Blacking under the wheel-arches.

[jigs]

I want to tidy up under the wheel-arches, preferably leaving a totally smooth gloss black finish which will be easy to clean and resist stone chips.

Any ideas? What are best products to use?

[TUS 373]

I used black paint on underseal from Waxoyl. Wire brushed flaky paint and dirt off first, then painted on a coat of this underseal gunk. A bit like waxoyl, it never sets hard but remains flexible. Saying that, it remains remarkably clean and does not pick up stones etc.

(You know my liking for things to be clean!).

[K1 CERB]

I did similar a few weeks ago on my rear arches. I haven't driven it since, so can not comment on how long it lasts.

K1 CERB

[jigs]

Thanks for the replies - you're both suggesting black underseal which I have used particularly on metal cars in the past. Great job but tends to get dirty quite quickly as it stays tacky.

As TVRs are GF and therefore don't need an anti-rust coating I was hoping to use something that would stay black and be easy to clean. Something like a gloss black 'teflon' coating that would resist stone chips and keep a glossy black appearance.

Many shiny cars with nicely prepared alloys and tyres are let down by dirty discoloured wheel-arches showing through around the tyres.

I have never owned a brand new TVR but I believe that the wheel-arches and underfloor areas are finished in gloss black-pigmented GF. How does one keep this appearance or restore that finish. Is it as straight forward as preparing and painting the underside in the same way as the paintwork but using tougher gloss black two-pack paint?

Any ideas?

[wixer]

Try POR 15 from Frosts Restorations. They do it in gloss black and it is well suited to GRP. Do a search on POR FAQ's and you should find a very informative web page on the paint. I've used both the black and silver on my chassis and suspension. It's seems to be very resilliant to the battering of road debris.

[bigtone]

I used some stuff thats almost like paint on rubber from homebase for the arches on the M. It can pick up dust, but doesn't stay too tacky so cleans up ok, and because its a couple of mm thick it bounces the stones off, and won't get damaged unless something really hefty hits it. Has the advantage of being completely water proof too - think its used for roofing or something - i'll see if I can remember the name...

[Incorrigible]

Have you got access to a compressor ? Underbody Schutz (I think that's the right spelling) is available in a smooth or textured finish and a variety of colours. Remains slightly flexible and unlike waxoyl can be overpainted if required

Get it from you local car body shop suplier

[ktg1000]

Hi Jiggs, Did my Chim about six weeks ago. Took fifteen hours from start to finish and used the Waxoyl 'Stone Chip' tar stuff in a can. Literally painted on with a brush being very careful where the body colour starts around the rim of the arches. It has picked the dirt back up though and looks 'dirty' BUT ever so well protected. Also did the front valance under the air intake and the rear quarters where the exhausts go. Well worth it but hard work.

[simpo two]

Protection isn't an issue as it's GRP. I'd probably go for smooth black Hammerite.

[RichB]

Jigs, I think Waxoyle or Hammerite make something which is described as being protection for sills. Halfords sell it and I think it is black, it must dry fully because you can spray body colour over the top if you want. Personally I used underseal type stuff and it seems ok? Rich...

[jigs]

Thanks for the replies. My ideal is a shiny black wipe/hose clean surface - I'll let you know if I find it. I'll have a closer look at all your suggestions.

[sidpinup]

Halfwits used to do a product called stone chip protect and it was very black and very very hard. I used it on my MG and in never chipped once. I dont know if you can still get it but let me know how you get on cus mine are a real mess.

[K1 CERB]

I checked today - the 'stuff'I used was 'Finnigans' based on Waxoyl. It seems to set hard, so it might be the answer!

K1 CERB