Enging and Undercarriage Cleaning
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield VA
Enging and Undercarriage Cleaning
My 79 vette came from GA and although has no real rust, the engine is very dirty and the undercarriage is full of the lovely White Georgia Sand packed on it. What is the best way to clean my enging and Chasis? When I was in the Marines we used simple green to clean our Light Armored Vehicles, and we used wire brushes to bust the rust then painted over it with rustoleum. Am I on the right track? Can I just spray degreaser on my engine block then hose it off as long as I keep the wires dry? Thanks!!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
I used the purple stuff degreaser but simple green works too. Used a short pressure cleaner wand. Did it repeatedly for 2 days and wore a rainsuit with car jacked up. Got every nook and cranny possible.
Well worth the effort. Just let it dry well before running. I waited a few days.
Be glad it's just the Georgia white sand and not the red clay.
Well worth the effort. Just let it dry well before running. I waited a few days.
Be glad it's just the Georgia white sand and not the red clay.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
Are you doing this at home? If so, lay down some plastic. Crud will get everywhere. A high presurre hose works great. Spray two or three cans of engine degreaser everywhere the night before and let it soak in. Then the high pressure hose will knock it off with ease.
Don't forget to clean out your ears after.
Good luck!
Don't forget to clean out your ears after.
Good luck!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
If it is really bad it may take several attacks with the power sprayer to get it clean. Remember, it didn't get on there in one day......
Now be a good boy and fill out your profile.....and show us before and after pics of the engine bay...
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield VA
I use engine degreaser and heavy duty cleaner on mine. I get it warm, then spray on the soap, then take it off with the power sprayer. I try to do it on a warm sunny day so any electrics will dry out if they get wet. I don't cover anything or worry about wires, etc. I have seven vehicles and wash them all this way, including my 91 (L98).
If it is really bad it may take several attacks with the power sprayer to get it clean. Remember, it didn't get on there in one day......
Now be a good boy and fill out your profile.....and show us before and after pics of the engine bay...
If it is really bad it may take several attacks with the power sprayer to get it clean. Remember, it didn't get on there in one day......
Now be a good boy and fill out your profile.....and show us before and after pics of the engine bay...
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,821
Likes: 204
From: Lincoln CA
The before pics will make a great display when showing the car later. I have photos of my 69 Mustang's engine compartment as it stood the day I bought it. One of the P.O.s must have blown an upper radiator hose and the whole engine bay was coated in a layer of dried rusty water. When people compare it to the engine compartment now, I always gets lots of positive feedback. Fortunately my Vette was cared for prior to my owning it. The compartment was pretty clean when I bought it. I've got one of those steamers that they advertize on infomercials and I used it on the engine to get the light dirt and grease off of the painted areas. Looks pretty good.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: Streator Illinois
Terry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 3
From: Cruising somewhere in St. Louis, Missouri
Get it done right... I never had an issue taking it somewhere professional to do the cleaning. This is better than Mr. Spary can can in a hand engine degreaser and a garden hose. $175.00 complete ... that's everything top and bottom
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Steam cleaning the undercarriage is the best way to go. You don't have to do any of the work and all the old road dirt, tar, grease, etc. is GONE ! Just make sure they know what they are doing when working on a 'vintage' car and ask them not to use too much pressure on non-frame items. [It is a good idea to bag up the distributor and carb/air cleaner before they shoot it. It also wouldn't hurt if you turn off the battery disconnect (if you have one).]
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 316
Likes: 1
From: The Woodlands TX
On those very stubborn baked on parts, I used oven cleaner, but make sure you don't get it on polished aluminum and watch the times you leave it on cast aluminum. It is nice since it will go ahead and take the paint off as well if you want to repaint. Be very careful with the splashback though, it is not very skin friendly.
