Underbody clean up - 2021 recommendations

Please restrict your questions and replies to Capri related technical issues!
User avatar
MiniMan
Posts: 302
Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2010 5:13 pm
Car(s): 1.6 Ford Capri Laser, 1986, Diamond white with half white leather recaro interior

Underbody clean up - 2021 recommendations

Post by MiniMan »

Hi all,

Firstly thank you for all your help last week with the removal of a stubborn leaf spring. The 9" angle grinder worked a treat, if not a little scary.

Now everything is off the rear (leaf springs, diff and fuel tank) I wanted to take the opportunity to clean it all up. Since I've owned the car it's been covered in waxoyl. I've began the lengthy process of removing this using white spirit, a wire brush and plenty of paper towels.

Once clean does anyone have any recommendations what to do next... My original plan was to stonechip all the underside, including the wheel arches and then coat in clear film dynax https://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/product/ ... wax-750ml/ .. frost paints do a white stone chip so this would be perfect for the wheel arches https://www.frost.co.uk/extreme-paint-o ... hite-1ltr/ with the clear film dynax over the top...but I'm still not sure... there is also little patches of service rust that I was planning to treat using a product like kurust.

I'm not a huge fan of waxoyl but Iwould like to hear everyone's thoughts. I realise new products are coming out every week... so I know this area of protection is constantly evolving.

Thanks as always
Sam
Image
User avatar
Jasonmarie
Donator
Donator
Posts: 4707
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2015 12:30 am
Car(s): Ford Capri 2.0 Laser Mercury Grey 1987 hobby .
Mercedes Vito tourer 2.1 Big Bus Daily Driver
Location: Kent

Re: Underbody clean up - 2021 recommendations

Post by Jasonmarie »

A great question my Capri was treated in Dintrol from new and I top up every 5 years . Reading in many classic car magazines this always comes out top . I spoke to the original owner a few years back and his first words was “ I knew Dintrol would be worth the money as its expensive but well worth the money “

Here’s the web site https://www.dinitroldirect.com/?utm_sou ... 7UQAvD_BwE
Ford Capri 2.0 Laser 1987 Mercury Grey ....... :beer:
User avatar
pbar
Posts: 7424
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:29 pm
Car(s): Capri 2.0 Laser, frequent driver.
Location: North-West

Re: Underbody clean up - 2021 recommendations

Post by pbar »

MiniMan wrote: Sun Feb 14, 2021 4:47 pm Once clean does anyone have any recommendations what to do next.

Depends on your objective really, are you wanting it to look mint for shows, etc. or more concerned about being practical, using something you can keep on top of over the years and keep the car protected. My mindset is more the latter, I favour Hammerite Under Body Seal, it is easy and quick to apply and keep the car topped up and I trust the brand (Hammerite)

Image

Also, I wouldn't rule out simply painting (either brush on or spray) the underside first with a standard (any colour you wish but I prefer the normal satin black) Hammerite paints, that stuff is incredibly protective, I mean, it is used on bare metal gates and railings isn't it, which are out in all weathers and protects those for years.
User avatar
Bug
Posts: 3756
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 3:52 pm
Car(s): Some

Re: Underbody clean up - 2021 recommendations

Post by Bug »

I am not such a fan of the paint on Waxoyl as it always seemed to go harder and then be liable to crack and let moisture in under it.
The same would possibly apply to Hammerite. Garden railings don't tend to flex like the body of a car would, so may give a slightly false impression.
Everyone will have their own thoughts obviously, but my preferred option, employed successfully on many cars since 1983 has been to use the spray on Waxoyl. I used to dilute some of it a little with white spirit and spray it into all the nooks and crannies. Being a bit thinner it would aid its natural capillary action and creep as far up the joins as possible. Then I'd go back over the whole car again, with undiluted Waxoyl spray. I used to repeat this process every 3 years or so and never had any issues.
I would recommend though that you wait for the hottest day possible, park the car on polythene sheets (or somebody else's drive ;) ), then take it for a drive down the dustiest road you can find. And after all that you will still get drips for a week or two.
andyd
Posts: 8268
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2014 10:43 am
Car(s): 1981 XR3
Location: Devon

Re: Underbody clean up - 2021 recommendations

Post by andyd »

I had clear Waxoyl spray on my Sierra a few years ago.

