Wheel wells saelant?

[Taranis]

Hi all,
I'm cleaning of 30+ years of dirt from the bottom of my 68 mustang and there seems to be some sort of tar-like substance in the wheel wells. It's not uniform and the original paint (or paint that is the color of the original paint) seems to be on top of this gunk. A wire cup brush barely takes this stuff off and paint remover has any effect. Does anyone know what this stuff is and a better way to get rid of it?

 

[67coupe351w]

I dont know what it is but it sounds to me that some heat and a scraper would be the best option to take the bulk of it off then finish up with your wire cup.

 

[shotsy]

Sounds like undercoating to me, I took mine off with a 3 inch scraper and a hammer it was so brittle it just chiseled off, quite a mess. But a propane torch will soften it and it will scrape right off, be carefull not to set it on FIRE!!

 

[Taranis]

That sounds like a great idea, I'll give it a try tomorrow.

 

[shotsy]

Electric heat gun would probably be safer then the direct flame method, I'd hate for you to burn down your ride and then blame me for recomending fire !!!

 

[Taranis]

I'll do a bit of comparison shopping between propane torch and heat gun...

Don't worry, the car has had all the fluids, the rear springs, gas tank, and rear end removed. It's in such bad condition, setting it on fire might actually improve it.

 

[shotsy]

I'll do a bit of comparison shopping between propane torch and heat gun...

Don't worry, the car has had all the fluids, the rear springs, gas tank, and rear end removed. It's in such bad condition, setting it on fire might actually improve it.

I've felt that way on ocasion myself LOL but the more you fix the better you'll fell about it. I had to quit adding reciepts up it was too depressing!!!

 

[Taranis]

I'm not adding the receipts up yet. My wife is doing a real good job of that on her own.

 

[70vert]

Try the heat gun, it should work.

You never know what kind of chemicals you might release with the propane torch, especially if you set a little part on fire. Heat guns are lower temp, and I've scraped a lot of old lead paint in the home with one (it's safe at around 1000-1100F.) You don't want to end up like this:

 

[e2mustang]

I used some stuff called Heavy Duty SuperStrip by Savogran.. Just be careful to not get it on your skin..