C3 Rear wheel well question

[Brandon Metzger]

I have a '72. I am in the middle of a body off restoration. I am looking at the rear wheel wells. First, are these left natural or blacked out?

Second, I have noticed what I thought wast tar or asfault buildup in the well on the the exterior of the storeage bins up to and over the seatbelt mount. I removed this stuff on the left side and then realized I should have looked at the right side.....sure enough it is over there too nearly the same as on the left. I also looked at another C3 and saw something similar. So my question is is this a general coating and if so what is its purposs? And lastly, since I removed one side, where can I buy this stuff to reapply it?

Regards,
Brandon

[Patrick Hulst (16386)]

Re: C3 Rear wheel well question

Brandon,

1. The thick stuff is the undercoating as applied at St. Louis. Generally, spray can undercoating can be used, but if you have access to a better professional sprayer you can more accurately duplicate the results.

2. Yes, the wheelwells are blacked out. Often, the front lower portion is not hit well, especially below the frame access plate. Also, it is usually applied to the inner portion, not so much the outer. The vast majority of wheelwells I see on restored cars are overpainted. If you send me an e-mail, I think I have pics of my 72's wheelwells I can send you.

Patrick

[Brandon Metzger]

Re: C3 Rear wheel well question

Patrick,
Thank you much. I would love to see the picks. I thought that this was some type of undercoating. I also see that the back "filler" pannel in the wheelwell does not look painted in mine either.

I do have a professional sprayer. Any suggestions on places to buy the undercoating and perhaps a good quality paint for the black out. I figure I will hit the firewall, wiperwell and the wheelwells while I am at it. I don't think the front wheelwells are blacked out....or are they?

Thanks again,
Brandon