Underseal

[avityesboy]

Hi all

When time and weather allow i am thinking of undersealing my FD3, but just wondering what to clean the underneath with prior to doing it as i dont want to seal in the crud that will already be under it? Also what do you guys recommend using as the sealant and can i just put it on and forget it or will i need to re-do it yearly?

Cheers All Avi

PS Thanks all for the advice on taking it easy while i get used to the power as its still in one piece! Mind you did have one slightly dodgy moment and got told off by the girlfriend. lol

[Grizzly]

Get a good pair of Goggles and a wire brush and spend an hour or so before hand wire brushings all the loose crud off then i\'d say give it a good blow off with an air line (if you have access) and then prime any bare metal and your away.

As for how often?? Depends on what you use.. If you use wax oil then at the end of every summer,Shutz type coatings are designed to be good for two to three years without recoating, i personaly use one called Black Wax which is like a thick wax oil that when you warm up (say on a hot day) will seal any scuffs or light damage up this is done every two years roughly, be carfull with some of the Cheaper Stone chip type protection as its designed to be painted over.

[grinder]

when i did the welding on mine

the bare metal got 2 coats of hammerite with rust treatment first then 2 coats of hammerite underseal with added waxoyl

its been 12 months since i did it and its still tacky in places ( which is a good sign - as it wont chip off  )

it was a £5 a tin at halfrauds - but worth every penny

when i get chance im gonna give mine another going over - id rather spend £10 - £30 a year on underseal than 7 weeks under the car with a welder

i go with grizzly\'s idea - get the loose stuff off with a wire brush and get the underseal slapped on

[avityesboy]

Ok thanks for the advice!

Avi

[avityesboy]

Oh and should i do things like the suspension arms? and does it matter if it is close to the exhaust system? Cheers avi

[Grizzly]

No don\'t do your suspension arms, and Don\'t get it on the exhaust..

Try to keep it on the floor of the car, you don\'t need to put it all over the suspension becouse Alloy don\'t rot

Watch moving parts etc becouse they may get clogged up and start sticking or not working properly.

[grinder]

my plan is

1 - chassis
2 - rails ( i have them on the fc not sure about FD ?? )
3 - wheel arches if they are metal
4 - spare wheel well ( inside and out - they rot like hell on the fc )

you should see what has already been done - so just over paint it - if it hasnt got any on - there might be a reason for this

and if it gets toooo close to the exhaust - it will prob melt off

the stuff from halfords is like a very thick treacle - you spread it on rather than paint it - bugger to get off yours hands though - and best idea is you local £1 shop for brushes - paint it - throw them away

Stu