Underside Cleaning?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,071
Likes: 1,589
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Ed is right! I know of two separate cases where the use of Aluminum Brightner has caused composit spring failure. One was on the road at 40 MPH, no one was hurt but it sure made for some scary moments. Be very careful with this stuff, it works well but it is an acid.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 29
Likes: 3
From: Long Island, NY
That Underwasher looks good, I'll probably order one when I get back...
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,020
Likes: 3,555
From: Central MO
I can't see the underneath of the car unless I have it up on a lift so I don't care a whole lot if it's a little dirty. It's going to get dirty if you drive the car, and that's why I bought it.
I also use the bottom blaster at a car wash or drive it in heavy rainstorms and call that good enough.....
I also use the bottom blaster at a car wash or drive it in heavy rainstorms and call that good enough.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 450
From: Texarkana Texas
I did use the Aluminum Brightener a couple of years ago to get the grease and grime off the aluminum. Use it sparingly and DO NOT let it stay on but a couple of seconds. Rinse very well. Otherwise, lots of wiping, wax on the chrome parts. Also use Armorall on all black parts...shocks, spring, sway bar, etc. Once clean, only takes a few minutes to keep it that way after a few drives or before a show.
Yes, couldn't get them to look like I wanted so I ended up using some red fingernail paint. I did this prior to entering a show. Wound up winning Best of Show. Not exactly the look I was going for, just looking for a little color under the car to show off the aluminum and chrome.
Yes, couldn't get them to look like I wanted so I ended up using some red fingernail paint. I did this prior to entering a show. Wound up winning Best of Show. Not exactly the look I was going for, just looking for a little color under the car to show off the aluminum and chrome.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,128
Likes: 616
From: St Louis Area IL
I did use the Aluminum Brightener a couple of years ago to get the grease and grime off the aluminum. Use it sparingly and DO NOT let it stay on but a couple of seconds. Rinse very well. Otherwise, lots of wiping, wax on the chrome parts. Also use Armorall on all black parts...shocks, spring, sway bar, etc. Once clean, only takes a few minutes to keep it that way after a few drives or before a show.
Yes, couldn't get them to look like I wanted so I ended up using some red fingernail paint. I did this prior to entering a show. Wound up winning Best of Show. Not exactly the look I was going for, just looking for a little color under the car to show off the aluminum and chrome.
Yes, couldn't get them to look like I wanted so I ended up using some red fingernail paint. I did this prior to entering a show. Wound up winning Best of Show. Not exactly the look I was going for, just looking for a little color under the car to show off the aluminum and chrome.
When you are jumping over creeks like the Dukes of Hazzard?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 450
From: Texarkana Texas
Just did this out in the yard to try it out.
The very bottom one is the last one I got. It is for Best of Show. Probably 80+ cars, of that, probably 40 Corvettes, including a 2015 Z06. All of these are for the same car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 450
From: Texarkana Texas
Thanks. Its not a daily driver. I drive it when I want to, 3 or 4 times a month. I do not leave the house in it if its raining. I have been caught out in the rain also. Just takes a couple of hours of wiping to get it clean again. The wife and I went to Eureka Springs last year in it and half way there, got caught in a downpour. It rained the whole time we were in Eureka Springs. Not very fun.
Last edited by LMB-Z; Feb 3, 2017 at 11:51 AM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,128
Likes: 616
From: St Louis Area IL
Thanks. Its not a daily driver. I drive it when I want to, 3 or 4 times a month. I do not leave the house in it if its raining. I have been caught out in the rain also. Just takes a couple of hours of wiping to get it clean again. The wife and I went to Eureka Springs last year in it and half way there, got caught in a downpour. It rained the whole time we were in Eureka Springs. Not very fun.
I'm a student of human behavior and am just curious in a persons motivations. Everything in my life and home has to be symmetrical. If I knew that one exhaust pipe was shorter than the other, or if one tire stuck out past the wheel well more than the other, I would be compelled to fix it, no matter the cost.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 450
From: Texarkana Texas
Are you this fastidious with other items in your home as you are with your Corvette? Like clean garbage cans for example?
I'm a student of human behavior and am just curious in a persons motivations. Everything in my life and home has to be symmetrical. If I knew that one exhaust pipe was shorter than the other, or if one tire stuck out past the wheel well more than the other, I would be compelled to fix it, no matter the cost.
I'm a student of human behavior and am just curious in a persons motivations. Everything in my life and home has to be symmetrical. If I knew that one exhaust pipe was shorter than the other, or if one tire stuck out past the wheel well more than the other, I would be compelled to fix it, no matter the cost.
LOL...no, I don't consider myself to be OCD. I was a fireman for over 26 years and had a lot of down time. Part of that time, I had Corvettes. I used the down time to clean the car. Made time go by faster (spending 24 hours at a time at a fire station can be a longggggg time). Started showing the Z at local car shows. I do like my car to be clean though.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 12,687
Likes: 224
From: Nazareth, PA.
St. Jude Donor '17
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,454
Likes: 325
From: Houston TX
Thanks. Its not a daily driver. I drive it when I want to, 3 or 4 times a month. I do not leave the house in it if its raining. I have been caught out in the rain also. Just takes a couple of hours of wiping to get it clean again. The wife and I went to Eureka Springs last year in it and half way there, got caught in a downpour. It rained the whole time we were in Eureka Springs. Not very fun.
I really should take a bunch of pictures of my car and show what 10 years of daily driving, element exposure, and wear looks like. I have people tell me that my car looks great all of the time, but seeing cars like your's, I know better.
That'll do it !!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 15,063
Likes: 4,745
From: Washington Township Michigan
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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they actually are Chevrolets and actually were designed, developed, and manufactured to be driven........
driving it 3 or 4 days a month while living in a warm weather state out to be a crime...............
Last edited by rkj427; Feb 9, 2017 at 07:29 PM.
