Any ERA owners not use undercoating?

[lippy]

I'm in the process of installing my wheel well panels and sort of like the way they look from the exterior of the car as bare aluminum. ERA installs CoreMat at the top of the fenders, so I don't think I *need* undercoating. The painter finished the wheel wells in flat black, so they look good.

Has anyone not used undercoating, and if so, is it a problem in terms of damage or noise? Bob - what do you think?

[fordracing65]

The noise would bother me, every pebble or stone that the tire grabs would drive me crazy, it's loud even with the wheel well protectant...I have also seen glass cars gets damage from stones, it actually sunbursts through the fender without protectant...

[RodKnock]

Kirkham installs a 1/2" foam, I believe, in the wheel wells. I have it and have had zero problems. I wouldn't undercoat and hide the aluminum.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Kirkham installs a 1/2" foam, I believe, in the wheel wells. I have it and have had zero problems.

Likely because you have no stones on the garage floor???

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by lippy

Has anyone not used undercoating, and if so, is it a problem in terms of damage or noise?

I did not; and it is not.

[lippy]

ERA Chas - curious, what did you do on yours?

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

Likely because you have no stones on the garage floor???

Well, when I do roll my car in and out of the garage, I do get rocks into deep grooves of my near-new Yoko tires.

[DanEC]

With an aggressive engine and sidepipes the pebble kick-up impact noise may be a non-issue.

[fordracing65]

The damage to the glass will be a problem...In AZ, out here in the desert, I have seen rocks damage the glass many times...I guess it all depends how much you drive and where...

[lippy]

Originally Posted by fordracing65

The damage to the glass will be a problem...In AZ, out here in the desert, I have seen rocks damage the glass many times...I guess it all depends how much you drive and where...

Rock damage shouldn't be an issue with an ERA. They install 1/2" CoreMat inside the wheel wells on the top for that exact reason.

[patrickt]

Believe me, if ERA thinks you need something, they will tell you so. And then they will politely offer to sell it to you or do it for you. Remember, they're in business to make money. But they will not sell you something you don't need. If they don't tell you that you need something, then you don't need it. Forget the undercoating and concentrate on painting your wheels a nice adobe beige color. They're dead ringers for magnesium.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Forget the undercoating and concentrate on painting your wheels a nice adobe beige color. They're dead ringers for magnesium.

Puh-leeze.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Puh-leeze.

I am also concerned that the brightness of Lippy's flame may cause premature consumption of Lippy's wick. There's still a long, long way to go....

[ERA 778]

I didn't undercoat the aluminum panels in my ERA because I like the looks of the bare aluminum. At very low speeds I can sometimes hear gravel tossed by the tires, but it always sounds like it is hitting the fiberglass, not the aluminum. At higher speeds you can't hear anything but the gorgeous sounds from the engine! The coremat protects the fiberglass as someone already said, so if you like the look, leave it!

[wolf k]

Exactly as above, no undercoating, no problems.

[Silversmith]

no undercoat, no issues

[tkb289]

I also went with no undercoating as well and have had no issues.

As mentioned, the CoreMat and thick fiberglass take care of the rock dings from underside and since the wheel wells are painted black you are all set. Leave the aluminum bare.

Between the roar of the motor and all the wind noise, you won't be able to hear much of anything else

[Dangerous Doug]

As long as the fiberglass is painted you should be fine. I did use an undercoating treatment, but it was more about a finished look than for noise or protection.

But! You will want to finish the underside of the spare tire well if it is not painted. It will stick out unless you paint or undercoat it.

Have fun with your build!
DD

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by lippy

ERA Chas - curious, what did you do on yours?

My car was an early chassis. The fenders and wheel liners were glass-no core mat or protection. I thin brushed-coated with 3M under coat of the day. Lasted 3 decades so far. No 'star' marks or damage of any kind.
There's a lot of myth BS about stones. They will eat your pipe leading edges and fender splash areas long before any internal damage.

[lamaluv]

My car is also an early one (EXP002) and has no protection on the fender wells. It is now over 30 years on the road and has only one small star on a left rear fender. I don't think that I would be loosing much sleep about it if I were you.