Cleaning The Undercarraige

[positron1]

I searched this topic but found nothing. It may sound stupid to some of you but some of us have an overwhelming attention to detail. I've been under my car alot over the past three weeks and I've been constantly cleaning under there after swapping out parts. Once the grime and build-up has been removed what can I use on the undercarraige and wheel wells to help keep it grime free and looking good...as good as something that is always 3 inches from the ground and under constant barrage by all types of conditions and filth can. I've heard that you can spray WD-40 and some of other cleaners on or under that to help protect...is this true? Realistically I know that it will never be clean but it can be kept up. There is a big difference in my undercarraige now than it was three weeks ago and hey, losing 5lbs. of grime and dirt may improve my quarter mile time. Weight reduction is weight reduction whether it's off your undercarraige or your fat*ss! LOL!

[180fan]

I usually just use a pressure washer and a small reservoir with car washing detergent. I've seen folks use stuff like oven cleaners and stuff, but that stuff's pretty harsh and can strip the coating on the underside of the car. Speaking of which, that might be something you should look into to see if it's been worn thin in areas.

Another pro for cleaning the underside, when you're underneath the car, less crap that'll fall in your mouth or eyes by accident.

So what kind of cleaner have you been using?

[positron1]

I think I saw one of those at Autozone. I'll try that. I've been scrubbing hard to get to areas with a brush while the car was on stands and just pressure washing it at the car wash two to three times a week. As far as a cleaner I've been using the typical soapy car wash fluid and I used some kind of generic cleaner for cutting thru the grime. I found out the hard way and listened to some idiot and used oven cleaner on my engine. It got clean but left a white blotchy residue on my intake manifold, strut tower bar and it ate some of the hide off my KA's valve cover. ATTENTION NICONAUTS DO NOT USE OVEN CLEANER ON YOUR CAR...USE IT ON YOUR OVEN!!!!

[180fan]

yeah the lye in the oven cleaners can do that to aluminum. which is why if used, could see application on the undercarriage, not on the visible areas, but yeah that stuff is pretty harsh.

[Doogan]

Simple Green and a heated pressure washer are all you'll ever need to clean an underbody.

WD-40 will just attract more crap.

[wesae86240MK2]

try using this stuff its called purple power now im sure that sounds really gay but i use it to clean my engine compartment every month or so and it is clean!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! try that you can get it at wal-mart or autozone or whatever its usually in a big white 1 gallon container.

[positron1]

Thanks. I'm gonna try 'em both.

[pr240sx]

Next time.... read the labels before using ANY product.

Oven cleaner clearly states DONT USE on chrome or polished aluminium.Still, I highly prefer to use oven cleaner to remove excesive grime on my car but NOT on wheels, polished or show areas.It cleans perfectly transmission cases, engine parts, transmission tunnel, driveshafts, suspension parts, etc.Just be careful with fumes (READ THE LABEL!) and use protection (AGAIN, READ THE $^&@# LABEL)

Simple green is also very harsh is used incorrectly, so again READ THE LABEL and FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS!!!

[irocknrol2]

Ok, what most of the concours ( that is the de Elegance car show that all the elite go to once a year) guys use is a detergent like Simple Green mixed with water or some other commercial cleaner and water and a brush. Its hard to get it clean the first time but once you do, if you reguarly clean the undercarriage you can keep it fairly clean without huge amounts of laborious work.

[positron1]

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions. Many of us have new and expensive parts under there and we don't want something eating the hide off them in the process.

[s13redtaz]

try using this stuff its called purple power now im sure that sounds really gay but i use it to clean my engine compartment every month or so and it is clean!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! try that you can get it at wal-mart or autozone or whatever its usually in a big white 1 gallon container.

purple power is te S*%T. usually dilute it wit 2 parts water and spray the engine bay, or whatever you want. fumes are a bit harsh if not diluted.

[crash n burn]

i get this industrial strength grease/grime (all purpose basically) disolvent from work..part it out 1/3 and spray engine..and part it out half so clean the underbody..let it sit for 5 minutes and just rinse it off, clean as a wistle

[Axel Grungy]

LABEL)

Simple green is also very harsh is used incorrectly,

simple green ....harsh?? huh?? how lolenlighten me

ive used that stuff on just about anything. Does it have some weird effect on some material??

[180fan]

simple green can dull anodized stuff and on polished aluminum parts