Cleaning the underside

[Clark Griswald]

Today I decided to clean up the underside of Sparky. Not concourse stuff, just wanted it to look a bit cleaner and be easier to work on.

Here is a couple of before pictures:



You can see it is not horrible, but grimy enough to make working on it a dirty job. The rear was about the same.

So I put it up on jack stands to get a little more working space. I used Simply Green, the biogradable degreaser. Had to be biodegradable since I did this in my driveway.

After spraying the degreaser liberally, and waiting a few minutes, I hit it with a pressure washer. It would have been nice if it was up higher to make it easier to get under and work the washer nozzle, but it wasn't too bad. Good thing it was a hot day in San Jose, because you get good and wet crawling under with the pressure washer.

I let it dry, then repeated the degrease/wash steps. I did the engine, trans, front suspension, wheel wells. Here is an after picture of the front suspension:



The results are pretty dramatic. Not spotless show car, but clean. The wheel wells really cleaned up. I thought they had black undercoating on them, turns out it was just road grime. Definitely will be easier to work on.

Took a couple hours, all in.

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Chuck Moreland '86 Cab - "Sparky", '77 Targa - "Sweet Pea"

[This message has been edited by Clark Griswald (edited 06-17-2001).]

[dw]

Clark,
Looks good! Since the episode with the broken sway bar mount I want to clean mine up as well so as to detect any sort of wear problems a little easier.

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DW

89 Targa

[poorsche]

I'm salivating with all those exposed nuts and bolts. Great job! Now I know what I'll be doing this weekend.

Joseph
'86 T-look

[Obin Robinson]

Clark,

great job!!! how many PSI was the pressure washer? i was thinking of doing the same.

thanks!

obin

[Clark Griswald]

I think the pressure washer is 1000 psi (if memory serves). Which is pretty weak as pressure washers go.

I bought it years ago, comes in handy now and again. You could rent one or go to a jet spray car wash place. If you go to a public place though, be sure to go during off hours since it takes a while to get up on jack stands and all. You do want it up on stands to let the suspension hang down for easier access.

[Obin Robinson]

ok, thanks! i am going to rent a pressure washer when i do the underside of my 924 and i relocate the fuel and brake lines.

thanks again!

obin