[Gerrad Friedline (Gmfried]

I need to strip that 1/2" buildup of undercoating from the floorpans, and around the frame components. What is the best method, for doing it in my garage? I see mechanical stripper wheels, and chemical strippers, but what works best. I have also read about the heat guns for use on rubberized coatings, but how do I know?

[Chase Rath (70wss)]

There are lots of ways, all have pros and cons. You can use diesel fuel to soften undercoating, of course this is a fire hazard, Eastwood makes a remover, but it is expensive, scraping it off creates some real nasty dust, you could use a torch to heat it up, but again you could set something on fire. Never fun removing undercoat.

[Richard Ward (Richard)]

I've done this 3 times now

I used a good heatgun {I burned out 5 cheap ones}. I used a long handled scraper with about a 1" tip which does not want to be so sharp that it digs into the metal. I heated the underseal just enough to soften it and most of it scraped away easily.

I was still left with a residue which I removed by spraying with a gasoline/diesel mix {we get quite a bit of this free from time to time from confused self sevice types}however most solvents from kerosene to cellulose thinners will remove underseal just be careful as all of them are flammable and the fumes are not too healthy either. I use old bathroom cleaner squeeze trigger sprays {or similar} but get a few as they don't like solvents much. I used loads of old rags {towelling is best} to clean up the resulting mess. This is not a quick or pleasant job.

I did 2 cars like this on my back. For No 3 I made a rotisserie this is the way to go much easier and healthier!

Our shop is pretty big I wouldn,t do anything like this in a small 1-2 car garage you need to be outside really.

You may also find that steam cleaning will remove quite a bit especially if you pre soften it with diesel and let it soak for a couple of days.

As Chase says with the dust ,fumes and fire hazard this is definately no fun. Good luck