subie_andy33
RMS Regular
- Messages
- 149
- Drives
- ImprezaSTI
Sorry if this is in the wrong forum section but it seemed the most appropriate.
I know there are a few already offering professional undersealing services about here and I know a lot of independent garages will slap on some waxoyl at fairly low cost, but Im wondering whether people think theres any desire for professional undersealing in the south down area?
Ive now done three cars (my own) trying slightly different products and techniques each time and Ive discovered that I quite enjoy it.
For all three I started with getting them steam cleaned on a local steam cleaning ramp. Then get them on a lift and use wire brushes and compressed air to get rid of flaky surface rust and dirt. Depending on how far I intended to take the job id either disassemble the main suspension components, removing shocks, springs and roll bars or Ill leave it all intact.
Regardless of the underseal product I use ill coat all surface rust with jenolite rust converter. I've found it is excellent for the money. Chemically bonds to rust and creates an epoxy barrier over the top that can be overcoated.
If im using dinitrol Ill coat the worst areas with clear wax (Dinitrol 1000) and do the inside of cavities and sills, or I can use waxoyl in cavities to reduce cost. Ill then overcoat with at least two layers of 4941 paying most attention to inner arches and outside of sills (I remove bumper and skirts if needed).
If using waxoyl Ill usually thin it slightly with old motor oil and pump it into sills before coating the underside entirely, usually two coats or more. I try to avoid coating the suspension due to making it a mess for working on but it all depends on the car and extent of any rust.
If I have removed springs and rollbars I can make use of a local powder coating service however I also have the ability to spray 2k paint with proper gun setup, so can offer to paint certain components (though I find springs are better powder coated).
I don't have any real desire to compete with the well established guys and don't intend to do the full underbody restorations offered elsewhere, more of an in between from a waxoyl paintjob and a full restoration. Something more suited to someone who values their motor and wants to keep it good but isn't concerned about a show-worthy underside.
Id imagine ill be charging anywhere from £150 to £1k depending on extent of the work, time taken and products used but really id have to figure out fair pricing after doing a few jobs to get me started. Id imagine (as im working full time) that Id need 1 - 2 weeks depending on the job.
I'm no expert if i'm honest but the work i've done has proven to work as intended over multiple years on my cars. Obviously they require a check up every now and again and over time may even need overcoated again but its certainly a job worth every penny as far as i'm concerned.
So anyway - is it something worth offering? Perfectly prepared for brutally honest opinions!
I don't have much in the way of pics, so here's one of my subaru and another of my celica from a few years back to give an idea of what I can do (sorry for poor quality, having issues getting them from my phone). Both done with 4941 dinitrol (1000 in cavities) and certain components painted and/or powdercoated.
I know there are a few already offering professional undersealing services about here and I know a lot of independent garages will slap on some waxoyl at fairly low cost, but Im wondering whether people think theres any desire for professional undersealing in the south down area?
Ive now done three cars (my own) trying slightly different products and techniques each time and Ive discovered that I quite enjoy it.
For all three I started with getting them steam cleaned on a local steam cleaning ramp. Then get them on a lift and use wire brushes and compressed air to get rid of flaky surface rust and dirt. Depending on how far I intended to take the job id either disassemble the main suspension components, removing shocks, springs and roll bars or Ill leave it all intact.
Regardless of the underseal product I use ill coat all surface rust with jenolite rust converter. I've found it is excellent for the money. Chemically bonds to rust and creates an epoxy barrier over the top that can be overcoated.
If im using dinitrol Ill coat the worst areas with clear wax (Dinitrol 1000) and do the inside of cavities and sills, or I can use waxoyl in cavities to reduce cost. Ill then overcoat with at least two layers of 4941 paying most attention to inner arches and outside of sills (I remove bumper and skirts if needed).
If using waxoyl Ill usually thin it slightly with old motor oil and pump it into sills before coating the underside entirely, usually two coats or more. I try to avoid coating the suspension due to making it a mess for working on but it all depends on the car and extent of any rust.
If I have removed springs and rollbars I can make use of a local powder coating service however I also have the ability to spray 2k paint with proper gun setup, so can offer to paint certain components (though I find springs are better powder coated).
I don't have any real desire to compete with the well established guys and don't intend to do the full underbody restorations offered elsewhere, more of an in between from a waxoyl paintjob and a full restoration. Something more suited to someone who values their motor and wants to keep it good but isn't concerned about a show-worthy underside.
Id imagine ill be charging anywhere from £150 to £1k depending on extent of the work, time taken and products used but really id have to figure out fair pricing after doing a few jobs to get me started. Id imagine (as im working full time) that Id need 1 - 2 weeks depending on the job.
I'm no expert if i'm honest but the work i've done has proven to work as intended over multiple years on my cars. Obviously they require a check up every now and again and over time may even need overcoated again but its certainly a job worth every penny as far as i'm concerned.
So anyway - is it something worth offering? Perfectly prepared for brutally honest opinions!
I don't have much in the way of pics, so here's one of my subaru and another of my celica from a few years back to give an idea of what I can do (sorry for poor quality, having issues getting them from my phone). Both done with 4941 dinitrol (1000 in cavities) and certain components painted and/or powdercoated.
