Pressure Washing the Belly - Things to Consider

[SleekFJ62]

I have use of a pressure washer for another week or so. I'd like to pressure wash the undercarriage and frame of my 62. Anything I should consider before doing so? Should I take special measures to protect anything in particular?
Now soliciting questions, comments, and general input. Thanks!

 

[brokenparts]

wash away!

 

[zcruiser]

The breathers for the axles are up at the top of the wheels, so just don't spray into them if you can help it.

I would also avoid high pressure at the knuckles, no need in forcing water in there.

 

[archie]

If you got a sprinkler put it under the truck before you pressure wash it. It will soften the dried on dirt. You might not need to pressure wash it after that, just use a hose with regular water pressure.

 

[Wile E Coyote]

Protect yerself...mainly your eyes. Plan on getting soaked, and don't do it in your own driveway (read lots of heavy grease globs that don't wash away, but stick and leave a stain that you then have to pressure wash away, that then leaves a clean spot, that then forces you to wash the entire driveway, that then leaves a few new chunks of 'crete missing from geting too close with the wand, that then leads to....... ) I think you got the picture.

Try to get some ramps to get the front end up, and keep the high pressure outta the top of the engine bay.

 

[Tinker]

You're not going to hurt anything in the engine bay except the dizzy. Don't squirt directly at it. If you have a compressor, take the cap off & blow it out. If not, use a rag or paper towel.

 

[zcruiser]

Plan on getting soaked, and don't do it in your own driveway (read lots of heavy grease globs that don't wash away, but stick and leave a stain that you then have to pressure wash away, that then leaves a clean spot, that then forces you to wash the entire driveway, that then leaves a few new chunks of 'crete missing from geting too close with the wand, that then leads to....... ) I think you got the picture.

LOL, too funny! I was thinking the same thing, so just took it to one of the carwash places and let them deal with the gunk.

 

[89s rule]

Try to get some ramps to get the front end up, and keep the high pressure outta the top of the engine bay.

I am almost certain ramps would not be needed unless your 60/62 is lowered. I need to do this with a bottle of simple green. Get rid of some grease and grime!

Maybe after our club trip the end of this month I can get around to it.

 

[SleekFJ62]

Thanks for the input everybody! I'm planning to wash the belly this weekend.
Hope you all had a great 4th!

 

[hammer1]

what? you gonna wash all the rust preventor off!?

 

[loeky]

If you got a sprinkler put it under the truck before you pressure wash it. It will soften the dried on dirt. You might not need to pressure wash it after that, just use a hose with regular water pressure.

damn, that's a good idea.

 

[zcruiser]

damn, that's a good idea.

Not if it's GREASE!

 

[loeky]

Not if it's GREASE!

my truck actually has a ton of caked on dirt from it's previous life on a farm. the soak will do it well.

 

[SleekFJ62]

My primary intent is to get the seedy underbelly as clean as possible so I can attach my Beedon Sliders to a clean frame. I figure I'll clean the rest of the belly while I'm under there.
I will likely re-apply some "rust preventer" once I get 'er clean...

 

[webelk6]

cleaner

I have use of a pressure washer for another week or so. I'd like to pressure wash the undercarriage and frame of my 62. Anything I should consider before doing so? Should I take special measures to protect anything in particular?
Now soliciting questions, comments, and general input. Thanks!

You might want to use a degreaser, if your machine has a chemical injector on it. It cuts your time in 1/2, and you don't have to "burn" on your undercarriage

 

[Wile E Coyote]

I am almost certain ramps would not be needed unless your 60/62 is lowered.

Well, then you've never thoroughly pressure washed a vehicle then have you? Getting the spray to go nearly 90 degrees from the angle of the wand and aim directly at the underside of the body is hard to do with a 3 ft wand and the truck perpendicular to the ground. On ramps, it decreases the angle, allowing more access with the long wand. If you have a cheaper washer, you can take a section out of the wand and make it shorter. The 'big boy' washers I see don't have sectioned wands.

My $0.02

 

[CardinalFJ60]

Simple Green - Rust Accelerator?

OK...could be a "tall tale", but I think I've threads either here or another Cruiser Board recommend against using Simple green on the body, etc...rust accelerator?? Anyone else with more info than just here-say?

Back on topic...I use the sprinkler method then regular hose after wheelin. I have a low-end pressure washer (1600psi) and have hit it few times underneath as well - no ill affects at all.

HTH

 

[srplus]

be careful what solvent / miracle cleaner you use!

not just rust... some of the degreasers have agents in them that will flatten and discolor your paint. i had a cruiser with all of the paint in the engine compartment ruined by an over zealous detail shop employee who sprayed something in there before pressure washing. The paint got all spotted and streaked where they sprayed the 'cleaning agent' full strength on the paint before cleaning. the owner of the shop said: 'it doesn't matter. you wanted it clean. didn't you? it looked like that under the dirt.' hard to prove him wrong but every time i opened the hood i just got madder and madder.

just be careful… try a little of cleaner you think you might use on a SMALL spot where the paint can not be seen. if it discolors it - find something else. once the paint is damaged there is no bringing it back. been there. done that. the trade name "Greased Lightening" that can be bought in a spray bottle (excellent degreaser) or by the gallon is a perfect example of one of these cleaners that can ruin paint. Read directions AND precautions and then proceed carefully.

 

[zcruiser]

my truck actually has a ton of caked on dirt from it's previous life on a farm. the soak will do it well.

Good point, my truck is way too "citified". I can see how the sprinkler would work well after wheelin' too.

Farm life also brings to mind more damaging natural substances than just plain old "dirt"!