Cleanest undercarriage
#1
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Car: 1989 formula
Engine: 350 l98
Transmission: 700R-4
Axle/Gears: 327
Cleanest undercarriage
looking to clean the underside of my car and was looming for inspiration on what to clean and how to pic are great
#2
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Car: "Nina" 1988 Trans Am GTA
Engine: TPI 305 V8
Transmission: T-5
Re: cleanist undercarriage
Not really cleaning, but if you want the ultimate undercarriage, undercoating seems to be the way to go. Check it out.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/hist...a-86-ta-2.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/hist...a-86-ta-2.html
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Car: 1989 formula
Engine: 350 l98
Transmission: 700R-4
Axle/Gears: 327
Re: cleanist undercarriage
I think thAT IS THE WAY I AM heading for just like to see how turned out and any other options
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Car: 89 IROC
Engine: LSX 6.0 370, TU2 Cam, Fast intake
Transmission: T56 w/ lots of goodies
Axle/Gears: 8.8, Posi, 4.10, 31 Spline
Re: cleanist undercarriage
I cleaned my underside up as there wasnt mush there to take off. Then I used about 8 cans of the rubberized rocker guard underneath and then 4 cans in the wheel wells. Never had a issue ever after that and easy clean up with a hose
#5
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Car: 91 R/S , 89 dodge p/u
Engine: L31 GM crate re-cammed , 318
Transmission: T-5 , 4 speed auto
Axle/Gears: 3.42 , ?
Re: cleanist undercarriage
to just CLEAN the underside of your car , nothing beats a 4 point lift & press. washer . i understand not everyone has access to both . i do and did the underside of my car . i have cleaned dirt & crud from PLACES that i never knew were PLACES . you WILL get wet , dirty & tired doing it . but , you will be very happy & may find items that require future attention . just my thoughts & experience . good luck .
#6
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Re: cleanist undercarriage
I prefer the look of whatever was original. In the case of my Camaro it looked to be some kind of e-coat in gray.
I used wax/grease remover and laquer thinner to remove as much of the undercoating that been applied previously. The I wire wheeled and sandblasted the underside. The whole works was sprayed with a self-etching enamel.
It's been a few years now and it still appears to be in very good shape.
Sandblasting tent
Before
During
I used wax/grease remover and laquer thinner to remove as much of the undercoating that been applied previously. The I wire wheeled and sandblasted the underside. The whole works was sprayed with a self-etching enamel.
It's been a few years now and it still appears to be in very good shape.
Sandblasting tent
Before
During
Last edited by skinny z; 03-16-2013 at 09:44 AM.
#7
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Re: cleanist undercarriage
After
Last edited by skinny z; 03-16-2013 at 09:46 AM.
Trending Topics
#9
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Car: 1988 IROC
Engine: L98
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3:27 9-bolt
Re: cleanist undercarriage
I just cleaned it, wire wheeled it, treated the rusty spots with rust encapsulator, primed it and gave it a coat of gray. It gives a nice contrast to the suspension components.
#10
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Re: cleanist undercarriage
Skinny Z,
I like your y-pipe set up. Ever have any problems with the torque arm hitting it?
Nice job, both of the car undersides above look great. When I get my GTA in the shop I am going to do the Lizard Skin on the underside. I helped a buddy do it to his truck and I am sold, it is good stuff. Made it quiter inside and cooler since it is also an insulation.
I like your y-pipe set up. Ever have any problems with the torque arm hitting it?
Nice job, both of the car undersides above look great. When I get my GTA in the shop I am going to do the Lizard Skin on the underside. I helped a buddy do it to his truck and I am sold, it is good stuff. Made it quiter inside and cooler since it is also an insulation.
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Car: '87 IROC-Z/28
Engine: 357 HSR
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 3:73 w/Eaton Posi
Re: cleanist undercarriage
i used kerosene, degreaser and brakekleen. then wire wheeled the rust (hardly any) to bare metal. then brushed and rolled a few coats of Hurculiner. very easy to touch up and can spray it down with a pressure washer.
#13
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Re: cleanist undercarriage
Just took a scrub brush and simple green to it. Then put on a layer of wax.
#14
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Re: cleanist undercarriage
What I did find out that a UMI torque arm, a Dana 44 rear axle and lowering the car about 2" causes some problems. On the cars first trip with the new suspension bits, the torque arm punched a hole in the floor right above the differential mount. Ouch!
