Cleaning the undercarriage

ericthebikeman

New member
How do I clean under the car? I wouldn't think jacking it up then getting underneath would be all that safe. I don't think an occasional spray with the garden hose is going to cut it.

Is there something I can spray on should I find rust?
 
~One man’s opinion / observations ~



Undercarriage:

Thoroughly spray an undiluted citrus cleaner (P21S Total Auto Wash) and let it soak in, remove by thoroughly rinsing with water. If you have a pressure washer available, fill 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



Spray undercarriage with Undercarriage Spray (Groit’s PN 11138) two or three light coats are better than one heavy one, allow drying between coats. This product contains silicone so wipe away any over spray from floors immediately as it may cause a slipping hazard



Undercarriage Corrosion:

Corrosion (rust) destroys metal by an electro-chemical reaction with moisture. Corrosion arresting products are available (Corrosion Block Groit’s PN 20248) that penetrate corrosion cells, emulsify the moisture and separates it from the metal leaving an ultra-thin barrier to protect the metal from further damage It is not enough to simply seal over existing corrosion by moisture displacement. While this technique will prevent further contact with the electrolyte, (moisture), it also traps existing moisture under the sealant, thus allowing that corrosion to continue. Corrosion arresting products, when applied to a moist surface, will wick the moisture through the coating to the surface



Protecting Bare Metal:

To protect bare metal from damaging corrosion (rust) (Groit’s Rust Barrier PN 20011) on undercarriage, battery boxes, rocker panels or other areas where corrosion is hard to keep under control. A rust barrier can be brush applied on to rusted surfaces (remove any loose rust particles or flaking) allow to dry and then apply a topcoat



~Hope this helps~



Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/ Jon

justadumbarchitect *so I question everything*
 
You dont necessarily have to jack up the car,if you have a flat surface you could use a creeper, or like I have to, lay partially on a mat. I just use plain ol' Castrol Super Clean, it does the job for me. As for rust, I have treated *light* corrosion with Kano Labs' Exrust. On metal surfaces I have sealed with AIO/SG and I dress plastic areas like fuel tanks, splash guards,etc with Megs Engine Kote and soon, floor shine.
 
I spray my degreaser with a two gallon bug sprayer and I have a curved undercarriage wand for my pressure washer.... During winter months, with salt being put down on roads, I will go to the brushless carwashes that have undercarriage sprays just for a quickie. ( but do the cheap one...no wax and no blow dry)
 
By the way......I have used GG spray also but you can get the same thing from TOL for a whole lot less.
 
3Dog,



You're talking about the GG undercarriage spray dressing ? What brand does TOL sell it under?
 
So a pressure washer won't screw up something under there like exaust as long as the pressure isn't super high? I have a washer around here somewhere so that sounds like a good start.



I'm thinking spray with castrol wash, pressure wash rinse, get the creaper out and find rust spots and treat them with rust converter or something like it, followed by color paint of the part rust was removed from. Only problem is the car rides pretty low so I have to find a way to get it up without getting killed.
 
He he, I pulled muscles numerous times from contorting reaching for spots on my undercarriage but at least I'm alive ;)



I would agitate the castrol wash with some kind of brush. I just recently used those brushes on poles they sell for washing the paint with! :scared. It does seem to work well for the carriage through :up
 
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