How should the underside be painted?

[jeryst]

I see a lot of restorations where the underside of the car is painted the same as the body color. But I had several Mopars and none of them had the underneath painted.

So if you are going for accuracy, how should the underneath be treated?

[70_challenger]

How should it be painted?  However you are happy with it.

The factory did not specifically paint the underside.  At the factory, they shot paint at the rocker panel, and some of it oversprayed onto the bottom of the car.  So most cars have paint extending about a foot or so under the car.  (My 2006 Chrysler is the same way!)

Having said that, most of us are building these cars to drive, and want the added protection and good looks of paint under the car.  (I realize this is one glaring inaccuracy in my resto, but I want it to look nice!)

If you are going for accuracy, I would suggest duplicating the factory job by not painting under there.  But I would make sure to have some good protection of the undercarriage (epoxy primer or something...)
 

-Tom

[PlumCrazy]

Similar to this.

[426 pentastar]

It really depends on it being an undercoated car or primed car.I have had three low milage mopars that were primed cars from the factory.The color is either a gray or an off red oxide,you can duplicate this using paint instead of true primer.

[72hemi]

A little off topic but question came up by the photo posted, I did not realize you could get a hemi car with a 8 3/4? Anyone know how many were made? I thought they all had dana's in them.

[426 pentastar]

Hi,I recently sold a 1967 low milage Charger Hemi car that had never been touched and yes it did have a 8/34 under it with 355 gears and everything matched the build sheet.

[Chryco Psycho]

the bodys were dipped in Grey primer so the corrct look is to copy the pic above , I have used epoxy primer to imitate the look , it has the falt finish But will stand up to rust easily
 All Hemi Automatic built cars had the 8 3/4 as std equipment , you had to order the Track Pack option with A32 for 3.5 or A33 for 4.10 gears to get the Dana with an auto 
 the Hemi 4 spd cars had Danas as std equipment

[go-fish]

the bodys were dipped in Grey primer so the corrct look is to copy the pic above , I have used epoxy primer to imitate the look , it has the falt finish But will stand up to rust easily
 All Hemi Automatic built cars had the 8 3/4 as std equipment , you had to order the Track Pack option with A32 for 3.5 or A33 for 4.10 gears to get the Dana with an auto 
 the Hemi 4 spd cars had Danas as std equipment

Very interesting. I never would have guessed that.

[Topcat]

Here's another good example underneath.

[Alaskan_TA]

This shows the factory dip process;

http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/images/dealerships/DealershipDataBook/1972/72_Dodge_Engineering0010.jpg

[e-tek]

Here's another good example underneath.

70 Challnger is right - sure looks better painted - but a galring example none the less...Mine's getting undercoat/chassis black, which is the lame ass lazy way to get around doing either!

[ksierens]

I used SEM Trim Black on mine because I like the way it looks, and because I can touch it up easily.

[1968cuda]

HA HA.  I am just painting mine with 2 coats of gloss black rustoleum.  It's cheap and comes in spray and brush on

[mcgheejt]

This shows the factory dip process;

http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/images/dealerships/DealershipDataBook/1972/72_Dodge_Engineering0010.jpg

I love these documents: "Dodges famous 7-step dip and spray process for maximum protection against all forms of corrosion."     We should all be able to sue for false advertising.