Cleaning the Undercarriage

[steelblue5505]

Re: Cleaning the Undercarriage

Some foks get enjoyment from driving their car.
Some folks get enjoyment from washing their car.
Some folks get enjoyment from fretting about their car.

Most folks seem to be as happy as they let themselves be.

IMHO

[Chuck]

Re: Cleaning the Undercarriage

Skip, I typically do my undercarriage twice a year unless I get caught in a rain storm. I jack up the car, fill a small bucket with warm soapy water, grab a small terrycloth towel, crawl underneath and go for it. When the water gets dirty I crawl out from underneath and change it. I use your basic (NAPA) car wash soap.

[bwlewis]

Re: Cleaning the Undercarriage

Skip, I would stay away from anything high-pressure. Several years ago we made a trip to Deep Creek Lake in late winter...got caught in a snow storm...the Blackbird was white with salt when we got back home. Ran it through one of the brushless car washes with the undercarriage wash (primarily the reason for using it) and got the dreaded "E" code. After everything dried out the code was gone and no problems...but apparently the water got into something and I won't chance it again. I'll just clean it at home from now on.

[FUN X 3]

Re: Cleaning the Undercarriage

My car is a daily driver, it now has 86,000 smiles on it. I use the high-pressure undercarriage wash that's included in the automatic car washes, during the winter only. During spring-summer-fall, the Bird gets pampered with hand-washing and good old elbow-grease, although you'll never find me under my Bird hand-washing the undercarriage.

[blue731]

Re: Cleaning the Undercarriage

I think between:

a) No washing or spraying under the carriage
b) sprinkler
c) high pressure hose


I would pick a) as the very first choice. Older cars suffered undercarriage rust due to two factors; 1) the steel was not very good in the 60's, 70's and 80's, and 2) they (and cars of old) did not benefit from modern rust coatings that are used today.

I suppose, if you ran the car in high salt conditions, you could benefit from a gentle and controlled rinsing, but that should not be often. Like others have stated, sensitive electronics can get dowsed and then you got electrical problems.

[Skip]

Re: Cleaning the Undercarriage

Hi Dave:

All very good points. In the almost 8 years I have had my car the undercarriage has likely only been "cleaned" 3-4 times, and only by the methods noted above. I do get concerned about the issues you indicate, but also don't want to let something "fester" that I could have taken care of. I hope to get it on a lift in the next few weeks to give it a look see, then make a determination from that as to how to proceed. Thanks!

Skip

PS: I note you are in the Northern VA area, if I am reading your info correct. We would sure like to see you and your ice blue metallic at Mid-Atlantic get togethers.

I think between:

a) No washing or spraying under the carriage
b) sprinkler
c) high pressure hose


I would pick a) as the very first choice. Older cars suffered undercarriage rust due to two factors; 1) the steel was not very good in the 60's, 70's and 80's, and 2) they (and cars of old) did not benefit from modern rust coatings that are used today.

I suppose, if you ran the car in high salt conditions, you could benefit from a gentle and controlled rinsing, but that should not be often. Like others have stated, sensitive electronics can get dowsed and then you got electrical problems.