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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Crap Up In The Fender Wells

Posted by: riverman Feb 8 2005, 09:09 PM

My PO (haven't decided if he is a DPO or DAPO yet) undercoated the car with an oil-based, tar-like undercoating in an effort to slow down Mother Rust. Not only does this stuff weigh about a 1000lbs, but it's a bitch to get off. Anything I can reach with my grinder comes off okay with a cup brush, but there are certain areas, like up in the fender wells, I can't get to. I've tried heat and a scraper/wire brush, but the stuff only gets gooey and sticks even more. I've also tried varsol, and it works on the thin areas, but up in the fenders the stuff is so thick (up to an inch) that it won't penetrate.

Short of sandblasting, does anybody have any other ideas?

Posted by: Aaron Cox Feb 8 2005, 09:10 PM

small thermo nuclear device?

Posted by: redshift Feb 8 2005, 09:12 PM

Long handled scraper thing... and alot of freaking time..

Heat is always good.. you have to use something oily to help you... I would say kerosene... and watch out, don't make a wick..

M

Posted by: ! Feb 8 2005, 09:13 PM

Pressure washer...heated water.

Posted by: riverman Feb 8 2005, 09:16 PM

QUOTE
Pressure washer...heated water.

Good idea! Thanks.

Posted by: Brett W Feb 8 2005, 09:19 PM

Buy a case of carb cleaner, some litte wire brushes and a scraper. Plan on havinga long day at it. You better buy a good fan and a respirator as well. This will dissolve that stuff in short order.

Posted by: dmenche914 Feb 8 2005, 09:25 PM

Aircraft Brand Paint Remover, available at kragen auto stores in my area (might not be allowed in some areas) this stuff works, i had a 356 with same tar like aftermarket crud on it, half inch thick in some places. regular strippers didn't touch it. (I tried about three other brands, usless) Aircraft Brand is super strong, and did the trick (and surprise, there was no rust found under the tar!!!)

it is super, and I mean super caustic, it will burn your skin, even a small amount, say half a drop, maybe even a speck of this stuff, and within minutes it burns like hell, really, makes you run to the sink to cool it off. You will have a welt and a scab will form if you get it on you unless you wash it off right away. (experience talking here) It also does in my solvent gloves (however it does it slow enough that I can get one use out of the glove) And of course I need not mention eye protection.

Give it a try, it is thick thus sticks to vertical surfaces, just brush it on, and wait, then get the putty knife and scrape it off, may take more than one application if very thick tar. and do not let any splatter on your good paint.

Posted by: SirAndy Feb 8 2005, 09:46 PM

QUOTE (dmenche914 @ Feb 8 2005, 07:25 PM)
it will burn your skin, even a small amount, say half a drop, maybe even a speck of this stuff, and within minutes it burns like hell, really, makes you run to the sink to cool it off.

first, it'll burn like hell. then, over the next month or so, your skin will slowly peel of your hands and fall off. it'll leave you with some nice wrinkles.
my doctor says that if i'm lucky it might heal itself back to where it was in a year or so, if not, oh well ...

btw. you lose all sensation in that area too (kills yer nerves) ...

fun stuff ...
Andy

PS: it's been more than 2 month now

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Posted by: bd1308 Feb 8 2005, 10:47 PM

shave your palms man

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Posted by: smg914 Feb 8 2005, 11:09 PM

If you’re at all concerned about preserving the original paint that’s beneath the undercoating, pour some mineral spirits in a plastic pump sprayer and spray it on the area you want cleaned. Let it soak for a few minutes and wipe it off with a rag. Or if the undercoating is real thick, spray on some mineral spirits and use a wooden paint stirrer and scrape off as much you can. Once it's thin enough you can go to the rag. You may have to repeat this step numerous times to get it all off. Wear a respirator when using mineral spirits.

Posted by: riverman Feb 9 2005, 07:02 AM

QUOTE
Aircraft Brand Paint Remover

Thanks again. I have some good chemical stripper, but I didn't know it worked on undercoat. I'll give it a try too.

OR

Maybe what I'll do is put some heated chemical stripper in my pressure washer and give it a try. Thanks for all the good advice boys.

Posted by: xsboost90 Feb 9 2005, 07:07 AM

im borrowing a sandblaster this weekend just for this.

Posted by: GWN7 Feb 9 2005, 07:38 AM

Steam cleaner.

Heat and pressure.

Check and see if there is a commercial company that does it in your area.

Posted by: redshift Feb 9 2005, 07:42 AM

QUOTE (bd1308 @ Feb 9 2005, 12:47 AM)
shave your palms man

Posted by: redshift Feb 9 2005, 07:47 AM

End of third month

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Posted by: bd1308 Feb 9 2005, 09:21 AM

redshift, i just had to. actually i didnt know what it meant so my room mate told me...even my girlfriend knew!!!!! where do you all get the oil-based stuff? AND will por-15 work in the rear/front trunks