Cleaning the underside...
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Cleaning the underside...
Hello,
I am getting ready to put my car away for the winter. I tried cleaning it underneath using a 1900 psi pressure washer. Somehow I was not too pleased with the end result. Iam doing this with the understanding that it will minimize corrosion.
Has anyone got any good suggestions for cleaning the underside of my car? Anything I should be careful of? Any particular products that work well? Have you done this to your car?
Maybe this endeavour will be more work than I think, as I would like to get it to look like new again (or close to). I suspect, but I could be wrong, that this may just require good old-fashioned elbow grease!
Please share your thoughts!
Regards,
Thom-***
I am getting ready to put my car away for the winter. I tried cleaning it underneath using a 1900 psi pressure washer. Somehow I was not too pleased with the end result. Iam doing this with the understanding that it will minimize corrosion.
Has anyone got any good suggestions for cleaning the underside of my car? Anything I should be careful of? Any particular products that work well? Have you done this to your car?
Maybe this endeavour will be more work than I think, as I would like to get it to look like new again (or close to). I suspect, but I could be wrong, that this may just require good old-fashioned elbow grease!
Please share your thoughts!
Regards,
Thom-***
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,644
Likes: 13
From: South of Boston MA
Yes, lots of elbow grease for sure. A car lift is a BIG help also. There are "metal care" products on the market designed to keep all the under carriage parts looking good. You spray it on and wipe if off. A friend with a car lift did a little cleaning on my '08 coupe and I was very impressed with how easy it was to get the metal looking good. I'll give him a call and get the name of the product he used. 
My friend is away in Florida. Sorry I don't have the name of the product he used on the metal.
My friend is away in Florida. Sorry I don't have the name of the product he used on the metal.
Last edited by Shortimer; Oct 10, 2008 at 01:27 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,485
Likes: 3
From: Central NJ
come on, r u serious?
just hose off the salt after winter and you're fine... unless you drive in mud you don't really have to worry about the under carriage more than that, it will outlast you...
...washing the bottom of car...
just hose off the salt after winter and you're fine... unless you drive in mud you don't really have to worry about the under carriage more than that, it will outlast you...
...washing the bottom of car...
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,103
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MA
St. Jude Donor '08
my thoughts....I wouldn't worry about cleaning the underside....that's going way overboard....it's not going to corrode....another thought, why are you putting it away for the winter now?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 483
From: NY
come on, r u serious?
just hose off the salt after winter and you're fine... unless you drive in mud you don't really have to worry about the under carriage more than that, it will outlast you...
...washing the bottom of car...
just hose off the salt after winter and you're fine... unless you drive in mud you don't really have to worry about the under carriage more than that, it will outlast you...
...washing the bottom of car...
If it seems extreme to you then just click the back button. The guy just wants to keep the car in great shape from top to bottom and is seeking advice on products and techniques from like-minded individuals. There's nothing wrong with that.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,103
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MA
St. Jude Donor '08
Why give a guy a hard time about taking care of his car? If it seems extreme to you then just click the back button.
The guy just wants to keep the car in great shape from top to bottom and is seeking advice on products and techniques from like-minded individuals. There's nothing wrong with that.
If it seems extreme to you then just click the back button. The guy just wants to keep the car in great shape from top to bottom and is seeking advice on products and techniques from like-minded individuals. There's nothing wrong with that.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,891
Likes: 4,345
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Hello,
I am getting ready to put my car away for the winter. I tried cleaning it underneath using a 1900 psi pressure washer. Somehow I was not too pleased with the end result. Iam doing this with the understanding that it will minimize corrosion.
Has anyone got any good suggestions for cleaning the underside of my car? Anything I should be careful of? Any particular products that work well? Have you done this to your car?
Maybe this endeavour will be more work than I think, as I would like to get it to look like new again (or close to). I suspect, but I could be wrong, that this may just require good old-fashioned elbow grease!
Please share your thoughts!
Regards,
Thom-***
I am getting ready to put my car away for the winter. I tried cleaning it underneath using a 1900 psi pressure washer. Somehow I was not too pleased with the end result. Iam doing this with the understanding that it will minimize corrosion.
Has anyone got any good suggestions for cleaning the underside of my car? Anything I should be careful of? Any particular products that work well? Have you done this to your car?
Maybe this endeavour will be more work than I think, as I would like to get it to look like new again (or close to). I suspect, but I could be wrong, that this may just require good old-fashioned elbow grease!
Please share your thoughts!
Regards,
Thom-***
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,485
Likes: 3
From: Central NJ
Why give a guy a hard time about taking care of his car? If it seems extreme to you then just click the back button.
The guy just wants to keep the car in great shape from top to bottom and is seeking advice on products and techniques from like-minded individuals. There's nothing wrong with that.
If it seems extreme to you then just click the back button. The guy just wants to keep the car in great shape from top to bottom and is seeking advice on products and techniques from like-minded individuals. There's nothing wrong with that.
but, if you're overly sensitive to anything that isn't 100% positive, maybe public forums aren't for you?
Last edited by ohmy; Oct 7, 2008 at 02:52 PM.
