Trunk floor replacement 1966 Galaxie 7-LITRE

[cleandan]

Hey all, I'm looking for experience about removing the HEAVY layers of tar like sound deadening on the trunk floor before trying to weld things back together.

Short version:
Accident ruins trunk floor.
Trunk floor was rusty so whole new trunk floor sourced in one piece.
whole trunk floor won't fit unless body removed from frame...cut new floor into sections and will weld back together in place.
Need to remove the tar before welding.....

What has worked for you to remove this stuff sufficiently to allow for quality welding?

Thanks and have a great day.

[Heo]

I use a heatgun and a putty knife to take the most of it
and then petroleumbased degreaser on a rag
Sometimes that old sound deadening have become brittle
and came loose easy with just a puttyknife and a hammer
try that first
 

[galaxiex]

On my 66 500XL I used a 4500psi pressure washer with a narrow 15 degree nozzle.
Peeled the undercoat right off and left a thin film that wiped right off with a little solvent.
YMMV

[cleandan]

Thanks for the replys so far.
I have tried the heat gun.
I have tried the solvent (a few different types)
I have tried the putty knife.

I tried some dry ice and shocking the panel.

I have not tried the pressure washer, although I don't have access to a 4500psi unit.....that is a lot of pressure.
Mine gets close to that so I will give it a go, thanks.

The undercoating on this particular trunk is still flexible, and REALLY thick.
This is probably why the trunk floor is basically primer perfect underneath it all after all these years.

I was hoping there might be a less messy, less involved method for removal but I guess I'm in for the long haul, and getting this stuff everywhere is likely as I remove it.


Hey, at least it is not a 3/8" think layer of anti-seize.

[mike7570]

I think I used a torch and a putty knife, a lot hotter than a heat gun. I remember dodging flaming drips of sealer as I worked!

[driveamerican]

Never did it myself but have read about people using dry ice to freeze it then chip it off.