Steam Clean or Soda Blast Undercarriage

[PitbullRescuer]

I posted this in the DETAILING section but doesn't look like that gets much traffic. Sorry for the double post.

Looking for some advice and input from those that have gone either of these routes. I currently have 3 4Runners. My DD and one of my projects both could use some major under carriage cleaning. I was going to start by driving over to the Self Serve Carwash and pressure washing the chassis & suspension parts the best I can. But they'll both need more than that.

Wondering if anyone can tell me from experience if I'm better off soda blasting them and repainting or steam cleaning them and repainting? I'd have to go out and but the equipment for either which is fine since I do so many projects but I'd rather buy one or the other and not both.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Dark Lord]

I'd probably just take it to Ziebart and get it undercoated. From what I've heard is you take it there, they clean the undercarriage and coat it with rust protection stuff. Costs around $90. That's just what I heard though, so don't quote me on that. I did call Ziebart a few months ago when I was thinking about it, and they quoted me at $90 I think it was. I just haven't gotten around to it, or done the research yet. I WILL have it figured out before winter hits and the salt hits the roads. I don't want my rust free Toyota to get rust on it!

 

[Millerad1651]

Ziebart is more than that. I remember seeing $250 ish. Plus you have to come in every year on the exact date for a check to keep your warranty valid. That's just what I read though, could be wrong.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Ziebert is out, they're my trucks so I'm sure I'd do a better job than they would. Plus, for what it would cost me, I could buy a blaster and a steam cleaner.

 

[Singtoe]

What are you cleaning off? Are you try to knock rust off or just grease, oil and dirt.

If you trying to get the rust, you will need the soda blaster.

If it is grease, dirt and oil - Use the steam cleaner.

 

[NorCalBorn]

FWIW about 2 years ago I picked up a $300 pressure washer at the hardware store along with a garden hose. Hook the garden hose up to the house's water heater and goto town, cheaper than the car wash, just be sure you've recently backflushed the water heater so you don't get any sediment stuck in the washer's impellers. Bonus is I can use the thing around the house on sidewalks, fence, etc. It's paid for itself over and over with chassis cleaning every season.

Kärcher North America - The Best Selling Brand of Pressure Washers, Floor Care and Innovative Cleaning Products in the US and Canada

 

[opie74]

Soda wont eat up any deep seated rust, from what I hear. The particles just dont have the density or sharp edges like sand. I built a small sandblaster from a 20 pound propane tank that works great for the small projects. And the sand leave the surface pretty rough for whatever you are going to coat with. I plan to hit the rust under mine then go over with chassis saver and eventually the whole rig with something like monstaliner.

This is the only picture I have of it. Yes its plumbed a little on the wrong side in the pic, but its fixed now.

 

[Singtoe]

This is the only picture I have of it. Yes its plumbed a little on the wrong side in the pic, but its fixed now.

Looks like a crazy Hookah. :lookout:

 

[opie74]

I suppose one could fill it with water.....