How do I remove the Bumpy Undercoat on the front Valance?

[scotricker]

I want it to be just smooth metal. I don't like the bumpy undercoat. I know it's all factory original and all, blah blah,,,etc... How can I remove that stuff? Scrape? Paint Remover?

[john walker's workshop]

heat gun and a scraper. it will get all chipped up if it's smooth though.

[Canada Kev]

Yep, what JW said. Though if you use a heavy duty paint like Imron or Endura, it'll take longer to get all chipped.

[billjam]

I have just been through this exercise and tried a few methods.
Sandblasting didn't even look at it.
A scraper clamped to heat gun worked reasonably well, but still left residue that had to be wire-buffed off.
During the wire buffing stage, I found that a good stiff wire buff on an angle grinder was by far the easiest way to remove the coating regardless of whether it was the residue from scraping or full thickness (about 2mm), so I ended up doing most of it with the angle grinder and wire wheel.
I removed the coating from the inside as well, so some small wire buffs (1/4" shank) in my electric drill got me into the tight spaces where the 100mm angle grinder wouldn't fit.

[Chuck.H]

Mine came off easily with 'aircraft' paint remover. I did get the 3M stuff to recover it though, I think it's call shutz or something. Comes with it's own sprayer that attaches to the bottle. In my case I got lucky because the 3M white matches my GP white pretty good, so I just sprayed and clearcoated it.

I don't normally use paint remover, but this is a discreet piece that when off the car can be rinsed pretty good afterwards...

Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 341k miles

[Tippy]

Someone here posted they used one of those multi-tools that has the vibrating head that barely moves left and right. Simply used the blade type one and it sawed right through the stuff fairly easy according to the OP.

[rothaus]

Originally Posted by billjam

I have just been through this exercise and tried a few methods.
Sandblasting didn't even look at it.
A scraper clamped to heat gun worked reasonably well, but still left residue that had to be wire-buffed off.
During the wire buffing stage, I found that a good stiff wire buff on an angle grinder was by far the easiest way to remove the coating regardless of whether it was the residue from scraping or full thickness (about 2mm), so I ended up doing most of it with the angle grinder and wire wheel.
I removed the coating from the inside as well, so some small wire buffs (1/4" shank) in my electric drill got me into the tight spaces where the 100mm angle grinder wouldn't fit.

Does the wire wheel not also remove the galvanized layer from the sheet metal ?

[kodioneill]

Originally Posted by Tippy

Someone here posted they used one of those multi-tools that has the vibrating head that barely moves left and right. Simply used the blade type one and it sawed right through the stuff fairly easy according to the OP.

I think this is the best method. +1 worked good for me.

[jpnovak]

You rang?

Undercoating Removal - The Fastest Method Yet!

follow this up with a wire wheel and you have nice clean shiny metal waiting for degrease and primer/paint steps.

[scotricker]

thanks! I love HF. I'll go get one of those .

[Tippy]

Originally Posted by jpnovak

You rang?

Undercoating Removal - The Fastest Method Yet!

follow this up with a wire wheel and you have nice clean shiny metal waiting for degrease and primer/paint steps.

Ha, I didn't realize that was you that posted that.