Chassis cleaning?
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 699
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2015 SL550, 2017 GLS 550, 2010 G550, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
Chassis cleaning?
I have a 2012 G550. For anyone not in the know, they are notorious rust buckets. I've already had some corrosion spots on the bottom door sills fixed and I'd like to do more preventative maintenance to ensure they don't reappear.
I've already devised an extensive rust prevention process, including spraying behind window and hinge seals with corrosion-inhibiting oil, lubricating all door hinges with said oil, running a dehumidifier and fan in my garage, frequent and proper hand washing, (and also minimizing the time driven in the rain or snow), etc but I really haven't figured out how to clean the underside of the car, especially under the door sills where so much rust has already appeared. I figure on using a two step process (soapy water followed by a salt-neutralizing spray of water + baking soda) to clean and inhibit corrosion on the underside but I'm not sure how to do that. I've seen devices that have sprayers on wheels, but they require a pressure washer and because I wash my car in the garage (especially during the winter), it becomes difficult if not impossible to use. I also need a device that will allow me to spray baking soda and soap (at sufficient pressure) over the ENTIRE underside of the vehicle. Ideally, I could get something like this:
that doesn't require a pressure washer along with an attachment that can feed it soap or baking soda. I can't seem to find anything like that though. Any ideas?
I've already devised an extensive rust prevention process, including spraying behind window and hinge seals with corrosion-inhibiting oil, lubricating all door hinges with said oil, running a dehumidifier and fan in my garage, frequent and proper hand washing, (and also minimizing the time driven in the rain or snow), etc but I really haven't figured out how to clean the underside of the car, especially under the door sills where so much rust has already appeared. I figure on using a two step process (soapy water followed by a salt-neutralizing spray of water + baking soda) to clean and inhibit corrosion on the underside but I'm not sure how to do that. I've seen devices that have sprayers on wheels, but they require a pressure washer and because I wash my car in the garage (especially during the winter), it becomes difficult if not impossible to use. I also need a device that will allow me to spray baking soda and soap (at sufficient pressure) over the ENTIRE underside of the vehicle. Ideally, I could get something like this:
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,687
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From: Western Canada
2013 C63 AMG P31, 2014 GMC Sierra (6.2)
Interesting about the 2012 G550 being prone to rust. I'm assuming you live in an area (like myself) where road salt is an issue. There are as many opinions on rust proofing as there are products and techniques that try to mitigate the problem. Using some kind of corrosion inhibiting oil is a good start. Although my C63 is parked for the winter, I do have a truck I sometimes drive during this time (albeit begrudgingly). What I do every year (usually in the fall) is spray down the entire underside with a hand nozzle sprayer then coat the entire underside and frame with Fluid Film. I use an air sprayer with a nozzle that can accommodate thicker substances. A variety of different nozzles are used to try to get the inside of the body panels -- either via the drain holes or other methods. I've been doing that for about 6 years on that particular vehicle and there is no rust that I can see on the parts that have been coated. On the parts of the frame that I've missed, you can see surface rust. Once these are coated however, the oxidation problem is stopped cold. I have an older "beater" vehicle that is driven when there is salt, melting snow, or standing water all over the roads - the ultimate solution really...
PS: A lot of good videos out there on Fluid Film application...
PS: A lot of good videos out there on Fluid Film application...
