Undercarriage Washing
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Carlisle Pennsylvania
Undercarriage Washing
I have a 69 stingray and was wondering if there was any advantage to cleaning the undercarriage....its not a show car. Part of me wouldn't mind taking a pressure washer to it but the other part of me says the 40 years of grease and dirt are protecting everything under there. Please advise....Thanks all
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
Depends on how greasy and oily the undercarriage is.
If it's too greasy, you are running the risk of it catching fire.
Cleaning is not going to take care of the rust issues if there are any.
If it's too greasy, you are running the risk of it catching fire.
Cleaning is not going to take care of the rust issues if there are any.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
I clean the underside of every vehicle I own, and none are show cars underneath. It just makes it so much nicer when you have to work on them. I don't think the grime is protecting anything.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
yes nicer to work on, cleaner to look at.. my car is not driven much and I have no need to have a layer of grease to protect the underside.. in fact every time I am under there, i work about 10 minutes just with a solvent soaked rag scrubbing away..
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,959
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From: NYC NY
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 497
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From: Streator Illinois
Yeah, and like Dark Blue said, lots of rags. A cheap toilet bowl brush or a vegetable brush with nylon bristles comes in handy too.
Terry
Last edited by tnovot; Jul 10, 2009 at 10:52 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Add some ramps to put the car on and this is the best combo listed yet. 
I usually spend about 10-15 minutes under whatever car it is I am working on wiping and cleaning grease up. Like everyone says, it just makes it nicer if and when you have to work on it again.
I usually spend about 10-15 minutes under whatever car it is I am working on wiping and cleaning grease up. Like everyone says, it just makes it nicer if and when you have to work on it again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Shreveport LA
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 497
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From: Streator Illinois
Big differrence is the flash point. Yes, it burns when on a wick or suitable material but it is not highly volatile like gasoline and does not give off highly flammable vapors at normal ambient temperatures. That's also why I suggested to do it outside.Nothing wrong with Gunk engine degreaser, water, and a scrubber though.
Terry
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 38
From: springtown Texas
tomorrow i'm taking the pressure washer to my 82 while the motor is out. it looks like it's never been cleaned under there. the engine compartment is full of sludge. i pulled the spare tire and upper and lower carrier out and the rear suspension is filthy also. we'll see how clean i can get it.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 549
Likes: 5
From: punta gorda florida
washing
I did mine with a good gegreaser called the right stuff its much safer and the fumes arenot as bad got big piece of platic and drove car on it then hung the rest as to not have grease and degreaser going all over and not getting in to the soil around garage jacked car up cleaned it then backed it up the plastic really helped with the mess
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
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From: Austin TX
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
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From: Redondo Beach, California
I used a rotary wire brush mounted on a electric hand drill for most of my grime. Sometimes I used a scraper. The rotary wire brush will probably remove the original black paint on the frame. After getting most of the grime off, I then used paper towels soaked in lacquer thinner to clean off the frame. Did this several times to really clean off the steel and then used Eastwoods black frame paint. I was told this paint will stick even if the frame has not been absolutely perfectly degreased.
Yes the grease and grime can protect the frame. Were I removed the grease and grime, the underlying frame was rust free. After I finally got all the grease and grime off, it was great to be able to work on the car and not get my hands dirty.
Yes the grease and grime can protect the frame. Were I removed the grease and grime, the underlying frame was rust free. After I finally got all the grease and grime off, it was great to be able to work on the car and not get my hands dirty.
