Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi Guys,

Work on the Series II continues apace. The drivers side suspension has been stripped and is being prepared for painting. However, I have a couple of queries regarding the underside floor panels.

Should I remove all of the existing old underseal and if so, what is the best way of removing it?

Also, should I remove the steering rack to allow cleaning and painting of the front footwells? Is this an easy job to perform?

I think I already know the answer regarding the steering rack, but I really dont want the job to spiral out of control.

Regards

John

Underseal off - hot air gun - and scraper. A horrible job.........

best time of ear to do it it now really with all the heat were having it should just scrape off.

What is the original textured coating used on the Minor's underfloor? There are a couple of persistant patches which have so far resisted the angle grinder. I'm working on the assumption that it's been on there for 54 years so it can't be all bad!

Cheers

John

Hi

Its some form of micaceous bitumen paint very effective when still intact. The mica flakes help bind it together and stop water penetration.

I dont think theres a modern equivalent.

taupe wrote:Hi

Its some form of micaceous bitumen paint very effective when still intact. The mica flakes help bind it together and stop water penetration.

I dont think theres a modern equivalent.

Yes, it is still intact on parts of my traveller- and is much better stuff than the horrid underseal MOT stations daube on after lap welding a patch over a rusty hole! It seems to be overpaintable, unlike underseal.

I guess you could get some bitumen paint and stir in vermiculite, which is a type of mica used for packaging chemicals etc.

The closest overpaintable modern sealer would be anti stonechip paint.

Hope you don't find any nasty surprises underneath, as I did last week!

All the best

95% of the floor is pretty sound, just surface rust and a couple of previously welded patches, which look as though tghey have been in place for quite a time. There are a couple of small holes unfortunately, the worst being a couple of pinholes near the passenger side rear spring hanger

The underseal is only in a couple of places, luckily enough, but the floor "seems" to be pretty sound there (famous last words)

I will paint the floor with a couple of coats of Hammerite straight to rust paint. I really do only intend to use the car on good summer days, as "Gladys Emanuelle" my 1969 4 door is my daily driver, sharing duties with a 1994 VW Polo for when she can't handle heavy loads or dirty work

Cheers

John

I can't believe the fun that can be had removing underseal, why has no-one told me about it before! The most fun you can have with your overalls on

Regards

John

jaguar68 wrote:I can't believe the fun that can be had removing underseal, why has no-one told me about it before! The most fun you can have with your overalls on

Regards

John

In that case sir, your most welcome to do mine

Ah, I fear you didn't catch the (obviously too) subtle hint of irony

Regards

John