C1 underbelly questions

[Keith R.]

I am tackling the rather unpleasant task of cleaning the underside of my '60 and a few questions come to mind. First, I have scraped crud off and then used a scothbrite pad, enamel reducer, a rounded putty knife, lacquer thinner and MEK to remove the crud and overspray but some still remains in little crevices and cracks that have developed over the years. Any suggestions on making the underbelly look like new? Should I soda blast and then gel coat the cleaned areas?
Also, any one out there who can tell me what portions of the underside were sprayed? I would think that it would be a quick spray of the wheel wells and that the painter hit the spare tire tub which would suggest that the bottom of the tub and the horizonal surfaces were still bare fiberglass. Am I correct? Also, was the blackout of the wheel wells and tire tub done before or after body paint?

[Mike E.]

Re: C1 underbelly questions

Some have sprayed the underbody with a light coat of 62 Almond Beige, and then used lacquer thinner to take most off. As the owner of an almond beige 62, I am highly offended by that process.

[Donald H.]

Re: C1 underbelly questions

You might also try Capt'n Lee Stripper. I used it and a stiff nylon or similar brush to help remove old paint and crud. Before and after pictures. I did not do the front inner fenders since I had to replace the front end. I also used all the other chemicals you mentioned, mostly lacquer thinner

DSC_0012.jpg003_Body Underside (3).jpg

[Lynn L.]

Re: C1 underbelly questions

Mineral spirits works great, brass or other soft wire brush, oh and roll and lay upside down on grass lawn!!

[Philip P.]

Re: C1 underbelly questions

I was looking for some pictures of he bottom of our 1960 which I could not find but I used mineral spirits like Lynn. I cleans the glass and does not harm it. Personally I would think twice about gelcoating, it was not used in the manufacture and is not that pleasant to work with in my opinion.
Phil

[Donald H.]

Re: C1 underbelly questions

Instead of gelcoat, I just mixed up some resin brushed in on then wiped it before it could set up. I did that on areas where I had to patch and/or sand. I think it gets close to the original mold surface.