Underbody preparation advice needed

[Pad]

Hello,

My name is Pad, new here, hello! I am currently undertaking a full restoration of a 69 Bay window camper. As with many of these things, it started off as just a basic repaint, but have now progressed to a full strip and proper job... the bus has been imported from Texas so is unbelievably solid so seems a shame not to go the full hog on it.

Anyway, I am currently tackling the underneath and have stripped all suspension etc off so it is just the shell underneath. Everything is super solid but over the years in the Texan desert it has accumulated a sort of 'rust dust' surface. I have started rubbing down with scotchbrite but this is extremely tiresome and I cant get into all the nooks and crannies.

First question, I assume that I cant just paint over this surface as even though its just a dusting, it will cause problems later?

If so, what is the best way to prep? I could invest in a sand blasting equipment if necessary... if that is the best way to go then what would be best to hook up to my Hydrovane 15 (3hp 150PSi)?

And finally, once prepped, what would be the best primer/coating to apply? I want it to be protected well for the future..

A couple of photos so you can see what I am talking about

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Pad

 

[pedrobedro]

I'd leave that alone and Waxoyl it thoroughly unless you want it to look shiny underneath.

 

[garethp]

Welcome to the forum, I've got a 74 bay which is in much worse condition than yours! (Its currently in bits - I'm calling it 'project cheese grater')

I would look at blasting it, its the only way you'll get rid of all the rust, especially in the many corners. Have a look at http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=33489 about painting it afterwards. You want something tough underneath, especially in the arches.

Dont forget to inject rust proofing stuff into the chassis rails and other cavities - you dont want it to rust from the inside, I've had to patch some of the rails on mine and its amazing how much rust/muck can be inside.

I've read a bit recently about Dinitrol products being more upto date than Waxoyl.

 

[armalites]

Hello,

My name is Pad, new here, hello! I am currently undertaking a full restoration of a 69 Bay window camper. As with many of these things, it started off as just a basic repaint, but have now progressed to a full strip and proper job... the bus has been imported from Texas so is unbelievably solid so seems a shame not to go the full hog on it.

Anyway, I am currently tackling the underneath and have stripped all suspension etc off so it is just the shell underneath. Everything is super solid but over the years in the Texan desert it has accumulated a sort of 'rust dust' surface. I have started rubbing down with scotchbrite but this is extremely tiresome and I cant get into all the nooks and crannies.

First question, I assume that I cant just paint over this surface as even though its just a dusting, it will cause problems later?

If so, what is the best way to prep? I could invest in a sand blasting equipment if necessary... if that is the best way to go then what would be best to hook up to my Hydrovane 15 (3hp 150PSi)?

And finally, once prepped, what would be the best primer/coating to apply? I want it to be protected well for the future..

A couple of photos so you can see what I am talking about

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Pad

Have a look at rust.co.uk they sell the Dinitrol stuff mentioned above. They also sell a product called FE123 that is a rust converter which can be painted over. Their epoxy chassis paint is very good too.

As you are aware in Bay window terms yours is 'mint'

 

[Dave3066]

Have a look at rust.co.uk they sell the Dinitrol stuff mentioned above. They also sell a product called FE123 that is a rust converter which can be painted over. Their epoxy chassis paint is very good too.

+1

I use both FE123 and Epoxy Mastic 121 on my classic cars and both are excellent.

Dave

 

[Pad]

Thanks for the responses everyone, I think I might try the rust converter on a small area to see if it works ok - if I can avoid blasting I'd like to because I know it's going to make an awful mess...

And yes, I am aware it's mint - I'll never buy a European bus again! Last one I had, it had to be swept off the driveway..

Cheers
Pad

 

[andyv]

I'd leave that alone and Waxoyl it thoroughly unless you want it to look shiny underneath.

I'd second that. I know it would look great with an all over shiny paint job, but it would be hard to keep it looking good in this climate. My camper (I've a 79 Westfalia) seems to have been Waxoyled early on in life and has got hardly any corrosion underneath. It just needs a couple of hours work every few years and it should stay that way.

 

[Pad]

Just looking at that Epoxy Mastic and it says it's two pack - is that using the same sort of iso-cyanate hardner that normal 2K paint does? I can't paint 2k (don't want to either), all my work is in Celly...

 

[andyv]

See my comments on 29107 primer. Like you all my work so far is in celly and I've presumed epoxy primer will be safe using an organic solvent mask. I'm waiting to see whether I receive a dire warning not to do this before proceeding.

 

[Pad]

ha, yes - just seen that Andy... bit of a result if it's safe. Will wait to see a response (on there or here!). Getting quite excited about doing it now!

Cheers,
Pad