Underbody Protection Repairs

Underbody Protection Repairs

When body repairs are carried out, always ensure that full sealing and corrosion protection treatments are restored. This applies both to the damaged area, and also to areas where protection has been indirectly impaired as a result of accident damage or repair operations.

Prior to straightening out or panel beating, remove all corrosion protection material in the damaged area. This applies in particular to panels coated with wax, PVC underbody sealer, sound deadening pads etc.

WARNING: DO NOT use oxy-acetylene gas equipment to remove corrosion prevention materials. Large amounts of fumes and gases are liberated by these materials when they burn.

Equipment for the removal of tough anti-corrosion sealers offers varying degrees of speed and effectiveness. The compressed air-operated scraper (NOT an air chisel) offers a relatively quiet mechanical Underbody Wax method of removal using an extremely rapid After refitting mechanical components, including reciprocating action. During use, direct the operating hoses, pipes and small fixtures, mask off the brake end of the tool along the work surface. discs and apply a coat of approved underbody wax.

The most common method is by the use of a hot air blower with integral scraper.

CAUTION: High temperatures can be operations must be carried out BEFORE wax generated with this equipment which may application. cause fumes. Always exercise care in its use. Underbonnet Wax

Where repairs have involved replacement of engine Another tool, and one of the most efficient methods, is bay panels, treat the entire engine compartment the rapid-cutting ’hot knife’. This tool uses a wide including all components, clips and small fixtures with blade and is quick and versatile, able to be used an approved underbonnet lacquer or wax. easily in profiled sections where access is otherwise awkward. Proprietary Anti-Corrosion Treatments The application of proprietary anti-corrosion Use the following procedure when repairing treatments in addition to the factory-applied treatment underbody coatings: could invalidate the Corrosion Warranty and should be discouraged. This does not apply to approved,

1. Remove existing underbody coatings. compatible, preservative waxes which may be applied on top of existing coatings.
2. After panel repair, clean the affected area with a solvent wipe, and treat bare metal with an etch phosphate material.
3. Re-prime the affected area. DO NOT under any circumstances apply underbody sealer directly to bare metal surfaces.
4. Replace all heat-fusible plugs which have been disturbed. Use rubber grommets of equivalent size if plugs are not available, but ensure that they are embedded in sealer.
5. Mask off all mounting faces from which mechanical components, hoses and pipe clips, have been removed. Underbody sealer must be applied before such components are refitted.
6. Brush sealer into all exposed seams.
7. Spray the affected area with an approved service underbody sealer.
8. Remove masking from component mounting faces, and touch-in where necessary. Allow adequate drying time before applying underbody wax.

• NOTE: Where repairs include the
• application of finish paint coats in the
• areas requiring underbody wax, paint