Chassis Wash?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,956
Likes: 4,814
From: Camden SC
Chassis Wash?
My mechanic is just finishing up sealing a bunch of small leaks underneath my 1973, mostly by replacing leaking old, dry rotted lines, installing new steering control valve and fuel pump, etc. When he finishes up, I really want to pressure wash the bottom of the car, to get 51 years of crap off, but do not own a lift of my own, and don't know how effective it would be to just slide the pressure washer under the car and go at it. What are some ways I might go about this?
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
They make pressure washer wand ends with various bends (45 deg really useful) that give you a way to work underneath a vehicle. Get it up on jackstands at least to give you a way to check progress.
If your pressure washer has a detergent suction port use simple green to spray - it has emulsifiers that really attack grease
If your pressure washer has a detergent suction port use simple green to spray - it has emulsifiers that really attack grease
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 2,193
From: Minnesota
Without a lift it makes it more difficult, but even with something like rhino ramps you can gain access to a good amount of the underside of the car.
There’s a good article on chassis detailing here
There’s a good article on chassis detailing here
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 1,774
From: Seattle Area Washington
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 425
Likes: 93
From: Mechanicville NY
Hi LIE2ME,
You should try dry ice blasting. It’s fairly expensive to do, but it will not take the paint off the frame or any parts, but will get rid of grease & build up. I spent $4000 to do just before judging. Makes the underneath looks good as new
Thanks
Mark F.
You should try dry ice blasting. It’s fairly expensive to do, but it will not take the paint off the frame or any parts, but will get rid of grease & build up. I spent $4000 to do just before judging. Makes the underneath looks good as new
Thanks
Mark F.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,504
Likes: 533
From: Ventura California
$4000?!?! Wow, I hoping to do this to my new 68 L89 chassis, but I don't think its in the budget.
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For 4 thousand dollars I just won't look underneath the car!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2020
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From: Central NJ
Two things;
Most old school mechanics I know say to never power wash your car, top or bottom unless you really don't care about it... It blows water into areas and things that never normally get wet, or should get wet. Electrical connections can corrode, inner frame areas where there is no protection, tops of wheel well on steel cars and especially trucks. The engine bay is a certain no-no... A good solvent/cleaner, some elbow grease and low pressure rinse and call it good..
Speaking of cleaners, am I the only one who thinks that all the hype about simple green is a hoax. I have tried it diluted, straight, let it soak, even thrown some parts in a bucket of the stuff... It might clean simple dirt but hardly touches anything with petroleum in it, grease, oil build up...Cars, Trucks, Bikes, even lawn equipment...I have a free gallon of the stuff if anyone wants it... For real nasty stuff I hit it with gunk, then scrub it with a real strong mixture of Dawn, then garden hose rinse taking care to cover or avoid electric stuff...
60
Most old school mechanics I know say to never power wash your car, top or bottom unless you really don't care about it... It blows water into areas and things that never normally get wet, or should get wet. Electrical connections can corrode, inner frame areas where there is no protection, tops of wheel well on steel cars and especially trucks. The engine bay is a certain no-no... A good solvent/cleaner, some elbow grease and low pressure rinse and call it good..
Speaking of cleaners, am I the only one who thinks that all the hype about simple green is a hoax. I have tried it diluted, straight, let it soak, even thrown some parts in a bucket of the stuff... It might clean simple dirt but hardly touches anything with petroleum in it, grease, oil build up...Cars, Trucks, Bikes, even lawn equipment...I have a free gallon of the stuff if anyone wants it... For real nasty stuff I hit it with gunk, then scrub it with a real strong mixture of Dawn, then garden hose rinse taking care to cover or avoid electric stuff...
60
Race Director
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OK, Then I'll add this. As a 9ld school mechanic. (Actually don't know of any older than me still working full time plus as a mechanic).
I agree that pressure washing can indeed cause more harm than good in some situations.
AND.
Anyone crawling under my car is going to get a boot up there butt! What are they doing there!
SO, just how clean does it need to be!
I agree that pressure washing can indeed cause more harm than good in some situations.
AND.
Anyone crawling under my car is going to get a boot up there butt! What are they doing there!
SO, just how clean does it need to be!