Underbody Operations

[Bonusrocco]

I'm soon to overhaul the underside of my mk1, its in good nick, no bad rust. I'd like to get all the crud off, search for any potential corrosion, stop it, and then seal it up. I'd also like to paint over the sealant.

Can anyone give me some tips on what tools and materials to use? Any other things i should do while i'm under there? Ive already renewed rear beam mounts, powdercoated the beam, and i have a new fuel tank lined up.

[Cpt Custom]

Depending on how much work you plan to do and how much of the crud you want to take off you might want to think about getting a rollover jig, sometimes called a spit or rotisserie. Something like this ...

http://www.rolloverjigs.com/

If its only a thorough spring clean we're talking about then they're probably not worth the expense, but if you're going to be doing any serious work for any length of time you really don't want to be doing it from underneath.

[mark1gls]

I've used this stuff on the underside of my Mk1 and various other bits, Fuel tank, rear beam, fuel filler neck, wheel arches. You can also paint it on with a paint brush so no masking out needed.

You do need to make sure the area you paint is clear of grease and oil or it does not stick very well.

http://www.rust.co.uk/epoxy-mastic.cfm

Seems to still OK after 3 years.

[Bonusrocco]

Cool cheers so if i scrape of the grime, then i find a patch of rust, i'll wire brush/sand it down then treat it with some rust inhibitor, then just slap this on top?

Or can I just coat everything without prep.

[MacColl]

Agree with Mark that epoxy mastic and that company's products are meant to be excellent

If your serious about completely removing all rust without welding, on surface rust areas I use a product called deox gel http://www.bilthamber.com/pro-introduct ... e=deox-Gel which is a gel like wallpaper paste that you can leave on rust patches overnight covered with cling film. Then you agitate with a wire brush and wash off leaving a clean metal surface for you to prime, seam seal or whatever approach you want to go for. The Deox C is a powder that allows you to make up a dipping solution for smaller parts that I believe is amazing stuff also.

For quickness I am wire brushing the rust patch with wire brush wheels on various power tools and using another product called Dynax UB http://www.bilthamber.com/pro-introduct ... e=dynax-UB which is a cavity wax mixed into a protective film.

The site Mark mentions makes the best rust converter according to Practical classics http://www.rust.co.uk/rust-converters.cfm

Both of these companys are way ahead of other well known brands when it comes to dealing with rust according to what I've read and some of my own experience.

[lewp91]

if i ever do a mk1 project (after uni when i actuallly have money) i think i'm ganna bring it back to bare metal n just paint it,
just check it over every 3 months ;)