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
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 483
From: NY
There was nothing "sensitive" about my response. I'm merely suggesting that no one should
at a guy asking for advice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,485
Likes: 3
From: Central NJ
my apologies to the OP for slightly hijacking the thread...
One more thought on the undercarriage... I would be cautious with the chemical cleaners someone suggested earlier, it might make your metal parts look clean but I would suspect theyre not good for the painted parts, if you go with this option make sure it's OK on painted surfaces...
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,093
Likes: 1,599
From: Edmond Oklahoma
If you are going to take the time to clean the undercarriage, get some automotive cleaner, I use simple green and Megs Quick Detailer. I will take several hours depending on how far you want to go with the cleaning. Not hard just time consuming, I would recommend wearing safety glasses for cleaner overspray or drift while under the car. Just be carefull and support the car correctly using jack stands for saftey.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,497
Likes: 312
From: Scottsdale AZ
I put my car on jack stands, pop off the wheels and wash out the wheel wells once or twice a year using simple green and water . . .then usually use one of the tire foam products just to coat everything and a light tough with some fine steel wool on the aluminum brightwork.
While it's up in the air, I'll usually use a wash rag with the simple green just to wipe off the underside as well as I can reach - - also a great time to reall clean the barrells of the wheels and touch up the hubs and calipers.
It's a bit OCD . . .but whatever makes you happy . you know?
While it's up in the air, I'll usually use a wash rag with the simple green just to wipe off the underside as well as I can reach - - also a great time to reall clean the barrells of the wheels and touch up the hubs and calipers.
It's a bit OCD . . .but whatever makes you happy . you know?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 738
From: panama city beach florida USA
St. Jude Donor '09
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,726
Likes: 710
From: Bergen County, NJ
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
If that is what floats your car, have at it.
But the suggestions re caution in using chemicals is a good one. Some react with grease, grease that you want to keep on key parts. Some react with paint, or whatever other metals are on the bottom side.
As to the psi of that blaster, I'd be careful as I'm sure you are. But I wouldn't use something with that much power. This isn't like you can see, control and back off if needed quickly like a deck, walkway or driveway. A hose, a brush (es), cleaners, etc. and that should do it.
But the suggestions re caution in using chemicals is a good one. Some react with grease, grease that you want to keep on key parts. Some react with paint, or whatever other metals are on the bottom side.As to the psi of that blaster, I'd be careful as I'm sure you are. But I wouldn't use something with that much power. This isn't like you can see, control and back off if needed quickly like a deck, walkway or driveway. A hose, a brush (es), cleaners, etc. and that should do it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,394
Likes: 281
From: cumming ga
If that is what floats your car, have at it. But the suggestions re caution in using chemicals is a good one. Some react with grease, grease that you want to keep on key parts. Some react with paint, or whatever other metals are on the bottom side.
As to the psi of that blaster, I'd be careful as I'm sure you are. But I wouldn't use something with that much power. This isn't like you can see, control and back off if needed quickly like a deck, walkway or driveway. A hose, a brush (es), cleaners, etc. and that should do it.
But the suggestions re caution in using chemicals is a good one. Some react with grease, grease that you want to keep on key parts. Some react with paint, or whatever other metals are on the bottom side.As to the psi of that blaster, I'd be careful as I'm sure you are. But I wouldn't use something with that much power. This isn't like you can see, control and back off if needed quickly like a deck, walkway or driveway. A hose, a brush (es), cleaners, etc. and that should do it.
How are you been busy of late.
Doug
z51vett
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,213
Likes: 397
From: Indianapolis IN
For those of you who have never cleaned the under-carriage of the car, "You'll be surprised with the increase in performance" 
Actually, I've cleaned under my car from day one. I only do this in the Summer and Fall, before winter storage. I use vinegar and water to wipe most of it down and then tire dressing on all parts that are black, painted or otherwise.
I know that this may sound a little
but, it's just part of the car enthusiast in me.
Actually, I've cleaned under my car from day one. I only do this in the Summer and Fall, before winter storage. I use vinegar and water to wipe most of it down and then tire dressing on all parts that are black, painted or otherwise.
I know that this may sound a little
but, it's just part of the car enthusiast in me.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,070
Likes: 162
From: Coralville Iowa
I know this isn't exactly what you are looking for but one of the best ways to keep it clean underneath (and I do value that also; I know exactly what you are thinking) is preventive. The best way to prevent problems is to not drive it in inclement conditions. I don't drive in rain - this is exactly why. Some don't get that - others do. I plan to have my car and have it looking good 20+ years from now. Everything you do today WILL make a difference in appearance 20 years from now. Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,262
Likes: 4
From: Manhatten Beach, California
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '11,'18,'20,'21,'24,'25, '26
Yes, lots of elbow grease for sure. A car lift is a BIG help also. There are "metal care" products on the market designed to keep all the under carriage parts looking good. You spray it on and wipe if off. A friend with a car lift did a little cleaning on my '08 coupe and I was very impressed with how easy it was to get the metal looking good. I'll give him a call and get the name of the product he used.
