for locals this is the deal. off of the portland ave exit of hwy 512 there is a firm that does steam cleaning. this is not someone with a generic presure washer. your car goes up on a lift and the guy has this desel fired steam cleaner. not a slap dash operation. he seems slow but that's the up side, he works til it's clean. i had the jetta done, $50. when the 73's up and going it will be next. i highly recommend this guy. I BELIEVE HE'S OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK!

AIRPORT ROAD STEAM CLEANING AND UNDERCOATING
2103 E 112th st
tacoma 253-537-6561

kevin

Thanks for the referal. Ive been meaning to get mine done. Only problem is, Im on the east coast.
So if I were to drive there, get it steamed, it would need it again by the time I got back.

but that's only 3000 mi of road crap on the way home. when do you think yours was last done? 60, 70, 80k? ever? by the way, this price is for the complete bottom of the car. not just the eng/trans. imagine, not being covered in shite everytime you touch your car.

kevin

im doing that now, using ps21 total wash and a pressure cleaner. the car had some kind of z-bart done to it. the stuff they use must of been real sticky because it is caked with dirt in it. Its cleaning up well, but it would be easier to steam it like u said.
i have 56K on it now. bought it with 43.

please post a pict of your driveway when it's done

kevin

Steam cleaning is probably best, but I got pretty good results by spraying the underside, wheel wells, and engine compartment (in sections)with Castrol Super Clean, then following up with a gas powered home pressure washer. Everything came out surprising well. Its interesting to see how sloppy some of the paintwork is under the car.

And Kevin is right. We're talking thirty years of build up here! So, 3,000k is nothing. Head for the west coast!

Mike

one thing to note. while steam is just heated water, you avoid the problems with the forced water being injected into every nook and crany, even @ 21psi. if you think that's gentle, stick your hand right infront of the wand. the steam vapor softens the junk as opposed to cutting it. the epa is very strict with regards to disposal, seperators and all. hosing the crap down to a storm drain from your driveway is irresponsible. castrol super clean, grease, grime, into surface runoff water should be punnished with jail time and a big fine. i'm not a tree hugger either.

kevin

If you are going to use the Super Clean and a pressure washer go to a DIY car wash as they have the separaters/oil/gasoline traps to make sure that GUNK doesn't end up in our water.

Or pay a steamcleaner like Kevin.

Geoff

okay 3 or 4 cans of cleaner at the best price you can get. 5 bucks for the local spray and wash. unless you take rollup ramps, on your hands and knees with the stuff blowing back in your face, missing a bunch of the mess. back for more cleaner. back on the ground. do the math. get back in the car all wet and shit. convience is worth the bill in my book sometimes.

kevin

are there any downsides or side effects that could happen from a steam cleaning?

pehaps you clean it so nicely that you see a few more leaks or atleast where they are coming from. any form of pressure whether steam, water, or air, too much presure too close is a bad thing. my guy took his time. you are cleaning not media blasting.

kevin

You could find more rust....

the castrol in my opinion is a bad product. It tarnishes metal and is very harsh in general.
I wouldnt be comfortable putting that on a painted surface. I have a gallon jug sitting in the garage if any1 wants it - feel free to pick it up. the ps21 seems good - citrus degreaser - its kind of mild so you have to do a bit of scrubbing.

I could tow dolly a car up and back and it would be worth the effort. I will give you a holler before I head up Kevin.
CCLINSTEAMCLEANVILLE

you got me convinced its worth doing. Ill check the yellow pages on monday. i take it is considered industrial steaming?? thats all that came up locally here

check under undercoating also. just tell them all you want is the steam. maybe a detail shop can point you in the right direction also. craig, i'll be gone for about a week starting tues or wed. should be crossing the columbia on the 205 @ 8 am or so. about breakfast time. want to get some pancakes? or i'll drive one of your cars up on the way back and you can follow in the jetta . the conversion?

kevin