asbestos?

pseftoncomcastnet
pseftoncomcastnet Senior Contributor
in HUDSON

I'm wondering about that black coating that's used on the interior surface areas, like the floor of the step-down trunk in specific. I was chipping off a few loose pieces with a razor blade and it suddenly occurred to me that this might be some asbestos-based compound like some household insulating paints. Has anyone researched this and what's the best way to be rid of it? I had the car blasted but a few stubborn patches stayed put.

Peter S..  

Comments

  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    I expect that you are speaking of the tar that was used to seal the seems inside the car.  Often Hudson also used a coat of this tar on the surface to reduce sound.  It is not laced with asbestos.  About the only reason I would chip it out is to be sure there is no rust under it.  And, by the way, I have never found rust under the sealer.
  • pseftoncomcastnet
    pseftoncomcastnet Senior Contributor

    Reassuring news on the sealer, which is the thick stuff on the seams, I think.

    There is also a thinner tar-like coating  that  covered the whole floor of the trunk. It's perhaps the thickness of a couple coats of paint. It survived only in patches and unfortunately has some light surface rust under their edge, probably because the rubber mat trapped moisture under it. I'd like to just peel it off so long as it isn't asbestos.


    PS.

  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Not laced with asbestos, but does have lead in it.  
  • pseftoncomcastnet
    pseftoncomcastnet Senior Contributor

    Good to know. Sounds like latex gloves and a dust mask should do it, as I'm just picking it off with a razor blade and dental pick, not grinding.


    PS

  • pseftoncomcastnet
    pseftoncomcastnet Senior Contributor

    Thanks for these tips!


    PS

  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    I was just joking.  But the precautions will not do any harm.  
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    edited January 2015
    Peter, I think you're seeing the then common "undercoating" product, which most of the higher end cars had on the body underside as well as in the trunk.  It served as a rust inhibitor and sound deadener, and could be ordered as an extra on models that didn't have it.  Don't know for sure if all Hornets and Commodores had it as standard, but I've never seen one that didn't.  Mine is still intact everywhere it was applied.
  • ken1962
    ken1962 Member
    Remember your brake pads are asbestos so I'd be careful cleaning dust around the drums. Believe brake manufacters changed their products in the early 1980's to a safer product
  • pseftoncomcastnet
    pseftoncomcastnet Senior Contributor

    Bad news, A lab test established that there is asbestos in both the original seam sealant and undercoat.

    The other week, a friend I'd mentioned the question to offered to run some samples through the analytic lab he works with. I gave him separate samples of both the undercoat on the trunk floor and the seam sealant between the fender and the trunk floor.

    Today the sealant came back as 5% asbestos and the undercoat 2%, both in chrysotile form, which is a carcinogen.

    My thought is that I will encapsulate mine and be sure to wear an asbestos mask if I remove any sealed panels.

    Peter S.


       


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