Undercarriage Washer Attachment!!!

[David Fermani]

DCOutdoors- Welcome to Autopia!





Hmm...wonder how that undercar wand compared with the one David Fermani linked to back on page one of this thread :think:



Isn`t it something how the ones for a pressure washer are so much cheaper than the ones for a garden hose?!?

Seems like the same one. Good to know that there is more then 1 options for these tools. I think every detailers should have one!

[Accumulator]

..I think every detailers should have one!

Yeah, if everybody put as much importance in the condition of their undercarriages as they do the paint on their hoods....



Just the other day I spotted a *tiny* coolant leak on the beater-Tahoe. Had things not been tidy down there I never would`ve noticed until it was leaving puddles or worse (like a hundred miles from home). Previous undercar discovery was the first sign of a bad pinion seal on one of the Audis; same thing, only noticed it because everything`s spotless.

[David Fermani]

Good point. Anyone offering engine cleaning should also have one of these tools in their arsenal as well. It could be a very powerful marketing tool as you`d be guaranteed to be the only one offering both an upper and lower engine flush option. I can see it now......we`re gonna start seeing detailers posting shots of these undercarriage washers in their Click N Brags....

[DCOutdoors]

Along those lines, they have some very good degreasers and soaps as well that will go nicely through the undercarriage broom. I guess if they can clean over-the-road trucks they can clean a car`s underside! Ha, I sound like a commercial for EnviroSpec... I don`t work for them; I promise!

[C. Charles Hahn]

I can see it now......we`re gonna start seeing detailers posting shots of these undercarriage washers in their Click N Brags....

Well, I did just have a guy ask me about applying Opti-Coat to the undercarriage of his BRZ.... :fear:

[David Fermani]

Then your better see if you can hook up a supply tank to these undercarriage sprayers and shot OC through it.....

[C. Charles Hahn]

Then your better see if you can hook up a supply tank to these undercarriage sprayers and shot OC through it.....

I could do that, but...

[Accumulator]

Well, I did just have a guy ask me about applying Opti-Coat to the undercarriage of his BRZ....

I`d thought about doing that, but I got stumped by the "how to redo it after a while"-issue. Noting that I LSp the undersides of certain vehicles, I ended up deciding that coating stuff down there just wasn`t gonna make my life better.



Maybe the BRZ guy isn`t gonna keep the car forever...I`m thinking very long-term and I like products that simply "die off cleanly", which I`m not sure OptiCoat would do. Spraying it on inaccessible areas worries me....

[David Fermani]

Boy I wish I had one of these right about now. My undercarriage is riddled with road salt....

[Bill D]

I cant imagine having to go back to that, David :-(. I used to run hot water through the hose to rinse se everything off when I lived back north and more often than not had to contend with a driveway suitable for ice skating as a result, LOL.



That tool has got to be a godsend for brutal winters.

[David Fermani]

Bill - HAHA - No better way to drain your hot water tank and make an ice skate rink for your kids at the same time!

[Accumulator]

Yes indeed, I`ll be putting my American WaterBroom Undercarriage Wand to good use on the Tahoe this afternoon



Still gotta crawl under there and actually *clean* everything with brushes, swabs, sponges and mitts.... and then dress/QD it after the rest of the wash is done, but the wand is good for a quick first pass and for the initial rinsing-off of the APC/etc. that I use under there.



And yeah, I run hot/warm water through mine, and use warm water for the rest of the wash. Gotta big enough hot-water tank that I seldom run out.

[David Fermani]

Spring in here. Is your undercarriage clean??? :think2 Here`s a video (care of Classic Appreciation) of the undercarriage attachment in action:

[togwt]

High Pressure Under body Lance



Angled spray lance connected to a power washer, this set-up is specifically designed to clean those hard to reach areas under the wheel arches and the under carriage.Inlet Connection: 1/4 - inch female QC Plug - Max Pressure: 4,000 PSI - Max Flow: 3.5 to 6.0 GPM



Methodology



a) Undercarriage cleaning- thoroughly spray an undiluted citrus cleaner (P2IS Total Auto Wash) and let it soak in; remove by thoroughly rinsing with water. Fill pressure washer tank with citrus cleaner and spray undercarriage (do not use excess pressure as water may penetrate crevices and seams where it cannot drain, causing corrosion), let it soak and then remove with plain water.



b) Undercarriage Salt Removal - spray undercarriage with ValuGuard Proguard Magnesium Chloride Remover - VG-502 - An alkaline (pH 12) liquid concentrate, a blend of detergents that penetrates and disperses road and salt film, which after rinsing leaves the surface charged to repel dirt and soil. Low foam for better penetration into seams where Magnesium Chloride is difficult to remove



Cleans Magnesium Chloride residue from all surfaces and will help brighten aluminum surfaces without etching and also works well to remove bugs, tar, and asphalt. Designed to be applied by brush, moderate or high pressure spray, and can also be used in steam cleaning applications. Product is completely biodegradable





Do not allow to dry on vehicle. For cleaning tough areas like wheel wells, chassis, and very soiled wheels apply VG-502 at 1-1 mix to wet surface, allow to set for 3-5 minutes, Agitate as needed and then rinse with moderate to high-pressure water spray for a clean surface. Dry all painted and glass surfaces after rinsing to prevent water spotting.

[Accumulator]

Regulars here can guess how my undercarriages have been all winter long Same ol` same ol`, the first and last hours of every wash....



Note that, after cleaning, if you treat all these undercarriage/well areas with at least something like Fast Finish, it makes for much easier cleanup next time (besides making everything look nice). Only takes a little more effort while you`re under there drying things off.



And, heh heh...during the nice-weather months, reach underneath with a white cloth and see just how dirty the undercarriage gets all year round. As I said...*every* wash.