Undercoating removal

Ok, in a previous post I was asking if oven cleaner would work and I got a bunch of replies as well as suggestions.

Having heard its the cats azz I would have used a hotsy and pressure washed it off but that wasn't an option so ...

Once before I had hit it with a needle scaler without much luck BUT I had previously ground the needles to a point because I was trying to peen an intake (that didn't work). So, I ground the needles flat and tried again and VOILA, it works awesome.

Here are a couple tips ...
- needles need to be flat at the ends - flat but sharp so grinding them is a good idea.
- you want a low angle of attack so that the needles chip it off as opposed to digging in.
- hold the tool hard against the panel and push hard and fast - it will peel the stuff off as fast as you move the tool. Go over the area if need be.

The scaler does a great job in the tight spits too.

Here are some pics. I did one whole wheel well in 20 minutes INCLUDING the cleanup !!

Easy cleanup, no sticky crap stuck to the floor ...

What's a needle scaler look like?

What does it do to,the painted surface? Does it do anything to,the metal or paint? It looks like it has chipped the paint. Thanks for the input on this messy subject.

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbt...tml#Post2326218

Same thing I did with my air chisel on low pressure, but I'll get the wire one to try also.

Its an aggressive tool so yes, it scratches the paint - but the car will be completely stripped once the mini tubs are done and some other sheet metal work.

Does it do anything to the metal ... I'm going to say nothing that won't be covered by the new coating (you'd be a fool if you only paint wheel wells!).

Needle scaler ...

Air chisel is a heavier tool and good for flat surfaces whereas the needle scaler is much lighter and will clean in tighter spots. Even being lighter, my shoulder was sore after doing the one well.

I run that scaler at a full 100 psi.

For the time it would take to do a large area, why not rent a hot pressure washer?

I used a small hand held torch and a putty knife. Did the entire underside of the car that way. Was pretty easy and it came off in chunks.



Weighed almost 50 pounds.