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Car: 2012 F350 lariot/1991 Camaro RS
Engine: Powerstroke/6.0
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Car: 89 GTA/90 Iroc Vert
Engine: 5.7/5.0L
Transmission: 700R4 x 2
Axle/Gears: 3.27/2.73
Re: cleanist undercarriage
I have a powerwasher and a garage, just no lift. Saw a Atlas "blemished" 9000 lb 4 point for $1395 in DE. It would fit in my garage, would have to take the door operator off.
That actually would be a good business proposition/adventure.
Rental units with lifts ? but I'm sure the environmental issues would be a challenge, not to mention liability insurance.
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-9KOH-Blemished
That actually would be a good business proposition/adventure.
Rental units with lifts ? but I'm sure the environmental issues would be a challenge, not to mention liability insurance.
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-9KOH-Blemished
#21
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Re: cleanist undercarriage
Here's mine. It used to have Rusty Jones beeswax based undercoating. GUNK gel engine degreaser and a pressure washer worked wonders. In this pic, you can see the tarp that I used to catch all the crap that dripped off the car. I have a brick driveway and chemicals mixed with beeswax don't bid well on bricks.
#24
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Re: cleanist undercarriage
would you stand under a chinese made lift? I wouldn't
http://www.made-in-china.com/product...Post_Lift.html
http://www.made-in-china.com/product...Post_Lift.html
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Re: cleanist undercarriage
Well my plan was to get my car running again due to fuel and clutch issue but it turned out to be a cleaning and painting of the undercarriage as well as suspension work! Thanks to Jupiter's work on his car, I went with a matte black finish paint after cleaning. Seems to coat very well! Still have a ways to go but it's coming along. I'll have more pics on my thread once I get some more done.
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Car: 02wrx/88 rs
Engine: 2.0L turbo/nothing yet!
Transmission: 4eat/waiting on a t56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: cleanist undercarriage
first the disclaimer. i do not have a nice lift,garage,spray gun. to do an extremely well undercoat job. i did not do bed liner because the rust was not bad(none really) to begin with and i do not plan on driving it everyday. this was a primer/topcoat for ease of installation. it was brushed on and was very time consuming. there are a few missed spots, runs and brush drag. but i still feel like it came out very well. things are not done completely and i have components that will be installed but for the meantime....
before:
after:
this is what i used:
before:
after:
this is what i used:
#33
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Re: cleanist undercarriage
Does look good but IMO it would have been a lot better in black... I still don't understand the fascination with bright red parts under a car (or any other bright color for that matter) Me, I would stick with black, gray or titanium color or whatever.
#38
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Car: 1985 IROC-Z
Engine: 355
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42 10 Bolt Posi
Re: cleanist undercarriage
bright red, chrome, blue...they are known to be aftermarket and they are flashy. No one sticks their head under and says ooo is that stock. They know its aftermarket.
I prefer black as well, but colored parts don't look bad. Just a little to flashy for me. Different strokes for different folks is right.
I prefer black as well, but colored parts don't look bad. Just a little to flashy for me. Different strokes for different folks is right.
#39
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Car: 91 Z28, 87 SC, 90 IROC, 92 RS
Engine: LS1, 305 TPI, L98, NADA
Transmission: T56, 700r4's, and NADA
Axle/Gears: 3.89, 3.42, 3.23, NADA
Re: cleanist undercarriage
I know mine is not the cleanest on the boards, but its pretty clean.
I had mine up on the hoist to put my rear end back together, and install my AGR gear box and astro shaft, then decided to pull my exhaust down and spray it high temp black... What do you think of the black pipes?
Crappy cell phone pics
I had mine up on the hoist to put my rear end back together, and install my AGR gear box and astro shaft, then decided to pull my exhaust down and spray it high temp black... What do you think of the black pipes?
Crappy cell phone pics
#40
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Re: cleanist undercarriage
Unfortunately, my torque arm (a UMI peice) was only available in red but seeing as it was the best deal at the time, and as good as any other, I went with it. The rest is black, gray and a little cad plating.
#41
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Re: cleanist undercarriage
Looks pretty good actually. I've always preferred my headers in black and it's interesting to see the idea extended.
Hmm...is there a theme here for COTM, Mr. Editor?
Just kidding... but you have to admit there's a lot of effort put into the underside of these vehicles. They remind me of the models I built as a kid (and still do with my grandsons) but in full scale.
Hmm...is there a theme here for COTM, Mr. Editor?
Just kidding... but you have to admit there's a lot of effort put into the underside of these vehicles. They remind me of the models I built as a kid (and still do with my grandsons) but in full scale.
#42
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Re: cleanist undercarriage
I'm in agreement with you on that one although I can understand why the UMI project car is so brightly feathered. It's plain to see what's be added. Put it all in black and there's no advertising angle for them.
