My 51 has tar undercoating which I am in the process of removing. Looking for suggestions for treating the underbody as one section is in nice shape and I would like to keep it. Would like to find a product that is similar to the tar when applied . Some floor panels were replaced and the seams sealed but I think the undercoating would be good to hide the weld seams. I did try a spray undercoating product but it was way to thin so hoping to get a spray that has more body and can be blended to match the tar.
Steve, I would look for a product that never sets solid but "creeps" into every nook and cranny underneath there. Up here (Ontario) one company that many people recommend is Krown Rustproofing - don't know if they are in the States but I'm sure that there would be others just as good in your neck of the woods. The risk in putting on any type of thick tar-like substance is that it will dry and crack as it ages, thereby letting moisture gather between the undercoating and the bare metal of the underside. The moisture doesn't have to be salt-enriched either to eventually eat out the metal. Just some idle thoughts for you!
Thanks for the reply. i am aware of the benefits of "oil undercoating" as I have had/have it on my Silverado. My main goal is to get a product that will blend with the remaining section of original undercoating. to cover up some of the sealed seams so they are not so visible. Not too much concern for rust prevention as it will not be driven in Winter. I'll try later to post a photo.
Just want to pass along what several body shop owners told me. Here in Ohio, rust never sleeps so coating the under body is important. Both body shop owners said to use a RUSTPROOFING coating rather than a undercoating product. Their reasoning, the undercoating tends to dry out and crack leaving a point of attack for the rust. Does the rubberized undercoating have a track record? I don't know how long it's been available for consumer use.
Well if it was all new sheet metal I would do that but some areas such as where the body cross supports are welded to the floor panels have some rust that is impossible to remove. Those areas I intend to spray with a rust converter. Even areas that had a full tar coating when the tar was removed have some surface rust underneath and those will also be treated . Even if the underneath was sandblasted not all rust could be removed. The floor braces as built have 1/8" + gaps in some sections and I see no way to remove the hidden rust. As noted above my main concern is having the underneath look like a patchwork job with all the weld seams plainly visible. The only rustproofing products I am aware of that actually work are the oil based ones and they are very messy. I had my 09 and now my 2018 Silverado both oil under coated and it does a great job however it is not too popular with the mechanics that have to do any work underneath.
Steve... Go to a place they do spray in bed liners for pickup trucks. Nice thick rubbery type coating... will cover all the flaws, and look like original undercoating.
Those accustomed to the finest...find it in Chevrolet. 1953 Belair Convertible 1951 2dr Deluxe Sedan 2015 GMC SLE 4X4
Bruce that is exactly the info I was looking for as I had considered that product bur was not sure it was OK. It would be nice to get it sprayed before setting on the chassis.
