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engine bay clean-up

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idahomgman

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I recently had my '64 B painted,and without going into a rant about those problems, I will say that the engine bay was not included in the paint job, as I didn't remove the engine. Now I would love to go back and clean-up the bay, and I have found some kind of flimsy, soft black undercoating that scrapes off the well walls. I need to disolve this junk and get on with the cleaning and painting. Does any one have any ideas of a solvent that can disolve this crud? I am sure that it must have been an aftermarket spray-on. While I'm at it, any recomendations on a GOOD undercoating to protect the new floor pans that I had installed? Spray on or brush on?
By the way, I have found a home, as I can tell from the comments you all leave in your correspondence. Nice!
 
I believe the common thoughts on under coating (applying) is to ensure the stuff gets applied on a DRY surface preferably after the under body has been painted like the rest of the car. However, I could be mistaken. I'm sure some one with more experience in the undercoat under body protection area will be along shortly with better advice /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Dry it will be Nunyas. I am on my way to NAPA right now, and will seek council from a trusted guy there, who is forever kidding me about synthetic oil. I used some one time in my 535i, and he hasn't let me forget it. Thanks for your time.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I have found some kind of flimsy, soft black undercoating that scrapes off the well walls. I need to disolve this junk and get on with the cleaning and painting. Does any one have any ideas of a solvent that can disolve this crud? I am sure that it must have been an aftermarket spray-on. While I'm at it, any recomendations on a GOOD undercoating to protect the new floor pans that I had installed? Spray on or brush on?

[/ QUOTE ]
Hi neighbor,
Welcome to a fun forum.
There may be some fairly solid paint under the "coating" that is worth saving. Or, it may at least be a solid base for some careful spray can work. I have had good luck with "3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner, #08984". Available at auto body supply stores. I have used this to remove thoroughly cured weatherstrip adhesive from painted surfaces. The gunk softened & wiped off without marring the underneath paint. This stuff comes in a squirt spout can, not spray, & is applied & wiped with a rag. If it will take off thoroughly aged 3M weather strip adhesive, which it does, It just may remove poorly applied undercoating.

Another thing that has worked for light coatings & overspray is "Liquid Sandpaper". Available at the same shops. It is normally wiped on, left for a while & wiped off. When I once needed to prep door jambs for paint, same color, I found that a QUICK wipedown with this removed the top oxidized paint layer & left a smooth glossy surface underneath. It renewed the surfaces so well that the jambs didn't need repainting.

If all else fails, lacquer thinner should soften the gunk, "maybe" without removing the underlying paint. Paint stripper would be an undesirable & messy process. I would be inclined to use "Scotchbrite pads" rather than scraping, less repair work on the underlying surfaces.

A somewhat messy, time consuming job, anyway you go about it, but worth the effort.

On the floor pans, I would use "3M Fast'n Firm #08505" paintable sealer on any joints or edges & follow with, primer & paint on top & bottom surfaces. It's personal preference, but I think that undercoating simply covers up later problems & doesn't really protect the metal "that well".

Are you a member of IBCC? There are so many new members lately that I can't keep track of everyone. If not, it would be a good idea to join. If I can be of further help email me at rusd@velocitus.net
D
 
I have a similar undercoating like substance that the previous owner sprayed into my truck(a common thing for the MGB's as I've seen many like this) Last summer I quickly wiped a spot with sone varsol and it came right off revealing the beautiful blue underneath. I am going to do the rest of the truck this summer. So If I were you I'd try just some varsol you might get lucky and have it come right off like mine did.

BTW make sure you do this away from any sources of ignition!

Zack
 
I have found that the engine cleaner available from Griot's works well, and its biodegradable. Used with their oil and grease cleaner and a few brushes it will do the trick.
 
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