Floorboard Coating

[gwp4]

Hi Camaro Experts -

I'm restoring my standard base model 1968 Camaro back to it's original condition and have a question about the floorboards.  Did GM ever use any coating or rust preventer on them?  Also, I'm wondering if I should put a rust preventer primer on the boards with a top coat on top to try and keep the rust away.  Anyone have any positive experiences with Master Series or Eastwood Rust Encapsulator? Are they close to what GM might have used back in 68?  Or would straight epoxy do the trick?  Look forward to comments and recommendations.  Many thanks.  gwp4 

[william]

These are '69s, but both excellent re-creations of production floor pan finish.

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=140219&highlight=grady&page=3

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=162667&page=14

This one was cleaned only.

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=149308&page=12

Those were Norwood cars; Van Nuys could be different. Here's one that was cleaned, not refinished.

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=161440&page=14

Plan to get dirty!

[camaroboy68ss]

the underside of my  Van Nuys 68 has the original undercoating as its on everything but the subframe and rear end and those have never been out of the car.

 

[69Z28-RS]

During these years, I don't believe that the factory applied full underfloor undercoating; they only applied a bit in the fenderwells...   If your undercoating has been there since New, then the dealership applied it.

[camaroboy68ss]

During these years, I don't believe that the factory applied full underfloor undercoating; they only applied a bit in the fenderwells...   If your undercoating has been there since New, then the dealership applied it.

Ive thought that as well and it probably is dealer applied. For a Pacific Northwest car since new, it matches every other GM product I have came across that has been in the region since new as it was pretty much applied right off the truck it seems.

Did have a original 67 that spend most of its life in So-cal and was a Van Nuys built car and it was just primer for the most part. I had mainly taken a rag to the floorpan and wiped on it and that was what was underneath the road grime.

[gwp4]

Wow, those are some great photos.  So clean.  I'm also interested in the interior floorboards and whether they should have 2 coats of primer and then a top coat to protect against the hated rust.  Anyone have any positive experiences with Master Series or Eastwood's Rust Encapsulator or prefer one over the other?  I'm curious what GM might have used to coat (or not coat) the interior floorboards on the cars coming from the factory. Or did they just let them roll off the line with some thin tack paper under the jute and carpeting.  Keep up the great responses.  Many thanks. gwp4.

[69Z28-RS]

gwp4:   Read John Hinckley's report and it should answer your questions...

http://www.camaros.org/assemblyprocess.shtml

PS.  There are many great reports in that section which will answer many/most/all of your questions on the first gen Camaro!

[camaroboy68ss]

On the inside this is what the floor pans looked like under the carpet when I replaced it a few years ago. Looks like some red primer or factory red paint as the car was a red car originally.







Never pulled the interior out of the California 67 car, that was a quick flip car.