Editing Forums/Z31P/z31-repairs-forums engine-mechanical/Rust in hatch area

{{ForumImport
|op_user=soundjas300zx
|op_date=2011-08-23 14:33:35
|post_count=7
|archive_url=/Z31performance_archive/forum/z31-repairs-forums/engine-mechanical/15320-rust-in-hatch-area.html
}}

'''soundjas300zx:''' <small>(2011-08-23 14:33:35)</small>

Hi everybody

I have been a member for while and have never had to ask a question on here due to you really can find just about anything you could ever want or need about our cars on here.

But I have come to a point to where I have to as a question due to I cant find it.

very basic in the rear hatch i am killing all the rust that is back there and noticed that under the tool kit and in the center of the hatch there a what appear to be removable pannals. I was wondering whats under them (if anything) and what is the best way to get them up with out destroying them.

Thank you in advance

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'''michaelp:''' <small>(2011-08-23 14:35:35)</small>

Floor is under them…on a non-rusted Z31 atleast.

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'''soundjas300zx:''' <small>(2011-08-23 14:43:01)</small>

Thats what i figured but just in case wanted to check. Do you know why they were put there?

And thank you

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'''Mycuss:''' <small>(2017-12-17 23:41:00)</small>

I know this is an old post, but Did you ever figure out a way to remove those metal panels? I have been searching the net for this with no success. If anyone has done this in the past, any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

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'''Z_Karma:''' <small>(2017-12-18 14:48:21)</small>

Remove whats left of the #2 phillips head screws that attach them. Then start at one corner and begin prying. They are attached with a sound deadening/seam sealer type adhesive that attaches them very well

to the metal beneath. Some have even removed the larger panel by carefully cutting it into chunks with a cutoff wheel and prying it up in pieces.

You could help the adhesive release a lot by covering the panels with dry ice and letting it chill for awhile then whacking it a few times all over with a mallet. This makes the adhesive very brittle and it then may release easier with a flat pry bar or putty scraper. It's the same method used for removing thick undercoating or the interior sound deadening applied beneath the carpeting.

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'''Mycuss:''' <small>(2017-12-18 17:29:07)</small>

Thank you so much! Thatâs exactly what I needed. Do you know what they are for? If I take them off, do I need to replace them? Mine, especially under the toolbox is rusted. It seems solid, so I was going to grind it down and paint, but then I got concerned that the underside of the plate may be rusty too, the reason I want to take it off.

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'''Z_Karma:''' <small>(2017-12-18 17:58:15)</small>

Mine were rusted as well. I think they put the metal plates over the sound deadening material to keep the foam from either wearing against it or just sticking to it.

There is nothing they are covering other than more sheetmetal. I removed the metal plates and scraped all the black crap off. The metal beneath was then sanded to bare

metal and treated with a rust treatment, primer and then sealed with seam sealer before repainting.