Would you do this?
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Diablos-666

Original Poster:

2,786 posts

207 months

Monday 7th February 2011
quotequote all
After looking at all the pretty pics courtesy of GVarley and Clive's under carriage i'm keen to clean and protect my chassis.

However, my garage is tiny so would have to jack the car up on my drive. I won't be able to clean/paint the chassis in one day so am thinking of leaving it on axle stands on the drive over about a week.

Is this just asking for trouble though? I don't exactly live in the nicest part of the country either.




Targarama

14,782 posts

312 months

Monday 7th February 2011
quotequote all
I would find a garage to rent. You're asking for trouble from feril kids IMO.

Or just don't bother, all this polishing is a bit too much for most people. The car isn't going to fall to bits.

Zippee

14,125 posts

263 months

Monday 7th February 2011
quotequote all
Targarama said:
Or just don't bother, all this polishing is a bit too much for most people. The car isn't going to fall to bits.
+1

duff-man

634 posts

235 months

Monday 7th February 2011
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Depends on the road, if you have gates and another car to park behind it. As already said though, I'd rather have it locked away.

I think it is necessary to clean the underneath, maybe not to the extent of polishing every nut and bolt, but removing grime, definitely.

Having seen the dirt under mine and the way the older Chim and Griff outriggers end up I think it's worth a couple of hours on your back.

Below are couple of pictures from under mine:










Edited by duff-man on Monday 7th February 17:42

glow worm

7,425 posts

256 months

Monday 7th February 2011
quotequote all
I think looking at a cheap jackup ramp type solution might be best.. Work on it on the drive, then put it back to bed at night smile .

Don1

16,794 posts

237 months

Monday 7th February 2011
quotequote all
Have a chat with someone at a haulage yard - they tend to have pits with washing facilities. Just make sure you do it on a sunny day!

Diablos-666

Original Poster:

2,786 posts

207 months

Monday 7th February 2011
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice guys. Still non the wiser really though.

I think leaving the car jacked up overnight for a week in a not too nice area with pikey / chav prying eyes around isn't a great idea.

I just didn't want the hassle of driving from the garage to the drive and jacking up every night to do some cleaning.

My mate works at a garage and could use his ramps on a Saturday morning but I'm normally busy on Saturday's and wouldnt get much done in a morning.

Hmmm

That car ramp is quite interesting although wouldn't be able to take the wheel off to get to all the suspension parts.

clive f

7,259 posts

262 months

Monday 7th February 2011
quotequote all
why not just get the car out, jack it up and do one corner at a time, it only needs a clean up and check over to keep it up together.

zeppo

255 posts

219 months

Monday 7th February 2011
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YRRunner

1,652 posts

245 months

Monday 7th February 2011
quotequote all
zeppo said:
Ok, you've piqued my interest. What is involved in this process?

zeppo

255 posts

219 months

Monday 7th February 2011
quotequote all
I cant say it excatly, it's something like sand blasting, but with dry ice. It's possible to clean everthing(engine, hoses,...), except painted things.

Chassis and engine cleaning is around 500.-€ (in germany)
it's possible to protect the frame after cleaning, but don't know the price...

Edited by zeppo on Monday 7th February 19:25

slimtater

1,035 posts

199 months

Monday 7th February 2011
quotequote all
clive f said:
why not just get the car out, jack it up and do one corner at a time, it only needs a clean up and check over to keep it up together.
I did that and only takes a couple of hours. Cheap (hence low) pressure washer, bit of Muck-off off type cleaner and the results are just fine. My drive is on a slope with a drain at the bottom so when you jack up the back end, you will be amazed how much of the underside you can do (T350 as well).

LeeT350c

575 posts

210 months

Tuesday 8th February 2011
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slimtater said:
I did that and only takes a couple of hours. Cheap (hence low) pressure washer, bit of Muck-off off type cleaner and the results are just fine. My drive is on a slope with a drain at the bottom so when you jack up the back end, you will be amazed how much of the underside you can do (T350 as well).
Ditto this. Takes approx 2 hours per corner. I used Gunk Green, a cheap 50p dish wash brush and a non scratch pad and a lot of elbow grease. No jet wash just hose pipe to rinse. Its good to do it so you can see any chips or rust and deal with it.

I have since repainted under the arches and next job is to touch up some paint and swap the tie wraps holding the handbrake cable for double head ones so it doesn't rub any more.

1st corner done.







Diablos-666

Original Poster:

2,786 posts

207 months

Tuesday 8th February 2011
quotequote all
Very nice! looks like that's the way forward for me then.

Still searching around for the right jack at the moment. Went to halfords at the weekend and they had a 1.5ton one for ~£30/40.

Wasn't sure if it'll fit unserneath though.

LeeT350c

575 posts

210 months

Tuesday 8th February 2011
quotequote all
Diablos-666 said:
Very nice! looks like that's the way forward for me then.

Still searching around for the right jack at the moment. Went to halfords at the weekend and they had a 1.5ton one for ~£30/40.

Wasn't sure if it'll fit unserneath though.
I have a workshop jack that wont fit straight under. I drive the car onto a bit of 6 x 2" timber and hey presto! Cheap and effective.



YRRunner

1,652 posts

245 months

Tuesday 8th February 2011
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As per another post, I believe Costco are selling a particularly good, low profile jack at the moment. Not sure of the price but will be there in the next couple of days so will report back.

Diablos-666

Original Poster:

2,786 posts

207 months

Wednesday 9th February 2011
quotequote all
Been on Halfrauds website and seen they have a 2 ton trolley jack, axle stands, wheel blocks and a creeper thing for £60.

It has a pretty good review so will probably buy this one. It doesnt need to be state of the art as i'll only be doing very minor stuff.

nightSpirit

1,057 posts

197 months

Wednesday 9th February 2011
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I got my 1.5 tonne alloy low jack (Clarke) from Machine Mart...was a bit expensive at around £100 but it gets under any car I've got and is easy to use.

I just can't bring myself to clean under car components, it'll get dirty in no time and if you don't use the car when the gritters are out (or it's raining) I don't see the point?

I only clean parts that I work on as a rule, hoping I never have to do much un the arches apart from fitting these blasted HID's I bought whilst on the beer the other day frown

Diablos-666

Original Poster:

2,786 posts

207 months

Wednesday 9th February 2011
quotequote all
Well this is my only car so drive it in all weather. She was out a few times over Xmas.

Plus I too have upgraded bulbs that I need to fit.

I don't mind getting my hands dirty (he says now)

Targarama

14,782 posts

312 months

Wednesday 9th February 2011
quotequote all
Diablos-666 said:
Well this is my only car so drive it in all weather. She was out a few times over Xmas.

Plus I too have upgraded bulbs that I need to fit.

I don't mind getting my hands dirty (he says now)
I thought you were getting Jasons team to fit the bulbs? I might try some in the spring when vie got time to fiddle.