I have my body off of the frame and while it is off I plan to paint the underside of the Chevelle. The floor pans are in great shape! NO RUST!!! (that is really hard to find in Buffalo). My question is what would be the preferred paint to use, obviously it won't be seen very much and I need it to be very durable due to exhaush heat, oil leaks, etc. I am hoping to use a gray color.


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R.J.
1972 Chevelle
TC Member #1525
RJ's website (http://www.buffnet.net/~airrj/)
2003 Northern Chevelle Gathering (http://www.angelfire.com/folk/canam/page35.html)

I also have the body off the frame and just painted my underbody first with a product called "rust encapsulator" from Eastwood, then with PPG black enamel mixed with a flattening agent to a 60% gloss. Came out great. Eastwood also sells a chassis black. There is a also a company called Quanta Restorations that sells black enamel in various shades of black depending on what you are painting. The underside was black from the factory for most Chevelles.


Mike

If you want the ultimate in durability, I recommend a product called Rallye Matte Black made by Spies/Hecker. It is easy to mix. No flatteners needed. It is the perfect finish. It is,however,a 2-part catylized product, so breathing protection is required.
Gordon VM
Restoration Motorsports

Thanks Guys. Please forgive my paint ignorance. It was suggested to me by the local paint dealer that I use a single stage Acrylic Urethane (sp?). Does this make sense? I am looking for duribility first and looks second.

Two other details. First you both mentioned Matte Black, I was wanted to use a Medium Grey paint on the underside of the body. Is the Spies/Hecker product available in other colors? And is the product easy enough for a paint novice like myself to shoot? I have some experience but it is painting machine tools with Industrial Epoxy paints. But, I didn't think the bottom of my car needed a perfect paint job. It will be a driver. And I do have access to a supplied air resperiator.

Gordon,

Also, do you have any P/N or other name? I check the Spies/Hecker website and it was less than helpful. Thanks.

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R.J.
1972 Chevelle
TC Member #1525
RJ's website (http://www.buffnet.net/~airrj/)
2003 Northern Chevelle Gathering (http://www.angelfire.com/folk/canam/page35.html)

[This message has been edited by airrj (edited 10-02-2002).]

I also redone the bottom of my 65 chevelle.After a good cleaning I purchased a good auto primer after that was complete I purchased the undercoating that the factory uses and sprayed it on in about 4 complete passes over the undeside after 24hrs dry time I painted the undercoat with the coller I chose.Undercoating protects from weather,road trash,and gives you a deg of noise suppresion.

RJ, the Rallye Matte Black I spoke of is a single stage Urethane. It's real convenient because the flattener is allready added in the proper proportion. It is,however,black. If you want another color, you will have to get the single stage urethane and add flattener for whatever degree of gloss level you want.This will take some experimentation on spray-out panels.
If you are looking for Spies Hecker, try Finishmaster Body Shop supply stores,if they are in your area. If that's not available,e-mail me for more info.
Gordon VM

Thanks again everyone.

Gordon, I have a contact at Keysotne Automotive that sells Spies/Hecker. Thanks for the info. Hopefully I can post some completed photos soon.

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R.J.
1972 Chevelle
TC Member #1525
RJ's website (http://www.buffnet.net/~airrj/)
2003 Northern Chevelle Gathering (http://www.angelfire.com/folk/canam/page35.html)

Gordon,

One more question if I may. My body underside has 95% of the original paint. There are a few areas with light surface rust. These areas I am planing to cover with POR-15 before painting. Should I use a primer on the underside before I paint it with the single stage Urethane? The local paint rep. felt that it wouldn't be nessecary. Any suggestions? Thanks.

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R.J.
1972 Chevelle
TC Member #1525
RJ's website (http://www.buffnet.net/~airrj/)
2003 Northern Chevelle Gathering (http://www.angelfire.com/folk/canam/page35.html)