Yearly spring clean under car - what do you use?

[jazzdude]

Got the car up in the air on high axle stands and its time for a clean. Looks like some oil has leaked from the oil filter too and there is now oil going back to the diff.

The chassis and wishbones that I refurbed last year also need a clean, as there is road grime and bits of oil all over it. (I didnt cover it with waxoyl, it is bare Rustoleum).

What's the best way to get it all looking like it did last year when I finished my resto? Brushed on white spirit then wipe it off? Or spray over everything in a gunk type degreaser and then pressure wash it off?

Any good time and 'muck all over me' saving tips will be most welcome.

[Brithunter]

Not done a TVR but oil and grease needs a degreaser to move it. Have used both spray on and brush on types with good results. A pressure washer soem ahve degergent applicators that spray a foam on and those should work after the normal degreaser then hose off with clean water then allow to drain and dry before inspecting and treating or covering any areas that need attention.

Works with the underneath of the MG's although I don't have the foaming spray applicator. Just used some spray degreaser and a paint brush to clean this mess up:-



Much better:-



Then after cleaning off rust and treating it :-



Plus new bushes. Not a TVR of course ............................ just my MGF under going TLC but the idea is the same.

[jesfirth]

I find a small child is best for cleaning under cars (-:

[s p a c e m a n]

I did mine before I took it apart last year. Degreaser with a spray bottle, washing up scrub brush thing and a jetwash. I had to get some wax oil off of mine, soaked a rag in degreaser, wrapped it around the part, left it overnight and it flew off with the jetwash. Mine was disgusting after the sump nut fell off whilst I was driving a couple of years ago, a good couple of litres was sprayed back as I coasted to a stop and it only took me 2 goes to get the underneath immaculate this way. If you can hook your jetwash up to the hot water tap it will be 10 times easier

[davetripletvr]

I find white spirit to be a good degreaser as well as getting rid of the road dirt

[N7GTX]

Petrol is good but comes with associated dangers. Mr Muscle Oven cleaner does a very good job.

[fausTVR]

Each winter I put the Chim up on stands and go at the underside with a can of spray oil (gt85 / wd40 etc.) and old rags. I don't run the car in winter and I'd say it has never been, so decent condition is easy to keep on top of. I know what the majority say on here about keep running the car through the year but I know what salt will do.

[Brithunter]

Road salt and wet mud clinging one keeping parts wet sure do not help the cars underpinnings so can see where your coming from. Also understand that cars like to be used and parts move as designed to keep them free and easy. Bit of a rock and hard place decision.

Anyway would just like to say:-

Dammned that is clean and pristine under there ... that would be almost impossible to achieve here there is so much mud on the roads that the slightest bit of damp brings it up to the top again. Just a trip into the village shop would have that covered in a flim of mud spray unless the road was totally dry like mid summer with no rain for weeks dry.

Edited by Brithunter on Thursday 26th January 13:51

[ClassicChimaera]

It's only really the front wheels spraying water and crud up and back,, hence outrigger issues but the main frame stays relatively dry, oil from the engine protects the hell out of it anyway.

The driving through winter thing,,, if you choose your days carefully avoiding the worst weeks,,, such as right now
You can still use it and keep it nice and clean.

As for chassis cleaning products,, petrol and white spirit. Not PC but it works.

Gunk,,, just cos I like the smell

[Milky400]

Did mine in the autumn with white spirit. Worked extremely well. Stay away from anything that remotely acid based like those awful old alloy wheel cleaners. There was a mention of oven cleaner.. check ingredients and if it ok make sure you're in a well ventilated area..