Undercarriage paint removal. (19 Viewers)

[hikerfisher]

The dealer (or PO) painted over rust on the undercarriage of my 2006 LX, which I bought remotely (I know- I’ll be willing to explain this boneheaded move later). Of course, if they had just left it rusty, my job would’ve been much easier. Near as I can determine, the frame rails are ok, but there’s plenty of surface rust, and the passenger side rocker panel is partially or totally toast. I think I can save this car- in fact I don’t have a choice, but how do I get this damn paint off? I’ve heard of some sort of dry ice bast, and of course I’ve tried a paint and varnish stripping gel, but letting it sit overnight, then scraping, didn’t do much good.

I guess I’ll have to live with committing an ID 10 T mistake, but I’d like to be an idiot driving a hundy.

 

[Super77]

Dry ice blasting is a thing, but it is fairly gentle. It’s more of a cleaning method than metal prep. You’d probably have to find someone to do it because the tools are $$$. You can also try bead blasting if you have an open space you don’t mind getting messy. ~$120 at Harbor Fright will buy you a portable sandblasting kit, a protective hood and gloves, and 25# of 80 grit glass bead.

Crushed walnut shell media is a little gentler and will biodegrade if you’re working outside.

 

[Kabanstva]

Please post pics for a clearer picture of what we are dealing with here.

 

[hikerfisher]

Please post pics for a clearer picture of what we are dealing with here.

Here are pics- drive shaft, passenger frame rail, passenger rocker panel.

 

[Vthelexus]

Have you thought of using wire brush?

https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-Brushes-Cleaning-Scrubbing/dp/B0C7QGDNRL/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3M9A225C9AVJ0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LniPPzYggHs1AxMPjX6_c5L2GuCd4zkuOsFzMJiUbM_4c4azjYk71FnnBMy7LYn5lyPhIpgUunyvexclICxEEpQMj6G17mKbP2W5WTfA4W-y-qkgJYrWPv6g0e5BfJjER5z8gek8SaQlJ-DVXN6Eolf5it3Tjiyf9CDN2waBshEyyB-6AndSr41-7-WlYGusf5fytk6CjkYOeuuS88rKfHatYAgnKLV2K7B2-sHqKYI.0NNInMYf-cTC2-gTHKg37DsG95B5IbpMoQGoIPBoRFU&dib_tag=se&keywords=coarse%2Bwire%2Bbrush&qid=1760139994&sprefix=coarse%2Bwire%2Bbrush%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-7&th=1

or drill attachments?

https://www.amazon.com/Carbon-Rocaris-Removal-Corrosion-Surfaces/dp/B0BLGKLLCG/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3M9A225C9AVJ0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LniPPzYggHs1AxMPjX6_c5L2GuCd4zkuOsFzMJiUbM_4c4azjYk71FnnBMy7LYn5lyPhIpgUunyvexclICxEEpQMj6G17mKbP2W5WTfA4W-y-qkgJYrWPv6g0e5BfJjER5z8gek8SaQlJ-DVXN6Eolf5it3Tjiyf9CDN2waBshEyyB-6AndSr41-7-WlYGusf5fytk6CjkYOeuuS88rKfHatYAgnKLV2K7B2-sHqKYI.0NNInMYf-cTC2-gTHKg37DsG95B5IbpMoQGoIPBoRFU&dib_tag=se&keywords=coarse%2Bwire%2Bbrush&qid=1760139994&sprefix=coarse%2Bwire%2Bbrush%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-4&th=1

 

[hikerfisher]

Have you thought of using wire brush?

https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-Brushes-Cleaning-Scrubbing/dp/B0C7QGDNRL/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3M9A225C9AVJ0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LniPPzYggHs1AxMPjX6_c5L2GuCd4zkuOsFzMJiUbM_4c4azjYk71FnnBMy7LYn5lyPhIpgUunyvexclICxEEpQMj6G17mKbP2W5WTfA4W-y-qkgJYrWPv6g0e5BfJjER5z8gek8SaQlJ-DVXN6Eolf5it3Tjiyf9CDN2waBshEyyB-6AndSr41-7-WlYGusf5fytk6CjkYOeuuS88rKfHatYAgnKLV2K7B2-sHqKYI.0NNInMYf-cTC2-gTHKg37DsG95B5IbpMoQGoIPBoRFU&dib_tag=se&keywords=coarse%2Bwire%2Bbrush&qid=1760139994&sprefix=coarse%2Bwire%2Bbrush%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-7&th=1

or drill attachments?

https://www.amazon.com/Carbon-Rocaris-Removal-Corrosion-Surfaces/dp/B0BLGKLLCG/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3M9A225C9AVJ0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LniPPzYggHs1AxMPjX6_c5L2GuCd4zkuOsFzMJiUbM_4c4azjYk71FnnBMy7LYn5lyPhIpgUunyvexclICxEEpQMj6G17mKbP2W5WTfA4W-y-qkgJYrWPv6g0e5BfJjER5z8gek8SaQlJ-DVXN6Eolf5it3Tjiyf9CDN2waBshEyyB-6AndSr41-7-WlYGusf5fytk6CjkYOeuuS88rKfHatYAgnKLV2K7B2-sHqKYI.0NNInMYf-cTC2-gTHKg37DsG95B5IbpMoQGoIPBoRFU&dib_tag=se&keywords=coarse%2Bwire%2Bbrush&qid=1760139994&sprefix=coarse%2Bwire%2Bbrush%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-4&th=1

Ya- good question. I’ve started using an angle grinder with a rope wire brush. I love this thing, but it’ll take forever. I’m also using a hand wire brush, screwdriver, hammer etc. I’m 71 next week, so I don’t have the stamina or strength of you young studs. Not complaining, just sayin.

 

[Vthelexus]

Got it. I also had good results with this: Aircraft Ultra Paint Remover Qt QAR4000 - https://www.eastwood.com/aircraft-ultra-paint-remover-qt-qar4000.html?srsltid=AfmBOopmdbtKIg8UYJLbPr11XJcL7C3VykdTxkwcKaD1rvdHklqxq2z-lKU takes only minutes

 

[Nardulli]

I used dry ice blasting. It got me down to a super clean surface. I then treated it all with rust converter. After that, high solids black paint. Totally worth it.