3 replies to this topic

[ap0llo_*]

Hi,

 

I'm planning to strip the old underseal and waxoyl from the bottom of my mini and then repaint it with epoxy mastic.

 

What's the best way to jack up the mini to do this job, everything is on the car at the moment, so I'm going to have to do it with subframe, exhaust and engine in place.

 

Jack up the mini from the side / jack up the mini from the front & back / put the mini onto 4 axle stands (would this be safe with engine in position) ?

[nicklouse]

4 axel stands is NOT recommended as it is not that safe.

 

run the front wheels onto ramps and chock front and rear, then jack up the rear in stages to you are at a height you want then support with axel stands. all on level ground.

 

I recommend a full face shield rather than goggles or glasses.

[Compdoc]

My advice would be to get the underside steamed cleaned first. Most garages that do commercial vehicle work will have the equipment and it will save you a lot of dirty work. They shouldn't charge much as a mini will take 5 minutes compared to a 40ft trailer.

Underseal has to be scraped, every inch of it, I know, I've just done mine and that was with a bare shell on a spit and its still a crappy job. Once you've scraped the underseal off, you're only half way there. To get it clean enough to paint, I found petrol was the only thing strong enough to get it clean enough, and even that smears the remnants requiring multiple washes.

The area most likely to need attention is under the rear subframe and you're not going to be able to get to that without removing it.

Good luck. As nicklouse says, a cheap full face shield might help your family recognise you afterwards.

[Black.Ghost]

I'd use ramps all round personally if you want to get underneath. I hate going under a car.

The steam cleaning idea sounds much better though!