mrsullivan

I sent R. Laurie an email asking about this...as he seems to be the resident expert. My car will be on a lift for a few days and I would like to clean the undercarriage... I plan on using elbow grease, wire brush and rags, some 3M adhesive remover, etc. However, curious if anyone else has done this lately and has tips/tricks for process or products.

I dont expect my car to ever look like this, but it can certainly look better than it does today...First pic is mine taken today, second is Richard's (hope he doesnt mind me posting it off his website)... simply unbelievable the condition of his car...

CarmG993

Jonathan - your car is clean underneath, Richards is immaculate - is it driven?
I just had my car on a lift today, first chance to get to see the undercarriage and the likes of this one, and I was pretty impressed with how clean. It has the driven look but was much cleaner then expected. I too want to clean up a few areas and I would have to work long and hard to it near the second pic. I wouldn't want to drive it after that.

chris walrod

Be careful, once you start cleaning, its hard to stop!

For the fender wells, keep in mind there is paint under what grime you have. You fender wells dont look too bad at all.

Use watered down Castrol Super Clean. Get yourself a few rolls of paper towels. Dont use a wire brush, as you may break-down that paint. I use those wooden-handled nylon brushes, about the size of a tooth brush. It is a lot of work, but worth it, IMHO.

The cosmoline is a little tougher to get off. Laquer thinner really cuts-it, but again, pay attention what you use laquer thinner on, its pretty harsh.

Laurier's car is a major inspiration. I marvel at his pictures

Jeff96-993

Brake cleaner also gets the cosmoline off the metal parts... again, be careful with it.

texas911

Yours looks totally clean! Just give it a good wash down!

Ponchobroke

Jonathan, I would not use a wire brush... instead I would use a very stiff nylon brush and just a bit more elbow grease because of the paint under any grime you might have. My wheel wells started out a mess and about 1 hour per they were in great shape.
Good luck

Air Kuul TT

Sorry if I am the only one... what the hell is the cosmoline?

kkim

German idea of a very bad joke to cover up the beautiful aluminum pieces of the suspension. Actually, Tony, it's a nasty form of undercoating German cars have been using since the beginning of time. It looks like a waxy, brown substance on the suspension and undercarriage. The older it gets, the harder and tougher it seems to become.

Air Kuul TT

Ahh... Mahalo Kelly! I can sleep now and yes I have seen that on my car.

Feehliks

It is often recommended to steam wash the car underneath thoroughfully.

What you do afterwards depends on your philosophy:

Picture 2 requires much more work (the exhaust is polished! wow!) and this result would be gone after a certain time even under careful driving avoiding snow and salt. This car is a piece of candy ready for the museum or for car shows.

Your car looks already pretty good. In areas where it snows usually Tektyl-wax is recommended to protect the aluminim parts from corrosion. If you know for sure your car would never be exhibited to salt this shouldn't be necessary.

Best regards,

Felix

slapshot

Impressive gang. How can you drive your cars, yet keep that kind of detail up? That is amazing. Mr. S., if my undercarriage looked like yours, I would be quite pleased. Incredible. BTW, when cleaning the cosmoline and other stuff off, wear protective goggles or glasses. Ask me how I know!

Mark in Baltimore

I am the furthest thing from a concours guy, but I completely respect guys who want to make their P-cars perfectly pristine. Those pictures are impressive to see.

mrsullivan

Thanks for all the responses guys. my car is a daily driver, although i am usually out of town about 1/2 of any given week...however, it is still driven about 3-4 days per week. Admittedly it doesnt seen rain, snow, or other moisture very often, but I have been caught in unexpected rain a couple of times.

I really enjoy detailing my car. Not as much as driving it mind you, but I do enjoy trying hard to preserve its condition. My undercarriage right now is "dirty" compared to what I would like it to be. I know its all relative, and that it looks pretty clean in the posted picture. However, there are spots underneath with grime, grease, cosmoline, etc that I would like to clean up. Again, not hoping to look like Richard's, but aspire to something in between.

I have picked up some engine degreaser, general cleaner (Castrol), 3M adhesive remover, and nylon brush. Those things combined with some shop rags and water should do the trick I am hoping. I will post pictures when finished...

thanks again for the advice

Jastx

Richard has his exhaust jet-hot coated -- great idea! It should look like that for years to come.

Greg Fishman

I clean the underside of my race car before every season. I don't go crazy but some engine cleaner, simple green and a few scrub brushes do the trick. It is nice to work on a car without tons of grit and grime buildup.