I took the time tonight to take a look at the rear fender wells. They are in great shape. However, there is about 30+ years of crud up in there.

How can I clean them most effectively. I don't mind repainting them and have already tried a go with super clean (limited results) and a steel and plastic brush (removed some layers.

Any helpful hints out there? Besided spending 75 bucks on a preassure washer?

Thanks,

Warren

Two words: Heat gun.

This will get out ALL the garbage in the wheel wells, no question. Get a flexible steel putty knife, some plastic to cover the floor or driveway, and have at it. I just did mine and it took 5 hours total, but everything is out.

------------------
Dan Orgill
Tc #466

[This message has been edited by 4spdrat (edited 09-06-2001).]

I did all four of mine over a week of evenings, using "brake parts cleaner" a small putty knife, a wire brush, and a 3M paint stripping wheel, from the home improvement store. (on a drill)
Make sure you are in a well ventalated area, as the fumes are nasty.
(I dont have a heat gun yet, but may try that for the floor)

------------------
They say I'm crazy, but I have a good time.
68 SS-396/68 Corvette/68 Mustang

if you can't get a heat gun a propane torch works just as well... Mine have been removed for replacement, and I had too get the undercoating tire rubber off too get too the spot welds.. It's a messy smelly job.. So have FUN http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I took an old screwdriver that had a broken tip and welded a piece of 12 Ga. sheet steel onto it. Went to the grinding wheel and ground the basic contour of the wheel well on the edge. Scraped the undercoating, dirt, paint, and whatever else was in there out. Every so often I would regrind the edge to fit the area I was working on. Used 3M pad soaked in chemical stripper to clean it spotless after scraping. This worked great and took about 3 hours not including refinishing. Messy work.

After 30 + years whatever is under there is probably brittle and will scrape easily. Mine did.

Have fun!

A butane torch does the job great. Just warm it up and it comes right off w/scraper. And if your not worried about the in side, if your redoing those to, heat it untill in dries out and use a wire brush, comes off clean. No chemicals.