TheSamba.com :: View topic - Removing undercoat and repainting floor pans and frame

Wed Apr 17, 2024 5:45 am

Hey everyone,

I did a search on this but couldn't find relevant topics.
My car has original floor pans that are undercoated. They are still very solid and only have surface rust where the undercoating has chipped off. I'd like to remove the undercoating and preserve the metal with something like Eastwoods or POR15 before reapplying an undercoat layer.
Does anyone have experience doing this and have any tips or tricks to provide?
Unfortunately, I do not have access to a lift. :(

Wed Apr 17, 2024 9:32 am

I did this very easily with a paint scraper. My undercoating was old, dried up, thick and brittle. I went after it on a cool day and it scraped off in large chunks it took some time but was somehow very satisfying uncovering the pristine paint underneath all the dirty undercoating. Heat will turn it into a gooey mess, I tried to wire brush it at first and it did not go well.

Wed Apr 17, 2024 10:23 am

Those electric multi-tools with a worn blade are good for removing old under seal.

Wed Apr 17, 2024 11:46 am

When I was looking into this (there is a post somewhere here about it) a scaler tool like this was recommended:
https://www.harborfreight.com/air-needle-scaler-58645.html

Wed Apr 17, 2024 1:41 pm

That's awesome guys.. I appreciate the suggestions! It's still cool in the evenings here in Florida so I may try to knock it out then. Initially with a scraper but could try a needle gun or equivalent if that fails. Clockwork, did you do front then back or just try to have the car on 4 jack stands to do the work?

Thu Apr 18, 2024 4:03 am

I had the body off the pan so it was easy to work with. Not sure I would trust the whole car on jack stands with all the rocking you will be doing. I would probably do left side then right side on jack stands and have two tires on the ground. This is the scraper I used, that little pointy bit is really good for picking out seams and creases:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Anvil-6-in-1-Painter-s-Tool-XG1-ANV/309996815

Thu Apr 18, 2024 8:19 am

clockworkbox wrote: I had the body off the pan so it was easy to work with. Not sure I would trust the whole car on jack stands with all the rocking you will be doing. I would probably do left side then right side on jack stands and have two tires on the ground. This is the scraper I used, that little pointy bit is really good for picking out seams and creases:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Anvil-6-in-1-Painter-s-Tool-XG1-ANV/309996815

Thanks! That's great advice.. I actually have one of those scrapers. :)