Date:         Wed, 7 Mar 2001 12:41:54 -0500
Reply-To:     Derek Drew <derekdrew@RCN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Derek Drew <derekdrew@RCN.COM>
Subject:      Re: Undercoating/rustproofing recommendations ?
In-Reply-To:  <B6CBD9CB.4D04%kdavis@qsilver.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

If you are going to undercoat an old vehicle like this you will need to
have it cleaned up under there first--sandblasted or whatever.

Wurth and/or Waxoyl makes the best undercoating.

Don't use "rubberized" undercoatings because when they get a few years old
they get brittle and crack and the moisture gets trapped under them and
they are worse than not having undercoating at all.

For inner panels use inner panel formula.

Wax based goop formulations are best.

Worst rust place on the Westfalia is behind the fridge: everybody who has
not yet removed the refrigerator and removed the insulation along the floor
all along back there has a real problem I am afraid. It is only a matter of
time until the side of the vehicle bursts open at that side.

No professional will do this job with as much care as you would. This cuts
both ways, as if you do it it will become a Federal Case and take a lot of
your time and energies. But it is real easy to go under there with a spray
can and you can get the job done for $50 of FLAPS cans instead of $200 at
the rustproofing place.

I never believed in "rust converters" much but once bought Rust Mort from
jcwhitless and I must confess it was stunningly effective and stopped and
converted a bast rust area on a 72 bus I had for years of Vermont salt
winters. In other words, it really worked great.

Thin coats are better than thick coats when it comes to rustproofing. Avoid
formulations promoted primarily as "sound deadeners" as that is not your
primary purpose.

Your plan to have it rustproofed in Denver sounds doubtful to me unless you
can arrange to treat or or remove the rust that is under there first.
Otherwise they will just spray the rustproofing over the rusty metal out of
laziness.

At 12:27 PM 3/7/01 -0500, you wrote:
>It looks as if I'm about to buy a Syncro Westy from Colorado. I'll be moving
>it back to the East Coast - mid-coast Maine, where they use lots and lots of
>salt on the roads in the winter. I'd like to get the vehicle undercoated in
>Denver  - or someplace else on the road back. Does anyone have any advice on
>this subject? like things to look out for or do in preparation, etc.? Most
>importantly, can anyone suggest a reliable place to get this work done not
>too expensively along either interstates 76 - 80 between Denver and Chicago
>or interstate 70 between Denver and Columbus, OH? Phone numbers and full
>contact info would be appreciated.
>
>Thanks for your help.
>
>Kevin

_______________________________________________
Derek Drew                                            New York, NY
CEO & Co-Founder
http://www.ConsumerSearch.com/
===========================
"Best Expert Review Site"
for product reviews on the Internet
Jan. 2001, PC World Magazine
==========================
80 South Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10038
derekdrew@rcn.com
212-580-6486

Alternate numbers for the industrious phone caller that wants to try every
avenue: 917-848-6425 (cell); 202-966-7907 (Work), 212-580-4459 (Home),
202-966-0938 (Home), 978-359-8533 (fax [efax]), 212-269-3188 (Seaport office).