91Bird305

I am trying to get the ole firebird's underbelly to look a lot cleaner. Its not rust covered, some spots here and there, but its mostly just weathered looking (picture below). What do you guys to do clean it up to make it like new again? Paint it? Who usually does stuff like that? Any advice on making it look nice again would be appreciated. Thanks

Yes I am getting a new brake setup, rear end (Strange Dana 60), driveshaft, fuel system and struts. And I know the trans cooler is missing and that clamp on the intercooler pipe isn't on, I still have some small things to wrap up.

luvofjah

iTrader: (2)

I got lost on your website, sweet car, pics and videos...

Mine is kinda like yours (under carriage)... I'm going to pressure wash it, sand any spots that need it & then POR 15 (all the steps)... and then cover with chasis coat semi gloss.

Rafael

91Bird305

haha thanks. Yeah I need to fix some of the Michigan Muscle video links. To much bandwith usage = CRASH! lol.

I will have to look into that. I don't have a garage or a lift (other than the one at my buddies shop where a lot of the current work is being done). That sounds like a good idea though. Where do you get your materials at?

luvofjah

iTrader: (2)

I have a 2000 psi pressure washer & I haven't yet bought the materials. They can be purchased direct from POR 15 or Ebay. I did contact them about the difference between chasis coat and black coate, chasis is semi and black is gloss.

From what I've read, use the metal prep / marine clean combo they have to make it work like it's supposed to. There are a few pics on this board from people's undercarriage and stuff... I'm going with the semi gloss chasis coat to go over por 15.

Rafael

fitbmxseries1

id definatly say to undercoat it. usualy that makes it look way better and protects from rust, otherwise degreaser the bottem and pressure wash. any plastic spray rubber dressing on (aslo works good on faded black things)

QUICKCHICKEN

iTrader: (12)

before ya clean, make sure any trans, motor, or rear end leaks are fixed or all of teh cleaning will be all for not. i started cleaning mine some last year and as i started getting towards the tranny i took one look at that rear main leak and stopped then to fix it.
being i have had to drive it in the rain a time or 2 since im going to start over but it wont be as much work this trip around and cleaning the rear area will be easier as all of the 90 wt that got sprayed when my pinion seal went is gone, now its a matter of small details in that area.

90-irocdx3

iTrader: (4)

simple green always works for me.

MattODoom

iTrader: (1)

I actually just came in from doing the bottom of the floorpans on my 'bird. My dad recommended the stuff to me, he used it on his Nova. Its Eastwood Rust Encapsulator. In my case, black. All you do is take a wire wheel to the rust spots and get the flakey stuff off then throw this stuff on, one or two coats if you'd like. Let it dry then you can top coat it (optional) Im not topcoating it myself, but you could. This will prevent you from having to sandblast out all the rust and save a bunch of time.

Heres my trans tunnel

llvll4l2c91350

i just undercoated mine with 3M stuff. looks wayyyyyy better

QUICKCHICKEN

iTrader: (12)

Matt that looks pretty good. if im seeing that correctly it looks like a satin finish which is pretty close to factory. if cost is reasonable i might hafta go by the eastwood site and get some myself.
i like the looks of that better than POR15 as POR is just too shiny for me.

Steve86TA

iTrader: (57)

I have been using a combination of brake cleaner,gum cutter and lacquer thinner.They all seem to work great.The fumes suck though.

Jgolden314

Like others are saying, POR 15 is the best stuff.

MattODoom

iTrader: (1)

I was recommended the Eastwood stuff by my dad who had used it on his Nova (as stated) and his current project is a '46 ford hot rod. He used POR 15 on it and said for me to not use it. The rust started building up underneath it and the finish is not as smooth on it as the rust encapsulator. In addition, some of the parts we did with POR the paint actually peeled off after a while. The Eastwood stuff is a satin finish, yes, and it looks very purdy. The POR15 is a high gloss black and doesnt look right to me. The rust encapsulator is about the same as POR, its $30 for a quart which should do two coats over the whole floorpan.

Then if you'd like you can always put a rubberized topcoat (undercoating) over the encapsulator. Its job is just to stop rust and prevent it from coming back.

Kandied91z

iTrader: (7)

if you prep the por-15 there is no reason it should come off. i've had it on mine for 3 years now and going strong. i wipe the underside down 2 times a year and it looks the same as the day i did it.

good stuff but don't let it get on your skin or clothing as it takes awhile to come off.

i'd either paint the underside with automotive paint like a car or clean it up and use por-15, but what do i know...

whatever you do don't use rubber coating as it traps moisture, unless it's the type that hardens.

good luck either way, it looks great.