Date:         Mon, 1 Oct 2007 14:22:05 -0700
Reply-To:     William Wedenoja <w.wedenoja@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         William Wedenoja <w.wedenoja@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      undercoating body work
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I recently had some body work done to address seam rust, vertical behind the driver's door and horizontal on the rocker seam.  Pulled the stove, frig, tank, cabinets etc out first.  A body shop cut out the old rocker panel and installed a new one and repainted the left side.  Looks great. 

They also sprayed rubberized undercoating on the inside of the rocker panel, seam down to floor, apparently on the assumption that the rust was due to a leaky water line or water penetrating worn utility gaskets.  I told the person who did the work that I was thinking about spraying the inside of the whole panel with sound deadening before installing new insulation.  He said to just use undercoating.  Which I did this weekend.  It sounded like a good idea - deadens sound, waterproofs, prevents rust...

But after applying, I noticed the fine print: AVOID APPLICATION...CLOSER THAN 12 INCHES TO ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM.  EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE.  DO NOT SPRAY INTERIOR OF AUTO, INCLUDING TRUNK.  VAPOR HARMFUL.

So now I am regretting this.  Wish I had gone with the acoustic paint instead.  Is the undercoating a hazard in terms of flammability or vapors now that it is on and drying, and will be covered up with insulation and cabinets?  If so, what should I do to rectify the situation?  Paint over it?  Have the shop sand it off?

The product is SNAP Undercoating Rubberized and no longer sold.  Contains Kaolin, Toluene, Naptha, and propane.

PS:  Any suggestions on new insulation?  I was looking at Reflectix (sp?)

Bill
1988 Westy