cleaning the underbody suggestions please

[Michael F.]

best way and stuff to use to clean the underside of the body, frame is good and clean but body itself has years of road crud, want to get it back to way it left chevy without taking body off...it is 67 rodster. thanks.

[Peter B.]

Re: cleaning the underbody suggestions please

Michael, a quick search of the archives will yield everything you ever wanted to know on the subject. Here's a link to one thread from a search for "chassis cleaning". Good Luck.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?t=81280&highlight=cleaning+chassis&uid=3257

[Dick G.]

Re: cleaning the underbody suggestions please

Underbody cleaning. Spread out plastic sheeting onto floor to catch filth. Put on some safety glasses and rubber gloves. Start off with a narrow dull putty knife. Aftter the heavy stuff has been scraped off. Get out one of the many degreaser type cleaners, not solvents. I have tried several. The citrus variety works well. Get yourself a soft Brass wire wheel on a 4 1/2 grinder. Very little pressure needed. Only use this on the tough grime areas and in tight contours where putty knife cannot scrape. Soak area to be wirewheeled with your cleaner and hit it with your wirewheel. Again, get a soft brass wirewheel. This technique works and the citrus variety cleaners are usually bio-degradeable and more importantly non-flammable. Stay away from any products like lacquer, acetone, turpentine. Have some fun.
DG

[Michael F.]

Re: cleaning the underbody suggestions please

thanks for the tips

[Garry B.]

Re: cleaning the underbody suggestions please

I have had great success with WD40 breaking down the really tough stuff.
Garry 18531

[Dick G.]

Re: cleaning the underbody suggestions please

Garry
Please don't take this wrong. Using a petroleum product on fiberglass scares me, unless the car has already acceptable paint. When I clean the underside of a corvette it is before I paint the car. I feel one should clean the underside of a corvette as if you are preparing it for paint. Keep all petroleum products and Silicones far away. Again, unless the corvette already has acceptable paint. Fiberglass can and will suck up whatever you spray on her. I have heard WD40 is water soluble. I would still never use it on a covette bare body. IMHO
Thanks
DG

[Garry B.]

Re: cleaning the underbody suggestions please

Dick, I should have been more specific. I have used it to clean the frame for the most part. I haven't experienced it effecting the bare glass on the underside, but I wipe it off fairly quickly so that it doesn't absorb. As for anything, test it to see if it gives you the result you want and then to proceed from there.
Garry

[Dan D.]

Re: cleaning the underbody suggestions please

Garry
Please don't take this wrong. Using a petroleum product on fiberglass scares me, unless the car has already acceptable paint. When I clean the underside of a corvette it is before I paint the car. I feel one should clean the underside of a corvette as if you are preparing it for paint. Keep all petroleum products and Silicones far away. Again, unless the corvette already has acceptable paint. Fiberglass can and will suck up whatever you spray on her. I have heard WD40 is water soluble. I would still never use it on a covette bare body. IMHO
Thanks
DG

WD-40 stands for Water Displacement - 40th attempt. So if it displaces water, does that mean it is water soluble? Don't know. -Dan-

[Dennis S.]

Re: cleaning the underbody suggestions please

If you have any undercoating that you want to remove, use a heat gun and dull putty knife first. I would suggest staying away from the strong automotive degreasers as they can mess with your paint and your skin. A commercial product called Spray9 is the best cleaner I found...may not be available in retail stores. It is easy on you, easy on the car, tough on grease and dirt. After scraping and/or brass-brushing the heavy areas, use Scotch Brite pads (package at Home Depot) that you can cut to size to suit the area you are working on. Goggles are a must, a cheap rain jacket/suit is optional. Rinse well. If you must, lacquer thinner on a rag can make for a final cleaning...but BE CAREFUL about any flames (like your gas water heater or dryer) and ventilate the garage extremely well. Try to think about how much fun you will have driving the car when it is all done!

[Paul J.]

Re: cleaning the underbody suggestions please

Garry
Please don't take this wrong. Using a petroleum product on fiberglass scares me, unless the car has already acceptable paint. When I clean the underside of a corvette it is before I paint the car. I feel one should clean the underside of a corvette as if you are preparing it for paint. Keep all petroleum products and Silicones far away. Again, unless the corvette already has acceptable paint. Fiberglass can and will suck up whatever you spray on her. I have heard WD40 is water soluble. I would still never use it on a covette bare body. IMHO
Thanks
DG

WD-40 contains petroleum distilates. It stands for Water Displacement formula number 40. It is not soluble in water. See the MSDS sheet below, Section 9.

http://www.wd40.com/files/pdf/msds-wd482671453.pdf

Why do all of these myths about WD-40 persist?

WD-40 has a lot of great uses, mostly for lubrication and rust protection, but there are many better solvents out there for cleaning.

Paul

[Richard T.]

Re: cleaning the underbody suggestions please

Mike: I use a power washer with simple green. Low pressure removes dirt with out removing the blackout or harming the fiberglass. Heavy plastic with a grease block ( two by four's ) on the drive way help prevent a big mess. Enjoy.