heat applied directly to the undercoating. By accident I placed
my halogen work light in the trunk (250 watt), I found the undercoating on
the opposite side softened very quickly and would easily scrap off. Now I
just place the light less than 6" from the back of the surface I am working
on and scrap away. (My light has a metal guard in front of the glass so I
just rest the metal guard against the surface) The softening begins in just
a few minutes and after about 5 minutes it gets almost to soft so I move the
light to the area I am going to do next. I am sure the heat is several
hundred degrees and could burn paint or other combustibles so I try not to
heat anything to long. Each light placement position allows about a 1 square
foot area to be cleaned. I still have the nasty task of cleaning residue and
then getting a good rust free surface for paint application. This job was
certainly a lot easier without the frame and undercarriage hardware in
place.


2) Using heat just makes a mess. You are creating more work than you need to
for your project. I have removed the undercoating on several cars. I use a
tool called a "needle gun" which is used on boats to remove barnacles. Looks
like a squid, long air cylinder with small, long finishing nails on the end.
The needles dance/vibrate and easily removes the hardened undercoat. Did a
whole car in about 2 hours, lying under it, sitting on jack stands. Use
protective goggles and go at it!
 When you are finished, you will have a clean surface and no marks. If you
have any residue, use mineral spirits to clean the surface.

Let us all know what works best for you Ray.

Regards, 
Carlton Smith
Indianapolis, IN
1965 Corsa Turbo, convertible
Circle City Corvairs Club




-----Original Message-----
From: virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org
[mailto:virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org] On Behalf Of Ramon Rodriguez III
Sent: Friday, October 28, 2011 12:45 AM
To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
Subject: <VV> undercoat removal tips?

Howdy all,

     As I mentioned earlier tonight I'm working on cleaning up and painting
the underside of the 62.  The wheel housings, suspension, and inside the
quarter panels all have a pretty thick old coat of undercoating on them...
is there any good way to get it off?  The only way I know is with wire
wheels and a drill but I'm hoping there is a better way.

Thanks,
-- 
Ray "Grymm" Rodriguez
Lake Ariel, PA
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