What was original undercoating on 1964 356C?

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Steven Hardin
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What was original undercoating on 1964 356C?

#1 Post by Steven Hardin »

Purchased a very original 1964 356C european model brought back new to US by a service member. Car has had 3 prior California/Arizona owners. I purchased earlier this month. Car has basically sat since 1987. All chrome was removed (need to reinstall), paint stripped, repainted base/ clear and has sat in owners garage. In 2008 was car serviced but after driving about 20 miles car sat again till my purchase. NO rust and paint is great. Fuel system has been flushed and as of today is running. Brake system is next on my list.
Interested in what is best option for originality regarding how to handle undercoating. It is intact except about 5 spots is has come away. It is quite thick, is this factory applied? I want to proceed in the best way. Remove or repair?
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Re: What was original undercoating on 1964 356C?

#2 Post by Michael Branning »

Steve, can you share a photo of the undercoating and any of those areas?
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Martin Benade
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Re: What was original undercoating on 1964 356C?

#3 Post by Martin Benade »

Nice looking car, very straight too!
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Re: What was original undercoating on 1964 356C?

#4 Post by Steven Hardin »

I freshened up the undercoating on the left longitudinal.
Thanks for responding. I am new to the registry and just starting to navigate the site.
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Re: What was original undercoating on 1964 356C?

#5 Post by Steven Hardin »

Two of the locations in floor area. The largest is at the fuel over flow tube location.
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Re: What was original undercoating on 1964 356C?

#6 Post by Michael Branning »

Clearly the undercoating is very old. I'm not qualified to make a call on original or not, but regardless... anyplace it's loose at minimum I'd remove, because it will trap water, then renew it.

If you search the forum you'll find all kinds of posts that should provide tips. Here is a recent one that should help viewtopic.php?p=412836&hilit=undercoating#p412836
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Martin Benade
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Re: What was original undercoating on 1964 356C?

#7 Post by Martin Benade »

If most of it is excellent and well adhered, you can chip out any that’s loose and carefully butter up the gaps with roofing cement, available in gallon cans. It’s quite durable and somewhat similar to the original coating. At 1/4” thick it takes a couple of weeks to dry although it would be drivable immediately.
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Emil Wojcik
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Re: What was original undercoating on 1964 356C?

#8 Post by Emil Wojcik »

I undercoated my MGB with roofing cement back in the late '80s. Other than now being dirty from use, it's held up perfectly. But I remember the car smelled of tar for a month before it finally dried.
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Re: What was original undercoating on 1964 356C?

#9 Post by Peter Bartelli »

I can see a rubber plug covering hole drilled into the undercarriage. I believe its the old "ZBart" treatment against rusting. If you see one plug, there will be plenty more. Given this car has had that treatment, I would surmise the undercoat looks thick because it received a second/third coat. As others advised, remove the loose stuff, seal the edges, apply a sealer paint like Rust-oleum on the bare areas, then reapply Wurth or 3M rubberized undercoat (spray cans available).

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Re: What was original undercoating on 1964 356C?

#10 Post by Steven Hardin »

No plugs. Car was purchased in Germany and brought back to San Diego. I have never seen before thought perhaps it was done at the factory

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Re: What was original undercoating on 1964 356C?

#11 Post by Martin Benade »

I think that small nylon plugs are factory on the rails behind the front torsion tube, although I could be imagining I’ve seen those before.
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Re: What was original undercoating on 1964 356C?

#12 Post by Vic Skirmants »

Peter; I think you are seeing the drain hole in the front frame strut; it's a Karmann thing.
Martin; small plugs in the rear rails, also I think, only on Karmann.

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Re: What was original undercoating on 1964 356C?

#13 Post by Martin Benade »

It’s hard to remember after 30 years but I think my Reutter had those front and rear before I replaced the steel.
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Re: What was original undercoating on 1964 356C?

#14 Post by Doug McDonnell »

Welcome Steven Here is a very good undercoating discussion: viewtopic.php?t=27883&hilit=undercoating And in the Technical section under the "Body Shell Complete" drop down menu there is a good article written by Paul Hatfield on restoring original 356 floors.
1965 356C 2000 BMW 740i Sport 1967 Honda CL77 There is never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over.

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Re: What was original undercoating on 1964 356C?

#15 Post by Steven Hardin »

Thanks Doug for the link, very helpful and informative.

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