Detailing under the car - Question

[zr123]

Hey guys,

Just a question... how do I detail/clean under the car? I've attached a pic of which portion I mean. Anyway to "dress" it?

Thanks!

[Jonesey]

I either pressure wash or scrub (or both) the loose dirt off, then use spray on tire cleaner followed by spray on tire dressing. (The NXT line) Works great and really finishes the job off.

Right now the rest of your car looks GREAT, but my eyes keep getting drawn to the mud.

Glenn

[Murr1525]

I spray in some All Purpose Cleaner with the foaming spray head (DO NOT USE SIMPLE GREEN), let it sit, agitate some, etc, then rinse off.

I come back after detailing car and spray in some All Season Dressing, and spread it around with a foam paint brush.

[Brian Catalano]

You want to really restore the 4 corners of your ride?

Take off each wheel, clean the inside and back of each wheel with APC, then scrub the fender liner, frame and all suspension components with APC (not just the visible ones! 8-). Follow up with a liberal dosage of Tech Protect, then torque the wheels back on to the Mfg recommended spec.

It will look like a new car.

Brian

[Pete-FWA]

Something I found to last even longer was cleaning these areas, then spraying with a black paint. We used a chassis black paint through a spray gun, but good aerosol spray cans will do the job.

This makes maintaining the look much easier than just applying tire dressing. Overspray is the only enemy in this situation, but aplied properly, one can avoid problems.

[Brian Catalano]

Eeeek! You're kidding, right? Please tell me you're kidding. Even if you're not, please tell me you are.

Brian

[imacarnut]

the way i clean in the wheel wells is... turn the tires in the left direction when it's parked, as it will be easier to get inside and do a thorough job. i then use a wet sponge with car soap, rinse, and then spray hyper dressing and walk away..... done.

[Pete-FWA]

Why does this bother you? I take it you've not done this before.

My suggestion is an oversimplification of the process. I would be glad to explain in detail if you're interested.

[WaspHunter]

If you're just cleaning, then turning the wheels imacarnut's way should be fine.

I agree with Pete-FWA, it's sometimes done on show cars (pot belly black also works if you only have a brush). Much cheaper than the dedicated one-piece guard/wheel well combos.

[electricgreen]

The flat black paint works better on older cars that have metal fender aprons exposed, vs newer cars with the plastic "wheel wells". On my '00 stang, I use QD & a towel to clean, then Tech protectant to shine. If you do take your wheels off to do this, take the opportunity to clean up the inside of your rims!!

[JG_Detailing]

You can use a tire brush on it first. The use a tire cleaner on it. That is what I use on it. It give's it a nice shine and clean look to it.

[Jonesey]

The other thing to do is spray the wheel wells with a black undercoating product. CDN Tire sells a couple different brands. I touch up mine in the spring when I'm rotating the tires. Works with metal and plastic wheel wells. (make sure you mask off well and don't do on a windy day- trust me on this one )

[F-150]

Rinse off anly loose dirt
Spray Safe D-Greaser (let sit for 30 seconds)
Agitate w/ brush
Rinse
Let Dry
Mist Hyper Dressing

I get great results with this btw.

[zr123]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions... aside from the spraying paint and removing the wheels to clean suggestions, I'm going to give the car a wash and follow your recommendations sometime later on. The weather is sort of ugly right now, otherwise I'd be out there.

Thanks again!

[Michael Stoops]

Originally posted by Pete-FWA
Something I found to last even longer was cleaning these areas, then spraying with a black paint. We used a chassis black paint through a spray gun, but good aerosol spray cans will do the job.

This makes maintaining the look much easier than just applying tire dressing. Overspray is the only enemy in this situation, but aplied properly, one can avoid problems.

I'm sure the source of Brian's horror comes from the thought of doing this to the plastic wheel well liners on newer cars. Back in the '70s we used to do this all the time, but the newer the car, the more plastic there is up in the wheel wells. My '92 Camaro has some, my '99 Miata has more, my '04 PT Cruiser is loaded with it. The thought of spraying paint over that isn't real appealing, and a quick scrub and Armor All works wonders.

I do have fond memories of doing Pete's process to cars a long time ago though, so don't be too freaked out Brian!!