Paint or underseal in wheel wells ... or both?

[zambo]

I’m sure this has been covered of elsewhere because I’m pretty certain I’ve come across it some time back.

 

If I recall correctly, the body colour was typically used though some often put additional material on, often in the form of the black spray-on underbody seal.

 

I think this is what they might have done with mine. It seems to have done its job as it’s clean-as under there - grime aside.

 

 

 

I thought I’d just wire brush that off and then hit it up with some colour matched epoxy. What have others done?

 

I’m going the epoxy route based on an Esty suggestion in another thread. I think a hard paint that’s a close-as match in that exposed location will be the go.

[esty]

it's a personal preference issue...i like the darker color in the wheel wells, regardless of paint color because it tends to hide the suspension behind the wheels, making the wheel and car body the attraction rather than the colored wheel well

[AceAndrew]

I'm on the fence. I like the black-painted wheel wells, but the colored wells look great as well.

 

Another option is tinting the schutz with bodycolor... here's an example 

https://www.bmw2002faq.com/forums/topic/116731-m20-triple-weber-build-x2/?&page=12#comments

 

[SydneyTii]

Depending where you live, you may want to make sure that as long as it’s sound and no rust underneath, that you coat it with something like Bilt Hamber, it’s a very dark high performance anti corrosion wax for car underbodies. Really good product, highly tested and well regarded.

i live close to the ocean and it’s working on my car, just a thought.

 

[zambo]

Depending where you live, you may want to make sure that as long as it’s sound and no rust underneath, that you coat it with something like Bilt Hamber, it’s a very dark high performance anti corrosion wax for car underbodies. Really good product, highly tested and well regarded.
i live close to the ocean and it’s working on my car, just a thought.
 

Thanks SydneyTii. I live in Brisbane so not as salty as being right next to the sea.

I see Bilt Hamber also make a cavity product. Is it something like Tectyl I wonder?

[SydneyTii]

I have used both the cavity and UB, it is very easy to apply and stays on.

I coated some steel 2 years ago and it’s been out in all weathers, hasn’t changed at all.

i believe it’s far superior to Tectyl, PPC Sell it, they are in warriewood, Sydney.

[BarneyT]

Wheel wells should be body color...

[Mike Self]

Barney is correct.  If you 're going for an authentic from-the-factory restoration or refurbishment, the wheel wells were painted body color over the schutz that was liberally applied to the car's nethermost regions.  The body color, however, didn't extend to the underside of the car except as overspray.  The floor underside was mostly primer grey with some schutz, but not to the extent of the wheel wells.

 

mike

[BarrettN]

The paint in my wheel well has peeled off the schutz in some places. Is there anything special that should be done as far a prep work to make the color hold up over the schutz?