How to Clean the Undercarriage of a Car

Most people focus on the exterior of their cars when they wash them. It’s routine to start with the roof and work your way down to the bottom car trim. However, car owners tend to forget about underneath the vehicle. Knowing how to clean the undercarriage of a car is important for the overall maintenance.

Before You Proceed

Check the Condition

If your car is relatively new, it’s unlikely that the undercarriage will need to be done. Unless you travel frequently or drove in poor conditions, it should be clean. However, over time your vehicle will collect dirt and debris from the roads that stick to the bottom. The easiest way to determine whether you need to wash it is to take a flashlight and lay down by the car. Use the flashlight to check the amount of dirt.

Preparation

One of the main tools you will need to clean the undercarriage – pressure washer. The strength of the equipment allows you to remove the debris easier. Grabbing a brush and solution is an option as well for any tough stains that might not come out. Additionally, you will need car jacks.

How to Clean the Undercarriage of a Car – Step-by-Step Guide

• Step 1

Lifting the car high enough to work on it is the first step in completing this task. If you have a lifted truck, this step can be skipped! However, others need to use car jacks to expose the underside of the vehicles. Some people suggest removing the wheels as well but it is completely optional. The condition of the undercarriage determines whether you need to do that.

• Step 2

Grab the pressure washer and start from the front of the vehicle and work your way down. Section off the car and spray it in sections, that way you don’t miss anything. Most of the time, holding the wand at a 45-degree angle works effectively, but this might be difficult for this task. If you are able, this helps to remove more debris.

• Step 3

Normally, the pressure washer eliminates all the debris under the vehicle. However, if the undercarriage is extremely dirty, it fails to remove everything. The brush and a strong cleaner should remove the tough stains. It’s best to spray the solution on the remaining dirt and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, scrub it with a brush.

• Step 4

If you had to complete the third step and use cleaner, spray down the entire undercarriage with the pressure washer a second time. This will remove any remaining solution, as well as, allow you to see if the dirt was removed.

Finalizing

While the car is lifted, it might be a good idea to add a protectant to the metal. This can help protect against any damage that moisture or dirt might cause. Additionally, it will keep it clean for a longer period of time.

Knowing how to clean the undercarriage of a car is important, but can be a daunting task. If this seems too difficult, consider taking it to a professional. Fresh Car Detailing, an eco-friendly, mobile auto detailing company specializes in undercarriage cleaning and other areas. They have the proper equipment and tools to thoroughly clean your vehicle.