Cleaning the underside of the car

Matticus91 · 02-14-2019, 11:47 AM

For those of us that can't eat off of their suspension components, looking at you Suprgnat lol...

Curious what your solutions are for washing the underside of the car after salt/dirt/etc.

I'm thinking of concocting a mix of dish soap and stronger car soap and foam-gunning the bottom with the car lifted and the wheels off the car, and then getting busy with a soft brush/stiff brush depending on what I'm scrubbing.

gjm120 · 02-14-2019, 01:04 PM

might be easier to move somewhere with better weather.

Matticus91 · 02-14-2019, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjm120

might be easier to move somewhere with better weather.

Yes perfect solution thanks lol

Esteban · 02-14-2019, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matticus91

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjm120

might be easier to move somewhere with better weather.

Yes perfect solution thanks lol

I have an extra room for you and Mrs. Matticus91, plus a yard for Apollo and the pup (can't remember her name).

Whoops... forgot about my cat. She wouldn't approve. lol

Matticus91 · 02-14-2019, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esteban

I have an extra room for you and Mrs. Matticus91, plus a yard for Apollo and the pup (can't remember her name).

Whoops... forgot about my cat. She wouldn't approve. lol

Hahaha wife wouldn't approve of the cat either, very allergic haha guess we'd have to sleep in the garage with the cars... "oohh weelllllll" lol

1and1 · 02-14-2019, 01:56 PM

Weeeelllllllllll, I mean, you know, if we're offering

I do have a standing offer on your wheels- they still look terrible on your car, but would look fabulous on mine. And cause I'm such a nice guy you can send the dogs and wife too....

What's that dear?....
really? You're sure about that then? Cause she coul....

((sigh)) Yes Dear.... Of course Dear... Only you Dear...

Yes, so, the dogs, they are welcome anytime! Fuzzy little Samou...Samoy...Samu.... Sam- Fuzzy little snowballs!

printerror · 02-14-2019, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matticus91

Yes perfect solution thanks lol

That's what I did. Moved from Herndon VA back down to Florida. Doesn't snow here.

1and1 · 02-14-2019, 02:10 PM

As a long term FL guy, they're not wrong...

FWIW, I don't know of an "easy" way to properly do the undercarriage- up in the air, wheels off, under tray panels off, goggles on, get after it.... As usual, beware the wiring/electronics. Good ol' fashioned work.

iminhell1 · 02-14-2019, 02:28 PM

Speaking of fuzzy dogs ...

Lather them up and toss treats under the car.

iminhell1 · 02-14-2019, 02:30 PM

For mine, Come Spring I'll pull all the under panels and just give it a wash down at the car wash.
Besides all the holes in the subframes I haven't found a spot that yuck collects and is a problem.
And really, the first good rain will wash the underside anyways.

Esteban · 02-14-2019, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iminhell1

Speaking of fuzzy dogs ...

Lather them up and toss treats under the car.

Hahaha, best advice yet!

NorthernDancer · 02-14-2019, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iminhell1

For mine, Come Spring I'll pull all the under panels and just give it a wash down at the car wash.
Besides all the holes in the subframes I haven't found a spot that yuck collects and is a problem.
And really, the first good rain will wash the underside anyways.

This; now if I planned on keeping car a very long time, I would get under it (I use ramps for oil changes so I would have to do half the car at a time) and in the hot weather, shoot water inside any hole I could find. Then, I would get it rust proofed in septemeber or october. Now I no longer have to do this b/c 128 sits for 4-5 months in winter storage.

ndfan · 02-14-2019, 04:33 PM

I bought one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/BE-PRESSURE-8...f_=ya_aw_od_pi

Seems to work pretty well.

chris_flies · 02-14-2019, 04:38 PM

My car's underside seemed pretty clean after packing the wheels and wheel wells full of snow and letting that melt. Driving on the highway in the rain does a pretty good job, too...

I could not move somewhere there isn't snow, it's just too pretty, and too much fun to drive in

Esteban · 02-14-2019, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_flies

I could not move somewhere there isn't snow, it's just too pretty, and too much fun to drive in

I can appreciate that. If I was raised in it I might feel the same way.

JimVonBaden · 02-14-2019, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_flies

My car's underside seemed pretty clean after packing the wheels and wheel wells full of snow and letting that melt. Driving on the highway in the rain does a pretty good job, too...

I could not move somewhere there isn't snow, it's just too pretty, and too much fun to drive in

I grew up in Southern Arizona, lived in Panama City for 5 years, and Vegas for 11 years. I will never again live where there are no seasons to speak of.

Oh, and to the OP, your plan sounds solid.

Gangplank · 02-14-2019, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndfan

I bought one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/BE-PRESSURE-8...f_=ya_aw_od_pi

Seems to work pretty well.

This ^^. Who knew

Matticus91 · 02-14-2019, 07:49 PM

Dang guys wasn't expecting this to blow up hahaha

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1and1

Weeeelllllllllll, I mean, you know, if we're offering

I do have a standing offer on your wheels- they still look terrible on your car, but would look fabulous on mine. And cause I'm such a nice guy you can send the dogs and wife too....

