Undercarriage pictures---- Got Any?

[Todd Smith]

   I'm almost ready to paint the undercarriage of my 70 Challenger. I'm having a hard time deciding on going body color (PC Purple) or not. If I go with body color, carry it up into the fender wells? Go black there? Complete black undercarriage?
Pics of what others have done--- in any color would be really helpful.

Thanks

[burdar]

Do what ever you like best.

For me personally, my tastes changed during the middle of the bodywork process on my car.  If I were to go back and change one thing, it would be to NOT have them paint the entire underside body color.  I really wish I would have had them go the gray primer...body color overspray route.  It's kind of hard to change at this point.

Here are some great pics of Dave Waldens OE gold Challenger.  I could look at these pics for hours...

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/upload2/4502626-Copyof100_2512.JPG

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/upload2/4501928-Dsc05276-1.jpg

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/upload2/4563640-Copyof100_3302.JPG

[mrwfp]

Here are a few of my 1970 'Cuda's underside before it was completed.

[Todd Smith]

  Those are 2 beauties!!!!!!!

Mrwfp, What did you use for the Grey? I like the contrast with the 2 colors alot.

Thanks Guys some real food for thought

[burdar]

What did you use for the Grey?

From the factory it would have just been the dip primer.  A lot of people who go the overspray route use an accual paint that closely matches the color of the dip primer.  I don't know exactly what was used on the white car.  Since it was entered in OE judging, I would assume it's just primer but don't know for sure.

In 1970, E-bodies were built at two different assembly plants.  Hamtramck and LA.  71-74 were all built at Hamtramck.  LA used a very dark dip primer.  The photos above are of a Hamtramck built car.  If you want to go the overspray route AND your car was built at the LA plant, you'll have to find a paint that matches the darker primer.     

[Todd Smith]

From the factory it would have just been the dip primer.  A lot of people who go the overspray route use an accual paint that closely matches the color of the dip primer.  I don't know exactly what was used on the white car.  Since it was entered in OE judging, I would assume it's just primer but don't know for sure.

In 1970, E-bodies were built at two different assembly plants.  Hamtramck and LA.  71-74 were all built at Hamtramck.  LA used a very dark dip primer.  The photos above are of a Hamtramck built car.  If you want to go the overspray route AND your car was built at the LA plant, you'll have to find a paint that matches the darker primer.     

Factory look, specs. are not important to me. A Grey paint is more up my alley. I think, I'd like a little more protection from road grime and water than a primer offers.

What do you think about a single stage paint?  The engine bay is going to get Base coat Clear.

Thanks for the quick reply 

[burdar]

Factory look, specs. are not important to me.

Then I would paint the whole underside body color....or spray the underside with bedliner like the other pictures that were posted.

What do you think about a single stage paint?

There's nothing wrong with a single stage paint.  My car was sprayed with base/clear on the whole thing though. 
 

[mrwfp]

The color is not grey - it's actually black.  It's an undercoat type paint that has a rough texture like undercoating.  It looks really good and better in person.  It offsets and contrasts with the purple on the rails and other undercarriage parts.

[Todd Smith]

The color is not grey - it's actually black.  It's an undercoat type paint that has a rough texture like undercoating.  It looks really good and better in person.  It offsets and contrasts with the purple on the rails and other undercarriage parts.

Very Cool look I was trying to stay away from Black, but now you got me thinking------------- A dangerous thing for me 

  My car was sprayed with base/clear on the whole thing though. 

Makes sense to me now. I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out how you got a dip or primer to look that good.    Must have had a Senior moment. Happens more and more these days  :yikes:



I have a couple weeks to decide what I'm gona do. Maybe a dark Grey BC C and highlight the frame rails with the Purple. Or just solid body color.   
OR MAYBE!!..........................................................LOL

Hopefully some others will post their combos to confuse me further.
It's only people like us that toil over what color/s to paint the underside of the dang car!!!

[FJ5_440]

The underside of my car was done all body color in base-clear and it looks pretty cool, but it is a fair amount of work to keep it clean now that it is actually on its wheels and not upside down on a body stand.  My car is certainly not a show car as I like to drive it alot.   I really hate it when I am am forced to go through gravel because I know I am getting chips and nicks that will eventually need attention.  I would suggest doing it in body color single stage so you can do touch ups a bit easier.
I might even consider a tinted bed liner next time to keep maintenance down.

[rallye73]

We did my car single stage on the uderside and base/clear on the top side.

[Street_Challenged73]

Here's mine:




I'm really liking how MRWFP did his, though.   I may have to do that at least in the wheel wells & transmission tunnel area to keep paint chipping to a minimum.

[ksierens]

I went with SEM trim black because I like the look, and I can touch it up easily.|

[burdar]

The factory undercoated the wheelwells on every car as a sound deadener.  It also protected the car from rocks.  The rock protection is really needed in the front.  A rock can easily dent the top or side of a front fender.  I would suggest everyone spray undercoating in the wheelwells for this reason.   

[rallye73]

The factory undercoated the wheelwells on every car as a sound deadener.  It also protected the car from rocks.  The rock protection is really needed in the front.  A rock can easily dent the top or side of a front fender.  I would suggest everyone spray undercoating in the wheelwells for this reason.   

I've got a can of 3m Body Shutz for just that. We just haven't gotten to that point yet. Thanks for the advice Burdar. I'm sure there are others who may not have thought of that. Such a great site for swapping info.