Painting underneath

[CJeff7]

I'm thinking of taking a year or so and do a complete frame-off, stock restoration on my '78 CJ7 down to replacing the nuts and bolts. What is the best way to paint the undercarriage of a CJ to make it look factory original? Do you paint it just like the rest of the body or do you undercoat it and paint over that or what? I want the best protection with the factory look. Thanks.

 

[Sasquach]

When I did mine I went to down metal on everything and repainted every piece like is was doing the hood or fender...top to bottom, inside to out same as factory.
If you do go through with it you want to remove all the old seam sealer and puttyed stuff, I found rust starting in some of those places.
After you prime everything you want to reapply seam seal at every joint/overlap/gap that could hold moisture to prevent future rust from stating, I went through about 4 10oz. tubes if memory serves.
Photo is my garage converted to spraybooth via heavy plastic stapled to the ceiling and rolled up between use.

 

[CJKrawler]

When I did mine I went to down metal on everything and repainted every piece like is was doing the hood or fender...top to bottom, inside to out same as factory.
If you do go through with it you want to remove all the old seam sealer and puttyed stuff, I found rust starting in some of those places.
After you prime everything you want to reapply seam seal at every joint/overlap/gap that could hold moisture to prevent future rust from stating, I went through about 4 10oz. tubes if memory serves.
Photo is my garage converted to spraybooth via heavy plastic stapled to the ceiling and rolled up between use.

What did you find the easiest way to get the seam sealer off? Did you do any type of undercoating, or just paint?

 

[Sasquach]

The seam seal I removed with a razor knife at times and in some spots I used a metal scribe that had a 90 on the end and just dug it out.

No under coating, I used PPG epoxy primer-2 coats, then PPG epoxy acrylic urethane 2-3 coats. Pretty nasty stuff and you need to have a resperator on at all times with the stuff.
I went through a 1.5 galons of primer and the same for the top coat.

 

[CJeff7]

Hey Sasquach, thanks for the reply! Your garage looks like mine. And thanks for the information on the seam sealer. I plan on doing that too. Did you paint a clear coat on yours? Also, do you know if you can buy not/bolt kits for a CJ like you can other cars? I plan on replacing as many as I can. Thanks. Oh...one other quick question. I have a set of Renegade decals that I've had for several years. Do you know whether or not those things have a "shelf life?" Will they not stick after awhile?

I have a bunch of original blue Levi (Edition) material, some orange Levi (Edition) tags and a bunch of Levi (Edition) buttons saved away. I also bought an original blue Whitco Levi (Edition) Edition top years ago with doors that is almost like new. The only thing is don't have is the carpet. The carpet in my Jeep is okay, but worn in spots. Sure wish I could find some original but that is next to impossible I would guess.

 

[Sasquach]

I bet you can get some near correct carpet, do a search and see.
My garage is returning back but now I'm thinking about redoing my 3B so here we go again.
I used PPG CLV single stage paint that does not use a clear coat and it came out soo glossy it looks too good for a Jeep.
As for the stickers..what do they look like? rolled edges? backing peeling away? were they stored indoors out of temp. extreems? I'd say if they look good they prob are and the reverse then not.
Can't say on the bolt kit but most all of mine I cleaned up and reused, they are good grade bolts and unless they are in poor cond. why replace?

 

[CJKrawler]

do you know if you can buy not/bolt kits for a CJ like you can other cars? I plan on replacing as many as I can.

I think this is the bolt replacement kit
Stainless Steel Fastener Kit, 620 Pieces 62128 by the Jeep Specialists | Morris 4x4 Center

 

[CJeff7]

Thanks for that information, CJKrawler!

 

[CJKrawler]

no problem. Let me know how that works out for you, I am looking into this kit when i get ready to start on the body.

 

[Smurfette]

Heres another site, has a few more options for hardware kits

Jeep Tubs - Quadratec

 

[Mikedaskter]

I'm thinking of taking a year or so and do a complete frame-off, stock restoration on my '78 CJ7 down to replacing the nuts and bolts. What is the best way to paint the undercarriage of a CJ to make it look factory original? Do you paint it just like the rest of the body or do you undercoat it and paint over that or what? I want the best protection with the factory look. Thanks.

When you look for paint etc, look for something with U.V./ chemical protection added into it, as most urethane paints nowadays rely on clear coat for that protection.

About the seam sealer I dont know if you have access to a good compressor but they make wire brush wheels that will prep your frame by removing the old paint, putting sand scratches in the metal and will even dig out the old seam sealer from the tightest spots.

Good luck with the project!