What's that dear?....
really? You're sure about that then? Cause she coul....

((sigh)) Yes Dear.... Of course Dear... Only you Dear...

Yes, so, the dogs, they are welcome anytime! Fuzzy little Samou...Samoy...Samu.... Sam- Fuzzy little snowballs!

LOL. Killing me man lol they ain't for sale dammit

Quote:

Originally Posted by iminhell1

Speaking of fuzzy dogs ...

Lather them up and toss treats under the car.

So perfect hahaha if only I was better at video editing/special effects........

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndfan

I bought one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/BE-PRESSURE-8...f_=ya_aw_od_pi

Seems to work pretty well.

That's perfect! I'm not sure it would fit under my car though will have to look into making it lower.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_flies

I could not move somewhere there isn't snow, it's just too pretty, and too much fun to drive in

Ditto!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

I grew up in Southern Arizona, lived in Panama City for 5 years, and Vegas for 11 years. I will never again live where there are no seasons to speak of.

Oh, and to the OP, your plan sounds solid.

Cheers to that!

rowsdower · 02-14-2019, 08:06 PM

I grew up and lived in NJ for 30 years. Moving to Texas was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Snow is nice once or twice per year. That 4th month of snow where you are freezing your ass off with an ice scraper at 6am is brutal.

Dackelone · 02-14-2019, 08:16 PM

Maybe a pressure washer accessory like this...

https://www.amazon.com/BE-PRESSURE-8...carriage+spray

Or maybe a product to keep the inner wheel wells black and dirt free. Adams makes a good product...

Adam's Invisible Undercarriage Spray 16 oz - Quick and Easy to Use - Turn Your Wheel Wells Invisible - Leaves a Black Satin Finish

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...=1DSRJW5X187EC

.

ndfan · 02-14-2019, 08:33 PM

For those interested, the undercarriage washer I posted above from Amazon will fit under your 1-series. My driveway is on an incline, which might make a slight difference, but I have been able to use it under my 128i, not to mention other low cars like my previous s2000.

It can be a tight fit, so I put very short pieces of hose over the nozzles just long enough that the rubber from the hose would hit the bottom of my cars, instead of a metal nozzle, but the hose is also short enough to not interfere with the spray pattern. Anyway, using hose as protectors is probably overkill, but I’m particular.

Happy Jose · 02-15-2019, 10:29 AM

I would remove the panels covering the engine and transmission and clean them.

I wouldn't be spraying any water under pressure like with a hose underneath your car. There is a lot of wiring and connectors that are exposed to the weather when the panels are removed.

The best thing to do is leave stuff alone; unless, you are willing to carefully clean small sections at a time using rags and some kind of detergent. This video give you an idea of what I'm talking about:

When the plastic covers are on, you can run the car through the car wash which will take care of road grime & salt. You can also use a lawn sprinkler:

02-14-2019, 11:47 AM	#1
Matticus91 Brigadier General 3475 Rep 3,722 Posts Drives: 2013 135i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (6)	Cleaning the underside of the car For those of us that can't eat off of their suspension components, looking at you Suprgnat lol... Curious what your solutions are for washing the underside of the car after salt/dirt/etc. I'm thinking of concocting a mix of dish soap and stronger car soap and foam-gunning the bottom with the car lifted and the wheels off the car, and then getting busy with a soft brush/stiff brush depending on what I'm scrubbing. __________________ "Tobias" 2013 135i ///M-Sport 6MT • Pure Stage 1 • XDI 35 HPFP • 404whp/440wtq IG: msteelio91
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02-14-2019, 01:04 PM	#2
gjm120 Colonel 2182 Rep 2,806 Posts Drives: 2013 128i, 2021 230i Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: East Texas iTrader: (1)	might be easier to move somewhere with better weather. __________________ E82 / BMWP Springs / Koni Yellows / M front control arms / Adjustable front endlinks / M rear guide rods / Whiteline Poly RSFB
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02-14-2019, 01:56 PM	#6
1and1 Loves me some MHD! 1855 Rep 1,718 Posts Drives: faster than he should... Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Tally, FL iTrader: (2) Garage List '09 135i [10.00]	Weeeelllllllllll, I mean, you know, if we're offering I do have a standing offer on your wheels- they still look terrible on your car, but would look fabulous on mine. And cause I'm such a nice guy you can send the dogs and wife too.... What's that dear?.... really? You're sure about that then? Cause she coul.... ((sigh)) Yes Dear.... Of course Dear... Only you Dear... Yes, so, the dogs, they are welcome anytime! Fuzzy little Samou...Samoy...Samu.... Sam- Fuzzy little snowballs! __________________ 1and1 135i - E82.N54 2009 BSM - MHD / xHP / DCI, PR CP & 7.5" Race IC / N55 mid & Borla . . WL RSFI, Koni, Eibach & Dinan CP's, M3 CA's / EBC Red's & Firehawk 500's X1 - E84.N20 2013 MGM - JB4 - The Wife's, now with new turbo & ewg
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02-14-2019, 02:10 PM	#8
1and1 Loves me some MHD! 1855 Rep 1,718 Posts Drives: faster than he should... Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Tally, FL iTrader: (2) Garage List '09 135i [10.00]	As a long term FL guy, they're not wrong... FWIW, I don't know of an "easy" way to properly do the undercarriage- up in the air, wheels off, under tray panels off, goggles on, get after it.... As usual, beware the wiring/electronics. Good ol' fashioned work. __________________ 1and1 135i - E82.N54 2009 BSM - MHD / xHP / DCI, PR CP & 7.5" Race IC / N55 mid & Borla . . WL RSFI, Koni, Eibach & Dinan CP's, M3 CA's / EBC Red's & Firehawk 500's X1 - E84.N20 2013 MGM - JB4 - The Wife's, now with new turbo & ewg
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02-14-2019, 02:28 PM	#9
iminhell1 C2H5OH 3915 Rep 2,144 Posts Drives: 2010 SG 135i auto Join Date: May 2015 Location: Darwin, MN iTrader: (1)	Speaking of fuzzy dogs ... Lather them up and toss treats under the car.
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02-14-2019, 02:30 PM	#10
iminhell1 C2H5OH 3915 Rep 2,144 Posts Drives: 2010 SG 135i auto Join Date: May 2015 Location: Darwin, MN iTrader: (1)	For mine, Come Spring I'll pull all the under panels and just give it a wash down at the car wash. Besides all the holes in the subframes I haven't found a spot that yuck collects and is a problem. And really, the first good rain will wash the underside anyways.
	Appreciate 1 Matticus913474.50 Quote