I have heard Dinitrol is good but no experience of it!
Mc Tool
Donator
Donator
Posts: 2360
Joined: Sat May 17, 2014 8:34 pm
Car(s): 1980 mk3 capri 2l ohc T9 , Toyota Blade Master 3.5l V6, Paso , 850T,rd400, 900ss
Location: Invercargill New Zealand

Re: Underbody clean up - 2021 recommendations

Post by Mc Tool »

Fisholine works good too
Screenshot_20210216-075503.png
Sometimes I talk to myself ... and we both have a good laugh
User avatar
Bug
Posts: 3756
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 3:52 pm
Car(s): Some

Re: Underbody clean up - 2021 recommendations

Post by Bug »

Mc Tool wrote: Mon Feb 15, 2021 6:56 pm Fisholine works good too
Screenshot_20210216-075503.png
Oh for Cod's sake man! you haddock me going there for a minute!
Maybe we should all line up and conger down to the local auto store for some. In fact there's a decent bloke with a shop near me. Eel take of the VAT, so we only pay the net value.
Anyway, enough hilarity for now. I know my plaice. :D
mjcapri
Donator
Donator
Posts: 1893
Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2008 5:23 pm
Car(s): Diamond White Granada 24v

Caspian Blue Sierra XR4i

Stealth Grey Focus RS

Storm Grey Fiesta ST200 (actually belongs to the missus!)

Mean Green Fiesta ST-3

Re: Underbody clean up - 2021 recommendations

Post by mjcapri »

Bug wrote: Mon Feb 15, 2021 12:45 pm I am not such a fan of the paint on Waxoyl as it always seemed to go harder and then be liable to crack and let moisture in under it.
The same would possibly apply to Hammerite. Garden railings don't tend to flex like the body of a car would, so may give a slightly false impression.
Everyone will have their own thoughts obviously, but my preferred option, employed successfully on many cars since 1983 has been to use the spray on Waxoyl. I used to dilute some of it a little with white spirit and spray it into all the nooks and crannies. Being a bit thinner it would aid its natural capillary action and creep as far up the joins as possible. Then I'd go back over the whole car again, with undiluted Waxoyl spray. I used to repeat this process every 3 years or so and never had any issues.
I would recommend though that you wait for the hottest day possible, park the car on polythene sheets (or somebody else's drive ;) ), then take it for a drive down the dustiest road you can find. And after all that you will still get drips for a week or two.
I’ve got to say I agree with you here. Hammerite belongs on gates and railings (at a push!) certainly not on cars. When it fails (which it will) it needs to be completely removed as it isn’t over-paintable which only adds to my dislike of it. Each to their own but I’m speaking from experience here....

The Waxoyl suggestion is a good practical solution, as you say you just need to top it up every so often (and avoid steam cleaning!).

As the OP has said there are loads of products out there these days and some of them are excellent (I really like Bilt Hamber stuff) but the problem is you need to start from scratch to get the benefit of them. In this case I’d probably stick with the original plan but look at using Bilt Hamber products (Deox GEL and Electrox) to clean and protect the rusty bits before going over with the stone chip. There’s some good info here: https://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/ ... p?t=276896 and on the Bilt Hamber website obviously.
User avatar
pbar
Posts: 7424
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:29 pm
Car(s): Capri 2.0 Laser, frequent driver.
Location: North-West

Re: Underbody clean up - 2021 recommendations

Post by pbar »

Bug wrote: Mon Feb 15, 2021 12:45 pm Garden railings don't tend to flex
Hi Martin, hope you're keeping well. Garden gates do flex/spring quite a bit, especially larger ones and/or those made with thinner material. Certainly, double gates I used to have at one point sprung and flexed quite a bit. A neighbour has a single gate covering his drive, and you can see the movement and twist in that as the Herculean postman boings it open, it's like a giant tuning fork. Railings expand/contract in weather extremes too obviously, it can be a nightmare if thinner material is used as you think you have a nice snug fit, then you have a look some weeks later when the weather has changed and gaps have appeared due to weather and temperature changes.

I maintain that Hammerite paint gives an excellent protection, I've made and welded garden ornaments, just for fun and practice, using bare steel and those have been out in all weathers permanently, just with quick brush on Hammerite standard paint, no sign of any corrosion on any of the metal or welds. Gives a lovely smooth finish too, it was a good experiment actually.

Thanks for your response Martin, I always value your opinions.
Last edited by pbar on Tue Feb 16, 2021 12:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
pbar
Posts: 7424
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:29 pm
Car(s): Capri 2.0 Laser, frequent driver.
Location: North-West

Re: Underbody clean up - 2021 recommendations

Post by pbar »

Bug wrote: Tue Feb 16, 2021 8:02 am Oh for Cod's sake man! you haddock me going there for a minute!

You ain't got no sole, brother!
User avatar
Bug
Posts: 3756
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 3:52 pm
Car(s): Some

Re: Underbody clean up - 2021 recommendations

Post by Bug »

pbar wrote: Tue Feb 16, 2021 12:21 pm
Bug wrote: Mon Feb 15, 2021 12:45 pm Garden railings don't tend to flex
Hi Martin, hope you're keeping well. Garden gates do flex/spring quite a bit, especially larger ones and/or those made with thinner material. Certainly, double gates I used to have at one point sprung and flexed quite a bit. A neighbour has a single gate covering his drive, and you can see the movement and twist in that as the Herculean postman boings it open, it's like a giant tuning fork. Railings expand/contract in weather extremes too obviously, it can be a nightmare if thinner material is used as you think you have a nice snug fit, then you have a look some weeks later when the weather has changed and gaps have appeared due to weather and temperature changes.

