OOT, Wash it real good with pressure washer, let it dry real good, spray with rustoleum, let it dry real good, spray with new undercoating. I would not remove anything that has stayed on for 45 yrs. :thumbup: olnolan
Something that old will be well dried out so try a Putty knife and it should come off in chunks, if that does not work then you can go to the heat like the others said.
You can also 'paint' it over with ATF and let is sit overnight, it will soften quite a bit, should just come off with a putty knife or a paint stick. Not only is ATF a lot cheaper than other solvents, it's a lot less flammable. Cleans off with a quick spritz of WD-40 and a paper towel then just prep as you would normally.
Something that old will be well dried out so try a Putty knife and it should come off in chunks, if that does not work then you can go to the heat like the others said.
my 50 chevy and i were busy with a 1 inch putty knife and wear a glove and just slash away. i have a lift so it wasen't that bad, but still sucked big time!. i tried a heat gun but it made it soft and sticky, it made a bigger mess. that old stuff is tar. and when you chip it off, it comes clean off, and you can see the original factory paint. keep sharpening the putty knife and don't stop. i had two, 5 gallon buckets full when i was done. to sandblast that stuff off will take days! it just bounced off the tar! thats why i chipped it off.
Yes, Automatic Transmission Fluid, new or used. Works very well for removing undercoating, it's also FANTASTIC for cleaning anything 'slimed', engines, transmissions, frames, suspension parts, ect. Just paint it on and let sit overnight. Go after it with more ATF and a brush in the morning. You can spray it on with one of those 'Dollar Store' spritz bottles with the lever, a Windex type bottle wears out 1 finger. Get a large cardboard box from a bodyshop to catch everything and dispose of it properly.
I have never herd of using transmission fluid, I will give it a try. I love to here of different ideas and try them as I am always willing to learn faster or easier technicals.
So would there be any properties from the ATF after cleanup could/would linger in the metal to affect the paint..... kinda of stay saturated in the metal and pass through to the actual paint side ?
"So would there be any properties from the ATF after cleanup could/would linger in the metal to affect the paint..... "
It will seep into any cracks between pieces and leak out if you're not careful cleaning it up. ATF will wipe away with a spritz of WD-40 OR non-flammable brake cleaner.
ATF is just very thin, VERY high detergent oil, no voodoo in it to sink into metal but I'm sure it can stain into old, dead, sunburnt paint or primer.
There just is no nice, clean way to remove undercoating/sound deadener. ATF is just an easy, cheap, safe way to do it:
other solvents are much more flammable or explosive
torch-light, heat gun, propane can start a fire, hot undercoat BURNS
oven cleaner, paint stripper are water soluble and can get into the ground water, don't use around well water.
a needle scaler is for ships, not car bodies, UGLY noise, lots of damage quickly.
sand blasting just bounces off and leaves a mess
hi-speed knotted wire brush works well but is very dangerous to use at close quarters, DON'T try this one at home
I had 60 year old undercoating on my car, a friend told me to try Kingsford charcoal lighter fluid, soak the undercoating good with the lighter fluid and then just wipe it off, DO NOT LIGHT IT. This does work, also cleans your white walls better than any cleaner I've tried..............
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