What is the best way to remove this stupid undercoating?

[BIRD67]

OK, last summer when I was working on the Firebird, I found that it had some severe undercoating issues! Everything except the front subframe is covered in this crap!! I toot a paint chisel and I started peeling the stuff away and I found black paint, then I scraped some more off and found white paint underneath the black paint! then I found some Burgundy paint and then rust! What is the quickest way to remove this stupid undercoating? it is like asphalt, except it has a brown sheen to it and it is very bumpy!

I also found that we need new upper floor pans, apparently the original ones were not removed, they were just welded right over! SO now there is a 2 inch gap for water to get in underneath the car!

[terrible one]

I think you will find that your hammer and chisel method will be one of the best ways. Get a paint scraper too, works great in front of a hammer. The only thing I would suggest is adding heat to the equation. If you want to go to bare metal scrape off everything you can and then the tar/residue/BS that is left will usually come off well with a wire wheel or whatever stripping method you choose.

[Ghoste]

Propane torch with a scraper and lots and lots of elbow grease.

[BIRD67]

Yeah, I think I am gonna go with the Hammer and chisel method.. Somehow I just don't see my stepdad saying yes to letting me use a propane torch underneath the car..

[daytonalo]

Hire a couple of Chimps , I think they are giving them away cheap right now !

[Ghoste]

Hire a couple of Chimps , I think they are giving them away cheap right now !

Hey, maybe Sean Penn needs a job!

[BIRD67]

If I wanted to hire a bunch of chimps, I could just call up BK or Maaco, but I prefer neither..

[69*F5*SE]

Propane torch and scraper is the way it's done.  Just warm the area with the torch and scrape.

[elitecustombody]

a good heat gun will work almost will work just fine if you're scurd of the open flame

[BIRD67]

a good heat gun will work almost will work just fine if you're scurd of the open flame

I'm not scared, I just dont see my stepdad allowing a 15 year old to use a torch on the family investment..

[69*F5*SE]

Yes, please use under adult supervision.   

[westcoastdodge]

good quality heat gun and sharp scraper 

[daytonalo]

A really good sandblaster with 5/16 nozzle , 00 sand and a tow behind comp and it becomes child play

[mauve66]

use moms hairdryer, cheaper and keeps the heat down to livable condition

[mopar73]

did my 73 with the propane bottle and scraper.  I think it took 2 bottles of propane and endless hours of scraping.

[70redbee]

Eastwood has a product to remove undercoating. I would recommend using it or a heat gun. Good luck but it is a very messy job.

[BlueSS454]

That Eastwood Undercoating Remover sucks.  I tried it, poor poor results.  THe propane torch and scraper works the best.  Laquer thinner will also soften it up so it's able to be scraped off.

[Ghoste]

What has your stepfather worried?  It should already be taken down to the point where there are no flammables attached to the bottom of the car if you are stripping undercoating or are there?  In any case, he can supervise with a fire extinguisher close at hand and all should go well.

[plum500]

I like a 4" angle grinder and wire wheel - nice smooth finish, less gouging - but don't go overboard. But for goodness sake wear a good respirator and goggles. Hell, wear a good respirator and goggles with a torch and putty knife for that matter. You'll still need to take that approach to get into the corners and hard to reach areas. Torch and small wire brush can also be useful there.   

[BIRD67]

What has your stepfather worried?  It should already be taken down to the point where there are no flammables attached to the bottom of the car if you are stripping undercoating or are there?  In any case, he can supervise with a fire extinguisher close at hand and all should go well.

I am gonna go with a paint scraper.. We just sunk a ton of $$ into it, just had the exhaust, engine,tranny,brakes and tons of other stuff done.. I want to preserve whatever is left underneat all this crap..I am sentimental like that.. We don't have a big fancy garage, I'm really the only one imn my family besides my real dad that has mechanical skills..Last summer I built up the engine with a now late friend..

[dads_69]

Gasoline and a putty scraper, an plenty of elbow grease.

[oldgold69]

i use a heat gun and scraper  then wipe down with thinner you will use a lot of rags

[mauve66]

Gasoline and a putty scraper, an plenty of elbow grease.

hope your hot water heater isn't in the garage also.......................

[Drop Top]

We did a thread on this subject way back in the begining. I went on a step by step about using a propane bottle and a scraper and a small wire brush. But sence your Stepdad wont let you use that. I would have to agree with Dads_69 and use a rag soked with gasoline and a scrapper. Knock the loose stuff off first, then after soaking the rag, lay it on the undercoating for a min. or so then start scraping. If you cant lay the rag done on it you'll jusy have to wipe it on the best way you can. I tried to use a spray bottle but the gas was too strong and it wouldn't last very long. Theres no easy way of doing it. Its a very messy job. On a side note work safe. Use eye protection and gloves. Most important dont use gas around any open flame or a water heater.

[nitrousn]

A lot depends on how easy it is to comfortably work on the car. If your car is stripped and on a rotisserie renting a commercial steam cleaner is the way to go. Do the underneath and all the seams trunk and inside. Steam will melt it off in seconds to a nice bare clean surface.