I maintain that Hammerite paint gives an excellent protection, I've made and welded garden ornaments, just for fun and practice, using bare steel and those have been out in all weathers permanently, just with quick brush on Hammerite standard paint, no sign of any corrosion on any of the metal or welds. Gives a lovely smooth finish too, it was a good experiment actually.

Thanks for your response Martin, I always value your opinions.
Yup, I re-read my post and it did sound like a dig. Sorry, wasn't the intention. Probably not a good analogy in hindsight.
I too, have used hammerite and smoothrite in vast quantities over the years. In fact, I have a bright yellow pair of brake calipers hardening under the hall radiator as I type, ready to go on wifey's Z4 at the weekend. I still maintain though that, under the car, out of sight, the paint can crack or be chipped, then let moisture in. Waxoil tends to heal itself and even if a small area is exposed, the moisture can't really creep further under it.
User avatar
Bug
Posts: 3756
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 3:52 pm
Car(s): Some

Re: Underbody clean up - 2021 recommendations

Post by Bug »

pbar wrote: Tue Feb 16, 2021 12:22 pm
Bug wrote: Tue Feb 16, 2021 8:02 am Oh for Cod's sake man! you haddock me going there for a minute!

You ain't got no sole, brother!
Just phishin'
User avatar
pbar
Posts: 7424
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:29 pm
Car(s): Capri 2.0 Laser, frequent driver.
Location: North-West

Re: Underbody clean up - 2021 recommendations

Post by pbar »

Bug wrote: Tue Feb 16, 2021 1:58 pm I too, have used hammerite and smoothrite in vast quantities over the years. In fact, I have a bright yellow pair of brake calipers hardening under the hall radiator as I type

That under-the-radiator spot makes for a good paint booth oven doesn't it :) Lost count of the amount of things I've placed there, and even very recently the radiator behind me right now has been serving that purpose.
mjcapri
Donator
Donator
Posts: 1893
Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2008 5:23 pm
Car(s): Diamond White Granada 24v

Caspian Blue Sierra XR4i

Stealth Grey Focus RS

Storm Grey Fiesta ST200 (actually belongs to the missus!)

Mean Green Fiesta ST-3

Re: Underbody clean up - 2021 recommendations

Post by mjcapri »

Bug wrote: Tue Feb 16, 2021 1:58 pm
pbar wrote: Tue Feb 16, 2021 12:21 pm
Bug wrote: Mon Feb 15, 2021 12:45 pm Garden railings don't tend to flex
Hi Martin, hope you're keeping well. Garden gates do flex/spring quite a bit, especially larger ones and/or those made with thinner material. Certainly, double gates I used to have at one point sprung and flexed quite a bit. A neighbour has a single gate covering his drive, and you can see the movement and twist in that as the Herculean postman boings it open, it's like a giant tuning fork. Railings expand/contract in weather extremes too obviously, it can be a nightmare if thinner material is used as you think you have a nice snug fit, then you have a look some weeks later when the weather has changed and gaps have appeared due to weather and temperature changes.

I maintain that Hammerite paint gives an excellent protection, I've made and welded garden ornaments, just for fun and practice, using bare steel and those have been out in all weathers permanently, just with quick brush on Hammerite standard paint, no sign of any corrosion on any of the metal or welds. Gives a lovely smooth finish too, it was a good experiment actually.

Thanks for your response Martin, I always value your opinions.
Yup, I re-read my post and it did sound like a dig. Sorry, wasn't the intention. Probably not a good analogy in hindsight.
I too, have used hammerite and smoothrite in vast quantities over the years. In fact, I have a bright yellow pair of brake calipers hardening under the hall radiator as I type, ready to go on wifey's Z4 at the weekend. I still maintain though that, under the car, out of sight, the paint can crack or be chipped, then let moisture in. Waxoil tends to heal itself and even if a small area is exposed, the moisture can't really creep further under it.
The main problem with it is that it relies simply on forming a film to seperate the metal from oxygen and moisture, there's nothing 'clever' about it. If you properly prepare a piece of steel/iron, paint it with Hammerite and keep it in an environment where the film isn't compromised, for example through impact damage or flexing, it will provide protection. The underside of a vehicle isn't such an environment unfortunately. I've seen countless examples where Hammerite has been used and has been chipped or otherwise damaged and not only has the exposed area corroded but so has the surrounding metal which still appeared to be protected as moisture had got behind the paint. The fact that you then need to remove every last trace of the stuff before repainting with something else is the final kick in the proverbials for me! Even on clean metal an epxoy mastic is infinitely superior in every way, I just see no reason to use Hammerite these days.

