removing underseal

Rusty260 · Post by **Rusty260** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 2:02 pm

I have the front guards of my 260 and most of the suspension/steering gear off, I thought that while I had such good access I would strip off the old underseal maybe give it all a coat of por 15 (especially where there is no paint!) and put some freash underseal on.

Has anybody got any tips for removing the old underseal?

nzeder · Post by **nzeder** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 2:17 pm

It is a messy job - will take an age and is hard work (I have to thank my Dad for doing all the work on stripping it from my 260z). Best thing to use a scraper I think we used a putty trowel and some heat (we used a gas torch thing - a fitting off an LPG bottle) but a good heat gun should give the same result.

Here is a pic of what it looks like once this work is done - see inner guard area

And this is after media blasting to the same area

And yes that was the day the work was done - Xmas day 2001 not much else to do before dinner and before I had kids

240znz · Post by **240znz** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 3:07 pm

Yep, gas torch, a scraper, mask and good ventillation. That stuff smells horrid. Check the instructions carefully on the POR 15 instructions as I remember reading somewhere that other paints don't stick to it unless it is prepped right. Worth a look.

You could always get it back to bare metal, etch prime, splatter and then top coats.

nzeder · Post by **nzeder** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 3:31 pm

240znz wrote:Check the instructions carefully on the POR 15 instructions as I remember reading somewhere that other paints don't stick to it unless it is prepped right. Worth a look.

There is also a reason most panel shops won't use it - ask a good shop what they think of the product.

240znz wrote:You could always get it back to bare metal, etch prime, splatter and then top coats.

That sounds like a good plan or use a good epoxy primer like I did.

Rusty260 · Post by **Rusty260** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 5:16 pm

I have been using por15 products as I had a few concerns about not being able to perfectly prepare surfaces for other paint systems i.e. not media blasting

apparently you can use a tie coat too apply other paints over the top

not going too paint anything untill I have had a chat with the guys at the tech seminar on the 25! I am sure they will point me in the right direction

Not looking forward to cleaning this underseal off! made a start with a propane torch slow and very messy!

nzeder · Post by **nzeder** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 5:44 pm

Rusty so which 260z is getting the strip treatment? the first one you purchased of the blue one that you pickup later? Are you making one from the two or going to get one fixed then the other later too

One zed is just never enough

Rusty260 · Post by **Rusty260** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 6:39 pm

oh i'm torn between the two

Would love to actually be able to get one on the road as as daily driver. The blue coupe is in much better condition and the rego is on hold so I should be able to get it back on the road cheaper and quicker. Might give it a few modifications

Will keep the red one complete and look at giving it the full original restore a bit later down the track, have too see what happens building a house next year, and my wife is due to have a baby in the next couple of days so might have to tighten the old financial belt for a couple of years!

Stumpy · Post by **Stumpy** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 1:08 pm

You could always just leave them out in the sun and that loosens the underseal. If you have the time and can find the sun