Unfortunately, my torque arm (a UMI peice) was only available in red but seeing as it was the best deal at the time, and as good as any other, I went with it. The rest is black, gray and a little cad plating.
Unfortunately, my torque arm (a UMI peice) was only available in red but seeing as it was the best deal at the time, and as good as any other, I went with it. The rest is black, gray and a little cad plating.
That's why I always have everything blasted and powdercoated agai. That's my biggest compaint with all these items and it doesn't matter if it's BMR, Alston, UMI, MAC, SPOHN or whatever brand, they all seem to apply a thin bit of powdercoiating directly on bare metal with milling scale still on it., My coater blasts to a coarse finish, pre heats the part and hot coats a primer coat and a high quality top coat that will withstand wet and salty weather conditions. All of the parts that I ever uised as is did start to rust after some time.
#43
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Car: 02wrx/88 rs
Engine: 2.0L turbo/nothing yet!
Transmission: 4eat/waiting on a t56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: cleanist undercarriage
I would rather have the bright colors because the suspension is what I'm trying to show off. I really like the black pipes, that is what I planned on
#44
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Car: 1988 IROC
Engine: L98
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3:27 9-bolt
Re: cleanist undercarriage
first the disclaimer. i do not have a nice lift,garage,spray gun. to do an extremely well undercoat job. i did not do bed liner because the rust was not bad(none really) to begin with and i do not plan on driving it everyday. this was a primer/topcoat for ease of installation. it was brushed on and was very time consuming. there are a few missed spots, runs and brush drag. but i still feel like it came out very well. things are not done completely and i have components that will be installed but for the meantime....
#45
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Car: 1988 IROC
Engine: L98
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3:27 9-bolt
Re: cleanist undercarriage
I know mine is not the cleanest on the boards, but its pretty clean.
I had mine up on the hoist to put my rear end back together, and install my AGR gear box and astro shaft, then decided to pull my exhaust down and spray it high temp black... What do you think of the black pipes?
I had mine up on the hoist to put my rear end back together, and install my AGR gear box and astro shaft, then decided to pull my exhaust down and spray it high temp black... What do you think of the black pipes?
#46
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Car: 91 Z28, 87 SC, 90 IROC, 92 RS
Engine: LS1, 305 TPI, L98, NADA
Transmission: T56, 700r4's, and NADA
Axle/Gears: 3.89, 3.42, 3.23, NADA
Re: cleanist undercarriage
#48
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Car: 91 Z28, 87 SC, 90 IROC, 92 RS
Engine: LS1, 305 TPI, L98, NADA
Transmission: T56, 700r4's, and NADA
Axle/Gears: 3.89, 3.42, 3.23, NADA
Re: cleanist undercarriage
Here's mine. It used to have Rusty Jones beeswax based undercoating. GUNK gel engine degreaser and a pressure washer worked wonders. In this pic, you can see the tarp that I used to catch all the crap that dripped off the car. I have a brick driveway and chemicals mixed with beeswax don't bid well on bricks.
#49
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Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
Engine: LB9. Dual Cats. Big Cam
Transmission: World Class T-5
Axle/Gears: BW 3.45
Re: cleanist undercarriage
Here's mine. It used to have Rusty Jones beeswax based undercoating. GUNK gel engine degreaser and a pressure washer worked wonders. In this pic, you can see the tarp that I used to catch all the crap that dripped off the car. I have a brick driveway and chemicals mixed with beeswax don't bid well on bricks.
Looking good, Scott. That Gunk Gel is pretty rough on asphalt driveways too. I did a test spot on one of the cars and it worked. However the drips softened a spot on my driveway. It took a couple days for it to solidify gain.
#50
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Re: Cleanest undercarriage
sorry I had missed that one!
would love to see more of that!
I think these are pretty close
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-Pontiac-Firebird-Formula-350-Only-5-305-Original-Miles-Very-Rare-Loaded-/111035927029?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item19da41c9f5
just looking for perfect from factory undercarriage pics.
Mine is very similar to the formula so I think the surface rust I have is in all the right places.
Trying to touch up my undercarriage as I have a bit more miles.
would love to see more of that!
I think these are pretty close
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-Pontiac-Firebird-Formula-350-Only-5-305-Original-Miles-Very-Rare-Loaded-/111035927029?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item19da41c9f5
just looking for perfect from factory undercarriage pics.
Mine is very similar to the formula so I think the surface rust I have is in all the right places.
Trying to touch up my undercarriage as I have a bit more miles.