chassis paint colors

[jdowen2]

I am in the process of cleaning up my Z after a 12 year "nap".

I am planning on pulling the fenders and painting the undersides. I am using black POR-15 on the frame and bottom of the floorpan but am undecided as to what color to paint the inner fenderwells.

Any input would be appreciated.

[2ManyZs]

Since you are using the black POR-15 on the rest of the underside you could use it inside the fender wells to be sure that you won't have to worry about any rust. If you are not concerned with originality go with what you are using, unless the car is going to be black, in which case no one will notice it. Since there are a couple areas there that are prone to rusting the POR-15 would be a good idea.

Many people prefer to paint the inner fenderwells black so that they are not as noticeable, making your wheel and tire combo stand out a little more. Or if you prefer you can paint it body color, it's all a matter of what you want, it's your car and you ultimately have the final decision on how you want it to look when you are finished.

[EScanlon]

What he said. He's stated it perfectly.

My only question is that if you are ALREADY going through the trouble and hazzle of doing POR-15 on the backside of the fenders, frame and other areas why would you skimp on the rest of the metal inside the fenderwell?

I would think, and this is just my thought, that if you can afford it, except for the very most exterior part of the metal, I would literally DIP the whole car in POR-15. And the only reason I wouldn't do the exterior part of the metal, is that I would want to do the nicest, smoothest, most beautiful paint job I could, and POR-15 does say that it is literally rock hard afterwards and hence difficult to use as a base material for nice finishes.

Lastly, if what you are worried about is that someone could look inside your wheel well and say, hey what's this black stuff, you CAN paint POR-15 with your car's color, you just have to time it just right after you apply the POR-15. Check the instructions, as it outlines how to do it.

Myself, I plan on using the POR-15 everywhere underneath the car, and even inside the passenger compartment. Then in the fender wells, I plan on spraying a nice thick coat of Body Shutz. The reasoning is two fold. One, it does provide SOME sound attenuation which is important, and two, it both protects the finish (granted it will be POR15) but it also allows for mud / snow to fall off because they can't stick well. (it also provides some rock chip protection to the POR)

2¢

[jcdozier]

I also agree with 2MANYZS. Since you're already painting exposed undersurfaces with POR-15, why not continue on to the fender wells too? The only rust my 1971 240-Z has ever had has been in the fender-well area. (Just a personal preference, but I think black looks good in the fender well.)

JIM DOZIER

[2ManyZs]

Now I'm sitting here wondering why I don't just paint the whole underside of my 71 with it instead of messing with primer and paint.

Guess I kinda answered my own question that has been nagging me all winter since I can't get anything done in the shop till the weather decides what it is going to do. I think maybe I'll do mine in black and just do the engine compartment from the top of the frame rails up in body color, with a little of the POR-15 under the battery tray that isn't rusted out yet. Black inner fenders would make my Panasports really stand out.

Darn, now I gotta go order more "stuff".:eek:

[ZmeFly]

is to tired to post anything else

[jdowen2]

After reading replies to my first post, I have decided to go with the POR-15 Black on the inner fender wells. I have the right front fender off now and went to town with a wire wheel. Found a lot of accumulated dirt behind the splash shield and on top of the upper fender support. Surprisingly only minor surface rust that came right off. Same holds true for the underside of the fender. I guess I got lucky and won't have a lot of metal repair. (So far)

Thanks for your input.

[2ManyZs]

Great! That's what we are here for, making someone else do the work! Just kidding.

As long as you have it apart now would also be a good time to check out under the cowl panel too. The area under the wiper motor is another place that leaves and dirt like to hide. Clean it out and put the POR-15 in there too. Be sure to check the fender itself in the area behind the wheel where it bolts to the rocker panel. There is a pocket there that likes to hide a lot of crud, just clean it out as best you can with a long screwdriver, and seal it up too.

It's always easier to do as much as possible when you have the car apart rather than having to do it again and finding out you should have done something the first time, and having more of a repair the second time around. If you haven't done it already be sure to look under the battery tray too, POR-15 would work well there too.