Underbody protection

[Migge]

Has anybody some experience with protection of the wings from underneath? I not sure if it is a good idea to use normal underbody coating for GRP. Don't know how it reacts. I think it's just a matter of time if something hits the wings really hard and damages the GRP structure and the paint. Some ideas to solve this problem?

Migge

[Paul B]

Used to be able to get some stuff called Carcraft Rubbercoat but it seems to have disappeared. Most people now seem to use loads of underseal just to try and lessen the impact of stones etc.

Look around because if you can get the Rubbercoat, it is good stuff.

Paul

[paul]

Yep did the same used two thin coats of rubber coat as one heavy one tends to end up on the garage floor.
Paul

[neil still building it]

hi
i tried this original stuff on a mini....whew it PONGS for days....(weeks !!!!!)
park it in an area well ventilated ,or use a couple of layers of stonechip 3M is best..grey or black available ,or overpaint ?
NEIL

[mikey]

Unfortunately there appears to be nothing on the market now that protects from stone impact. Stonechip seems to be favored, but it isnt designed to stop the stone piercing it and causing the damage as it occurs with the shock wave that passes through the fibreglass.

The only solution I found was to get some 2mm rubber sheet and bond it to the underside of the wheel arch. It isnt a cheap solution as it will set you back around £60 to do all four arches. However it is good value when you consider the cost of repair and respraying.

I got my rubber sheet from Grommets - see http://www.grommets.co.uk/extshe.html

Dead easy as you can cut it into squares and apply like the space shuttle tiles. The finish is gret also. You apply using evo-stick or similar contact adhesive and just give the rubber a quick wipe with white spirit before applying. When done you can see immediately that it will do the job and rest in peace.
Mike

[Robin427]

I've got some offcuts of pond liner which should do the trick - try your local garden centre. It's designed to be weatherproof

[Migge]

Thanks so far. What happens if I use Polyurethane or Silicon? Some thoughts?

[mikey]

As an adhesive I dont know, except if you use a contact adhesive it holds it in place immediately instead of having to support it. If you mean as the material, you will have problems in finding an adhesive that will bond to the silicone. With regards Polyurethane its normally stiffer than silicone and rubber I guess and may not lend itself as well to the underside of the arch

I honestly think the rubber sheet is the easiest method- it only took me about 4 hours to do all 4 arches.
Mike

[Migge]

When it's going wet, is it waterresistant or sucks it in?

Evo stick is a glue stick? Never heard about that in Germany. With polyurethane you can glue metal to whatever or fill some body gasps to protect it from water. I used it to glue some inner alu panels of the boot/wheels arches.

[Migge]

Polyurethane is no problem with GRP, thats what another german Cob driver told me a few minutes ago. Mikey, what kind of rubber did you use?
http://www.grommets.co.uk/extshe.html