As above I'm not having a dig at anybody either, I'm simply stating what I have found works and doesn't work over the years. 8-)
Mc Tool
Donator
Donator
Posts: 2360
Joined: Sat May 17, 2014 8:34 pm
Car(s): 1980 mk3 capri 2l ohc T9 , Toyota Blade Master 3.5l V6, Paso , 850T,rd400, 900ss
Location: Invercargill New Zealand

Re: Underbody clean up - 2021 recommendations

Post by Mc Tool »

Bug wrote: Tue Feb 16, 2021 8:02 am
Mc Tool wrote: Mon Feb 15, 2021 6:56 pm Fisholine works good too
Screenshot_20210216-075503.png
Oh for Cod's sake man! you haddock me going there for a minute!
Maybe we should all line up and conger down to the local auto store for some. In fact there's a decent bloke with a shop near me. Eel take of the VAT, so we only pay the net value.
Anyway, enough hilarity for now. I know my plaice. :D
You missed a couple 😝
Sometimes I talk to myself ... and we both have a good laugh
User avatar
MiniMan
Posts: 302
Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2010 5:13 pm
Car(s): 1.6 Ford Capri Laser, 1986, Diamond white with half white leather recaro interior

Re: Underbody clean up - 2021 recommendations

Post by MiniMan »

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all your comments regarding this. I'm still a little unsure what path to go down but appreciate all the advice.
I'll do my best to keep you updated with my progress... once the underside is clean and I can move forward with the next steps :D .

Thanks again
Sam
Image
User avatar
Noel
Donator
Donator
Posts: 530
Joined: Thu May 19, 2011 7:57 pm
Car(s): Capri 2.8i
Range Rover
M140i
Location: Twickenham

Re: Underbody clean up - 2021 recommendations

Post by Noel »

Hi,
I've got a similar query, and its similar enough not to start a new thread.
Had some sill replaced a few years ago and a localised paint up over the top. Easy to blow in as it was all below the lovely big rubbing strips.
Now this paint is flaking off (see pic) in fact you can see the spray job was just blown over the black storage paint. You get what you pay for eh?

Need to do similar underneath the sill too as its flaking off there as well. Luckily all metal exposed is not rusty so thats something!

Apologies if this is a dumb question, but what am I best doing once I have rubbed everything down to metal or sound paint?
On the visible bit its obviously got to finish with normal paint, but underneath the paint do I put primer and stonechip, or just primer, or just stone chip? Does stone chip have to go on to metal or primer?
Thanks!
Noel.
IMG_20210305_162557098.jpg
User avatar
Jasonmarie
Donator
Donator
Posts: 4707
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2015 12:30 am
Car(s): Ford Capri 2.0 Laser Mercury Grey 1987 hobby .
Mercedes Vito tourer 2.1 Big Bus Daily Driver
Location: Kent

Re: Underbody clean up - 2021 recommendations

Post by Jasonmarie »

As you say Noel there’s no rust I would rub back to non flacking paint and use a Zink primer , I have had this on test with my garden furniture
What is 10 years old but tried different paints and this has really stood the elements .
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004ZJIMKC/ ... TD5HW6EPZG

Few coats then some 2000 grit sanding just to give the top coat a key , then some clear coat .

But you could go for the bottom with stone chip paint but that’s a big job and spraying the whole bottom with rattle cans and getting a good job will take some good preparation.

Tell the wife no Hoilday this year and the new kitchen is on hold :lol:
Ford Capri 2.0 Laser 1987 Mercury Grey ....... :beer:
User avatar
Noel
Donator
Donator
Posts: 530
Joined: Thu May 19, 2011 7:57 pm
Car(s): Capri 2.8i
Range Rover
M140i
Location: Twickenham

Re: Underbody clean up - 2021 recommendations

Post by Noel »

Good link, will try that, then put Cardinal red over it. Underneath its not that bad, just a few areas where flaked to bare metal so will prime it and then cover it with the Bilt Hamber Dynax UB which is a soft black gunge that never goes hard, that should protect I reckon.

Thanks Jason.
archercockayne
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Jun 15, 2021 8:04 am
Car(s): Ford Capri 1.6 Laser (Weekend warrior / Cruise specialist)

Re: Underbody clean up - 2021 recommendations

Post by archercockayne »

Hi guys,

Interesting read! After studying this thread I have decided to remove the copious layers of hammerite that have been applied to my recent Laser purchase!

My question is - what is the best way to remove said layers of hammerite? Is it a simple scrape of? Or is there a more advanced solution involving thinner & or dilating solutions? :doh:

Cheers,
Archer
Post Reply