02-14-2019, 04:33 PM	#13
ndfan Private 26 Rep 59 Posts Drives: 128i m-sport Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	I bought one of these: https://www.amazon.com/BE-PRESSURE-8...f_=ya_aw_od_pi Seems to work pretty well.
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02-14-2019, 04:38 PM	#14
chris_flies Sideways and Smiling 3027 Rep 2,860 Posts Drives: In Exuberance Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Rosamond, CA USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW E91 328i [0.00]	My car's underside seemed pretty clean after packing the wheels and wheel wells full of snow and letting that melt. Driving on the highway in the rain does a pretty good job, too... I could not move somewhere there isn't snow, it's just too pretty, and too much fun to drive in __________________ 2012 BMW 328i 6-Speed Wagon \| Deep Sea Blue with Grey Dakota Leather \| Manual Swap, 330i Intake + Tune, 3.15 Helical LSD, Öhlins R&T (SOLD) 2009 BMW 128i 6-Speed Coupé \| Monaco Blue with Black Sensatec \| chris_flies' 128i thread
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02-14-2019, 08:06 PM	#19
rowsdower Captain 641 Rep 695 Posts Drives: 2011 128i 6MT Sport Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	I grew up and lived in NJ for 30 years. Moving to Texas was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Snow is nice once or twice per year. That 4th month of snow where you are freezing your ass off with an ice scraper at 6am is brutal.
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02-14-2019, 08:16 PM	#20
Dackelone European Editor 10528 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	Maybe a pressure washer accessory like this... https://www.amazon.com/BE-PRESSURE-8...carriage+spray Or maybe a product to keep the inner wheel wells black and dirt free. Adams makes a good product... Adam's Invisible Undercarriage Spray 16 oz - Quick and Easy to Use - Turn Your Wheel Wells Invisible - Leaves a Black Satin Finish https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...=1DSRJW5X187EC . __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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02-14-2019, 08:33 PM	#21
ndfan Private 26 Rep 59 Posts Drives: 128i m-sport Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	For those interested, the undercarriage washer I posted above from Amazon will fit under your 1-series. My driveway is on an incline, which might make a slight difference, but I have been able to use it under my 128i, not to mention other low cars like my previous s2000. It can be a tight fit, so I put very short pieces of hose over the nozzles just long enough that the rubber from the hose would hit the bottom of my cars, instead of a metal nozzle, but the hose is also short enough to not interfere with the spray pattern. Anyway, using hose as protectors is probably overkill, but I’m particular.
	Appreciate 1 Esteban43330.00 Quote

02-15-2019, 10:29 AM	#22
Happy Jose Banned 114 Rep 334 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 135i M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Waynesville, Ohio iTrader: (0)	I would remove the panels covering the engine and transmission and clean them. I wouldn't be spraying any water under pressure like with a hose underneath your car. There is a lot of wiring and connectors that are exposed to the weather when the panels are removed. The best thing to do is leave stuff alone; unless, you are willing to carefully clean small sections at a time using rags and some kind of detergent. This video give you an idea of what I'm talking about: When the plastic covers are on, you can run the car through the car wash which will take care of road grime & salt. You can also use a lawn sprinkler:
	Appreciate 0 Quote