Undercoating: Original vs. Restored

[jaudette3]

My '67 SWB has original undercoating with the typical cracking and missing sections after 40+ years. I really respect originality but it would sure look better redone. Any compelling reason not to redo it?

Thanks,
John Audette

[Fritter]

I recently finished stripping 90% of my 68's original flaky, cruddy asphalt undercoat and I recoated with Wurth. Huge improvement and no regrets.

[saz]

Took approximately 100 hours to scrape all the original undercoat off my 67S. The PO took the liberty to spray nasty rubberized undercoat over a large portion of the chassis as well. Let me tell you, that stuff was the worst to remove. It's not a fun job. We used propane torches and 1" scrapers. Make sure the area is well ventilated- the fumes are horrendous! Was it worth it? Absolutely!!

[Fritter]

Wow Scott, nice setup! I did mine the old fashioned way, with jackstands and laying on the floor. I had some modern undercoat also, but it was easy to remove. My tools were a dull flathead screwdriver and wire wheels on a drill. My end result looks just like yours.

After doing all this, I hate that nasty Autozone cheapie undercoating with a passion. Please use Wurth products when reundercoating, they are the best!

[saz]

Thanks Mike! We did one weekend with the car on jackstands and almost threw in the towel. Mounting the chassis on the rotisserie made a world of difference.

[denson]

Nice job John. That really looks great

[MarkS]

My '67 SWB has original undercoating with the typical cracking and missing sections after 40+ years. I really respect originality but it would sure look better redone. Any compelling reason not to redo it?

Thanks,
John Audette

Two compelling reasons not to are time and that in order to do it correctly the car has to come apart, dang near all of it ask me how I know . The actual spraying and matching the look/texture of factory is the easy part.

[NV Stig]

Wow Scott,
That rotiserrie is a really handy tool. That really looks great. Just curious, is Wurth the same as Rhino lining? Are the more contemporary chemicals really better?

[LongRanger]

. . . My '67 SWB has original undercoating with the typical cracking and missing sections after 40+ years. I really respect originality but it would sure look better redone. Any compelling reason not to redo it? . . .

I'm kind of the outlier, here, but . . .


. . . I wouldn't touch it


I bought my old Roadster exactly because of its cracked/crusty/nasty/un-touched semi-asphalt/undercoating

Lotsa people seem to clean-up/re-finish stuff up 'just because' . . . but --- especially w/ surfaces/finishes that are otherwise outta sight . . . these kinds of areas tell me things about the car that no compression check or paint meter can



And think about it . . .


. . . how did you feel when you 1st saw that original undercoating?




For me? . . .

. . . If it's dirty? --- clean it
If it's broken --- fix it
If it's missing --- replace it
Only if it's ruined? . . . then restore it

Everything else is just everything else


. . . and don't forget to drive it!

[friggens]

I can't resist here because I love Rick's perspective here - and because mine car has the same issues discussed above. I am perfectly happy now and the condition of the car as original is endearing...


but...

I have the Wurth on the shelf, along with many other supplies, ready to restore the underside of my car when the planets align. The improvements that I make to the car carry real weight for me as part of the process. That underside has needs and I intend to provide countless hours of labor just like you guys. Scott - I think I had seen your images about the work before? Inspiring then and now.

I was uncondionally happy that the broad dents in the bottom of my floor pan popped out in the mean time I can't stop driving the car for now tho. Cheers!

PS - I am not going to be painting over my glove box door and Yours is GREAT Rick!! There is always a fine line unless you start with a bare metal roller with a sunroof and a Becker (read 306438S).