undercoating the body

[chopthebass]

I remember seeing one of you guys flip his body upside down and brushed on truck bed coating. I'm thinking of doing the same, but wondered if the raw fibreglass needs any prep? I'd like to hear from anyone who has completely coated the non-gel coat areas of the body.

[Ray]

I remember seeing one of you guys flip his body upside down and brushed on truck bed coating. I'm thinking of doing the same, but wondered if the raw fibreglass needs any prep? I'd like to hear from anyone who has completely coated the non-gel coat areas of the body.

Yep used this: http://www.herculiner.com Taped off the edges of the body where I knew we'd be smoothing the 'glass and rolled 4-coats in the wheel wells and 2-coats over the rest of the body. As to prep, I think I just wiped the 'glass down with a grease remover after blowing everything off with an air-gun.508645086550866

Ray

[edwardb]

Agreed, no special prep required. I do take the time to very roughly block sand the underside with 60 or 80 grit paper and vacuum it out with a shop vac. Just to knock of the big bumps, loose fiberglass strands, etc. Makes the final job a little cleaner. Just use a block and not the paper in your hand. Fiberglass splinters hurt. And yes, that's an ask my how I know statement.

Also make sure to do it upside down. I tried adding some in the wheels wells of a completed build. What a mess that was. It's messy enough when doing upside down.

[dallas_]

I did not prep the underside at all and it's held up fine with hard use.

50867

[NukeMMC]

The shop that painted mine also does 4x4s. They shot the underside with bedliner before doing the exterior at a VERY reasonable adder.

[chopthebass]

thanks guys. Is it safe turning body over with the usual brace in place on top of body? I imagine the whole thing flexing like crazy!

[edwardb]

thanks guys. Is it safe turning body over with the usual brace in place on top of body? I imagine the whole thing flexing like crazy!

Mk4, right? With the wrap around sills under the doors, right? It's really not a problem. Having another person to help is good, but just gently roll it up on its side and back down over on the top. It flexes some, but maybe not as much as you think if properly supported.

[chopthebass]

Thanks Ed. Yes its the Mk4.

[CraigS]

You usually have a wood spreader between the dash and the rear cockpit so when you pick it up the cockpit doesn't close up on you. Be aware, as it gets past 90 degrees in your roll it may have a tendency to open up. If it were me, I would have the wood in there and then a ratchet strap around the hood and trunk openings to keep it from spreading.

[oldguy668]

I second Craig's advice. Put you 2x4 spreader in with a couple of stop blocks screwed to it then wrap it with a ratchet strap. You can then roll the body over like a bale of hay with no worries at all.

[edwardb]

You guys are talking about a Mk4, right? With a Mk3 or earlier, I agree. Somehow figure out how to keep that spreader in there because it flexes a bunch at the door sills any time you are handling it off the chassis. I built one and know first hand. Be careful for sure, but the Mk4 with the wrapped sills is much stiffer. I do absolutely recommend using the spreader when taking the body on and off though. Or have enough people that you're not flexing it too much.

[chopthebass]

Ok I will keep the wood spreader in place so it doesn't drop out when rolling. Thanks

[cgundermann]

As a color option, you can get Herculiner in gray also...love the stuff...