12 replies to this topic

[austinmini1963]

Hi there, I am just at the stage of my project mini where I was going to underseal the car so I went out and bought some new waxoyl underseal, The underside of the car is clean and a friend told me he would biff me one if I undersealed it. Also I have heard mixed reviews on underseal, whats everyones opinion on what I should do?

Here are a few piccys of my mini










Tom :)

[abe46]

if it has not been coated in anti stone chip paint at least, i would under seal it!

[minimad82]

same here, or maybe a clear underseal

[kieranjt]

you need to protect all of your hard work somehow!

[bluesprite]

How could you possibly have a problem with rust proofing a mini? Are you sure he didn't say he'd biff you if you didn't coat it twice?

Edited by bluesprite, 31 January 2012 - 05:22 PM.

[thebullet]

Now is the ideal time when it is dry and muck free.

Well worth it, but horrible job.

[TA2DMAC]

Just make sure you do the proper prepwork before applying the underseal and don't get go too thick. If done right it works perfectly if done wrong it can become a moisture and rust magnet.

[minidaves]

noooooo keep it clean and a little clear waxoyl will do the job perfect, underseal is horrid stuff u only see the rust when its too late

dave

[austinmini1963]

Hi thanks for the good response, the car hasn't got any anti stone chip paint under it, just red oxide, some black hammerite paint and a couple of coats of surf blue. The car does look really good underneath, but I rather underseal it and not really have to worry about her too much.

I have found some good reviews on a mercedes forum on the hammerite underseal with added waxoyl so I will go ahead and apply it in the next few weeks after I take the rear subframe out to re do the suspension bushes.

There are a few more pics of the car on my local club site if you want to peek:
www.thanetclassics.co.uk

[AVV IT]

Bitumen based underseal is a reasonable enough product and certainly much better than nothing at all. I even use it under the arches on my car, but then mine is an average tidyish daily drive, not a gleaming restored project. Underseal is also rather primitive though and there really are better rustproofing options out there these days. Underseal can also have a nasty habit of trapping water and moisture behind it sometimes, thereby causing horrendous corrosion problems underneath. There have been quite a few gruesome discoveries of the horrors that can lurk behind underseal, shown in some of the build threads here.

Instead, I would apply etch primer to bare metal first, then a decent based zinc primer, then stone chip, then top coat, and then cover it all with waxoyl, protecting the front end areas with a pair of plastic wheelarch liners too.

Edited by AVV IT, 01 February 2012 - 09:26 PM.

[darkviper222]

I am in the motortrade and have came across this question many times. DO NOT USE underseal as its not worth the trouble later on down the road (no pun intended). As stated in a previous reply use a good quality clear wax oil.

[tiger99]

You could probably use stonechip on top of the paint (maybe rub it down first to give a key), but you might want another colour coat over it for the sake of appearance.

Please do not use underseal. As has been said already, it is ok for a while, but then becomes loose, traps water and actually causes corrosion. It is horrid to apply, and in the end is destructive.

Wax type rust preventers like Wayoyl don't have many disadvantages, but will need to be recoated every year to remain effective on exposed underbody.

Edited by tiger99, 01 February 2012 - 11:42 PM.

[jonny d]

I've used the under seal with added waxoyl other than it not drying totally and getting it on your hands etc, it is very good stuff it also takes a bit of a bashing from stones thrown up under the wings 3 years later and it is still where it should be so I would recommend this stuff