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Undercoating

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Rambleau View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rambleau Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Undercoating
    Posted: Jun/08/2018 at 8:39am
Hi. I have a 64 Ambassador that’s in really good shape and rust free. My question is, should I do a very light undercoating to the underside of this car or is that considered a no-no in the antique car circles?

I won’t be driving in the snow or anything crazy, but can’t guarantee I’ll never get caught in the rain. Just want to try and keep this nice underside looking that way for a long time.

I’ve used a Krown undercoat up here in Canada, which is a very light water displacing undercoat system, which is what I would use in this case if you feel it’s alright to do so.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gtoman_us Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jun/08/2018 at 4:07pm
Should have some factory undercoating already.   If you intentions are to use It as a fair weather vehicle I would not bother.
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Used to collect trophies, now I collect gas receipts and put on miles

1964 Rambler Ambassador Cross Country Wagon
1965 GTO
1931 Model A original survivor
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Trader Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jun/09/2018 at 5:58am
If in the rust belt I'd have the oiling done but have them do it without drilling holes. It costs a little more but they have wands and such that can get the doors, nooks and crannies.
Moisture will penetrate to all seams over time, especially with temperature and humidity extremes.
The oil can be washed off the exterior for shows and underneath it will look like wet metal or collect a little road dust.
I don't know how fussy judges would be on this, but a judge for this sort of thing should appreciate effort for preservation over pure aesthetics, my opinion. But you never know.
Maybe there is one that is on the Forum that would render some insights on does and don'ts?  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 990V8 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jun/09/2018 at 4:48pm
Unless it's a trailer queen, I would favour waxing it. Not much use having an original car that's rusted.

Getting mine done here is on the list.
http://www.rust.co.uk/epoxy-mastic-em121-rust-proofing-price-list/p513013
£1,500* / $2,000 for rustproofing may seem like a lot, but that wouldn't buy much in the way of rust repair.

Ivor

* including sales tax
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote farna Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jun/11/2018 at 6:28am
You could get it undercoated by the factory or dealer back in the day, so a light undercoating wouldn't be out of the ordinary. Only the most demanding judges even look much under the car. If it's being judged at a big event concours style where they put it up on a rack for inspection I'd say no, but if just for a typical AMC show (even the big AMO shows where judges are a bit more knowledgeable) I wouldn't worry about it. Not planning on taking it to the Mopar Nationals and competeing for Best of Show are you? For that everything has to be absolutely perfect... An AMC has won it before, a perfectly restored Javelin... 1999...
Frank Swygert
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rambleau Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jun/11/2018 at 9:04pm
Thanks for the info. I won’t be going to the nationals lol, I don’t even know if I’d go to a local show. It’s not that nice of car, just a good clean body and I’d like to keep it that way.

Here’s a picture of late last fall when I got it. I’ve now changed the wheels to factory. It needs a good clay bar and wax....and possibly undercoating.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote farna Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jun/12/2018 at 6:24am
It would still likely get an award at an AMO show. They base awards on points, not comparison with other cars. So take it to an AMO show to be judged (you do have to be a member...). You can request a copy of the judging sheet a few days after the show. You can see how many points were deducted for certain things and improve them for subsequent shows. It's a good looking car. There are stock and non-stock categories. With the non-stock wheels (stock wheel covers will fit on those steel wheels though) and a few other mods you might want to go non-stock. Since you're not competing against other cars you could still get a bronze (bronze/silver/gold) in the Junior division. Everyone starts in Junior, then go to Senior, and finally American Cup. More points are needed to get an award in each. Once you attain a certain number of points or get a Gold in the division you're in you move up to the next division.

Even if you don't register for judging your car is certainly good enough to display! Let people see what a Rambler is at the local shows too. A car doesn't have to be perfect to show off. Often the less than perfect cars get as much or more attention than the obvious show cars and garage/trailer queens.
Frank Swygert
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote vinny Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jun/12/2018 at 6:52am
When my daughter bought a new car in Ontario they said that if there was only one thing she should do it would be the undercoating. She's still driving it after 8 years and for sure the undercoating has helped preserve the car.

Mine has some rust I plan on getting to after all the years on Vancouver streets but on the sound areas I have brushed on a mixture of used engine oil and Tremclad (Rustoleum).
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rambleau Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jun/13/2018 at 12:49pm
I drive a 97 4runner and it has been undercoated every year and it's still rust free. The stuff does work, I swear by it. I just wasn't sure about a collector vehicle. 

Thanks for the replies. I got the stock wheels on it last week and it looks a lot better. Those rims were 15's so the wheel cover wouldn't fit. 

I'll take a picture and post it when I get one. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rambleau Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jun/20/2018 at 7:51pm
I got the original wheels and covers on it now. Pretty sure everything else is stock but I’ll have to take a closer look. Just have to polish it up now.

Took way too many woodworking classes in high school. Should have picked up at least one auto mechanic course instead.
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