MERCEDES FLOOR PAN REPLACEMENT PART 2. UNDERSEAL REMOVAL METHODS

To find all the spot welds you need to clean off all that old underseal. sometimes it comes off quite easily with hand scrapping. But usually it takes a bit more effort. in this video I'll show you a few methods that I use that make the job a lot easier. Its still a lot of hard work, but i find using a combination of tools and heat it goes along quite fast.

[@glennstocker487]

Never seen a needle gun used for that! great idea seems to work a treat, well done John.

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

Thanks Glenn. It did work pretty well. I also tried a similar tool that had a scraper blade attached. that worked well on the seam sealer after heating. Cheers John.

[@herrowi8941]

Hi John! I did it exactly like you do. Everywhere something different is best. All down to the bare metal, most called my an idiot, which is absolutely correct. At last comes the white "PVC", produces flakes and inflames easily unser heat ... Always wear appropriate safety and Filter equipment when doing this for hours /days. Fire extinguisher next to you. All in all it took me a full month to have the bare metal everywhere. Most of the paint went with paint stripper (industrial style.....). At the beginning I always ice blast the underbody, at least most of the dirt is gone then.....Wish you success (3478 was far better than yours but rests in peace now 😢). Rgds😊

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

I did consider renting an ice blaster. But none available around here. Cheers John 🍻

[@bobfrankish8883]

Hi John. Thanks for the mention, I always wanted to be recognised, shame it took 72 years! You're bang on with the underseal removal. BMW, very similar to MB, absolutely cake that rubberised underseal on. I'm working on currently a1998 BMW 840Ci, I had to remove all the underseal from the rear wheel arch lips to repair the rust. It was 1/2" thick in places, almost impossible to get any tool in to abrade it off. I discovered a great, but dangerous solution, a controlled fire! With garage doors open, fire extinguisher by my side, just set fire to the underseal in sections and let it burn itself out. What you are left with is a black, rock hard substance that either falls off or abrades off easily with small wire brushes. That underseal is a bloody nightmare. It is so thick that the metal underneath is often so compromised that it has rusted right through, but it still looks perfect on top. Also, it clogs up wire wheels and needle scalers for fun. Extreme heat is definitely the way to attack it.

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

Absolutely Bob. I appreciate any input. I'm finding heat then the wire brush is the most effective. You're right sometimes 1/2 inch thick. I did find a few areas that have rusted due to failed seam sealer I think. Now's the time to catch all that. I work on it after work for a few hours. I'll have it done soon. Cheers John.

[@ianferguson9115]

Doing the same work on my 116 - I've found that a sharp gouge chisel will take much of it off weather it was been heated or not. otherwise I've been using a knotted wire wheel on the angle grinder. Nasty Job to say the least but worth while. Best of luck!

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

I have an old chisel, I'll give that a try. I found the dry stuff adding just a little heat helps. Then switching to the wire brush on a drill etc. It is a dirty job. But also satisfying to see the change. Cheers John 🍻

[@michaelsliwinski8044]

Impressive

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

Thank you. Its coming along. Cheers john.

[@2HopesGarage]

Impressed with that needle gun! Less dust as well by the looks of it. My W126 is ok but my 91 Camaro (apologies!😬) wheel arches could do with a wee shot of that! Cracking channel - keep up the good work!

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

Thank you! Glad you're enjoying the channel. This stage is hard work. Especially when its been so warm. 91 Camaro? My ex Wife use to have one of those. My Wife now always regretted selling her 69 Camaro. That was a cool looking Car. Cheers John.

[@alexandrebeinotti3359]

Nice

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

Thank you. Cheers John.

[@markbowden7238]

I just did a Fiat X1/9 underbody, without a rotisserie it wasn't much fun. I used a decorator's hot gun and some chisels and some gouges. I rounded off the corners of the chisels so they didn't dig in. I effectively planed the surface between the original factory etch primer and the original factory underseal, then I washed the residue off with acetone. Never again lol

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

It is a tough job. I'm going down to bare steel just to make sure I don't miss anything. Looking forward to getting it all clean/ repaired and primed. Cheers John 🍻

[@markbowden7238]

@@mercedesmaintenance.6339 it bloody well is a tough job! Btw I recommend the "strip discs" by Vewerk for surface prep post degreasing 👍...keep up the good work 🙂

[@JustAlanJohn]

Chemical dipping most effective method because it can reach areas that physical methods like sandblasting can't, and it doesn't warp the metal.

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

You're right there. But I'm a long way from that service and have a budget to keep too. I try to do as much labor work myself, which saves a ton. Cheers John.

[@petercollingwood522]

Cannot fathom why "the wife" would reject such an invitation. Incomprehensible I say...

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

I know?? Bit lazy if you ask me. LOL!! Don't worry she never checks the comments. I think:) Cheers John.

[@Peter-gi3re]

Hahaha “I asked the wife” …… I am sure she would appreciate you asking 😂 You are doing a great job. Even though it looks like a nightmare at first it looks like it will go pretty quickly. I think you have had to do worse jobs than this already.

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

This kind of work I actually don't mind. Its hard going, but I like to see the progress. I'm use to stripping stuff. Just got through stripping 14 dining chairs by hand so this is a nice break:) Cheers John.

[@Mercmad]

I find the easiest way to remove that bituminous underseal is wash it with petrol . Then once I reach the Mercedes PVC under seal I use a cheap heat gun 🔫 and a 1"chisel which gets it off quickly. I stopped using flame to get rid of it because of the cost .

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

I'll give the heat gun a try. Today I found a combination of heat then the wire wheel worked well. Also heat with the needle gun for seam sealer worked great. Cheers John 🍻

[@christophermarshall5765]

Nice toys… Err… Tools. They both work well. Using a heat gun is safer than using a blow torch. Less risk of fire.

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

Tools Chris:) HAHA. Fire extinguisher is very close by:) I find just a quick blast and the wire brush works great. Cheers John.

[@vmlelectronics]

well, we can say that the coating was at least very effective on it's adherence... 😂

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

O yes, it doesn't come off to easily. Though where it dried out and flaked moisture did get behind it. I have found a couple of areas that will need attention. "So Far":) Cheers John.

[@vmlelectronics]

@@mercedesmaintenance.6339 this is the dirty part of the job... 😂 Regards👍🏻