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MG TD TF 1500 - Thick Undercoating Removal

My TF has been undercoated with what looks like a commercial type undercoating. It's very thick and hard as a rock. What is the best way to remove it? It's under the bonnet, fenders, foot boards and frame. I thought removing the paint was going to be a time consuming thing, but it looks like the undercoating will be much worse. PJ
Paul Jennings

The best method by far is by dry-ice blasting (which requires evidently professional assistance).

Aside from this fancy technique, I had in the past some relative success with a heat gun and scrapper or with a wire wheel brush in an electric hand drill. This works more or less in flat surfaces, but it is a chore in curves and in corners.

In any case this is a very messy job.

Good luck.

Jesús
J Benajes

When you say undercoat, is this a soft underseal rustproofing product? If it is then try leaving a gasolene soaked rag against it to see if that softens it.

Cheers,
Matthew.
Matthew Magilton

My TD came with a thick coating of undercoating about as you describe. It can be removed with a heat gun (similar to a hair dryer but hotter) or a small propane torch. Heat the metal on the oppossite side of the coating until if softens and then scrap it off. Obviously you will need to move the torch around so you don't overheat one spot and warp the metal. It a takes some time but it does come off.

Cheers,
Jim
James Budrow

My TD came with undercoating as well. The guys at Cor industries had it all dipped and everything came back shiny and clean with paint, undercoating and rust removed. It was a lucky thing we went that route because it showed the gas tank was worse than first thought. After having the lower side and bottom of the tank replaced it should now last a long time.

Regards,
Rich
Richard Taylor

Most undercoating is asphalt based, which means it will dissolve in any lighter petroleum fraction. The trick is to get something that will penetrate reasonably quickly but not dry out before you get the crap off. Gasoline penetrates quickly but dries much too quickly, and it's a serious fire hazard; but cars with fuel leaks are usually bare wherever the fuel blows back under the car. Motor oil takes too long. I find diesel fuel to be best - spray it repeatedly over a couple of days, until you can scrape most of it away, then spray some more and pressure wash it.

FRM
Fletcher R Millmore

Aircraft paint remover does a good job on taking this off. It will liquefy it and then a wash with gunk cleaner - the kind you mix with kerosene (DO NOT USE GASOLINE- We want you around a little longer)

Bruce Cunha

Thanks guys for all your input! All good suggestions, but having access to aircraft materials, aircraft stripper sounds like it might be the way to go, but if dipping will work, I'll probably use that method, since I prefer someone else having the mess to clean up. (Grin). PJ
Paul Jennings

This thread was discussed between 11/05/2010 and 12/05/2010

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