Cleaning / removing Mud on the undercarriage?

[Who iz]

Garden hose on full stream or high pressure to remove most of it. (or pressure washer on light setting). The remainder have to get underneath when it is still wet and soft and use a sponge or cloth with a bucket of water and wife the rest of it off, wringing out the sponge or cloth often.

"wife the rest of it off" !?...wow!

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[SHANUT]

I tried the power washer and thought I did a solid job rinsing it. Then I took it to the automatic car wash. I looked today and it’s hardened all on most parts like cement. That can’t be good.

People think salt is the number one cause of rust. It’s actually mud that dries under a vehicle and inside the sheet metal. If it’s left in place, anytime you drive in the rain, or it gets wet, it starts to eat away at the metal and that happens every time it gets wet and is left in place. Anytime I drive any of my vehicles in salt or mud I try to get home and simply rinse it out with an open garden hose before it gets too hard or dried. I realize that’s not always possible before the mud dries. The rotary sprinkle is a good idea because it can be moved about and left in place until the mud softens. Then it can easily be rinsed away as I mentioned above.

 

[JT58Bronc]

"wife the rest of it off" !?...wow!

LOL you got me there!!!! (wiPe). But actually my wife is right there with me under our vehicles- cleaning, working on them, sanding, painting, maintenance, etc. She washes, waxes, cleans her own Silverado truck and cleans underneath and in the fenderwells even!

 

[vrtical]

by the time it gets reasonably clean its back in the mud anyways. I find driving around when it rains does wonders.

 

[KABQ]

Start by changing your underwear, then pants as necessary.

In both situations, it will much better if you don't let it dry. Yes, it's awesome to drive around all muddy so people know you hit some dirt, but it's WAY easier to clean if you do it as soon as you get home.

As mentioned above, driving around in the rain works wonders as well.

 

[TrailDust]

Last trip in the mud resulted in me in swim trunks, Bronco up on ramps, removal of skid plates and a pressure washer. Used a plastic chisel on the really stuck on mud. You know what's even more fun? Wife works for a feedlot and her Bronco Sport is constantly caked in dried cow manure, and I think it dries harder than mud. I wear goggles and make sure my mouth is closed when spraying hers off!

 

[DropHunter]

You can let the mechanic do it while he is replacing your alternator. Mine is in the shop right now getting a new alternator and mud shield after this past weekend.

 

[Scott R Nelson]

by the time it gets reasonably clean its back in the mud anyways. I find driving around when it rains does wonders.

That's great if you live somewhere that gets rain regularly. Some of us live in desert regions where it can go months between rain storms.

I keep about ten bucks worth of quarters in the center console and head straight to a do-it-yourself carwash after driving in the mud. I get the main stuff off before it can dry, then go to a regular automatic car wash to get the whole thing clean.

I've learned not to let mud sit overnight.

 

[JRMFFL531]

Last trip in the mud resulted in me in swim trunks, Bronco up on ramps, removal of skid plates and a pressure washer. Used a plastic chisel on the really stuck on mud. You know what's even more fun? Wife works for a feedlot and her Bronco Sport is constantly caked in dried cow manure, and I think it dries harder than mud. I wear goggles and make sure my mouth is closed when spraying hers off!

Damn that sucks.

 

[fourdayoff]

"wife the rest of it off" !?...wow!

If you can get the DW to do it then she is definitely a keeper! Jim.

 

[JRMFFL531]

What cycle do you have to put her in?

 

[CarGuy]

Find a fresh water boat ramp and put both ends a few times....don't mistake brake/gas pedals

 

[Jsb]

Nice Dog

 

[MsPickles]

I use my foam wash gun to power washer, so can lay down half under the Bronco after taking the skid plates off. Something like in the stock picture here. The foaming jug uncouples and pop a power washer fitting in there and you can get up close and personal.
1. remove skid plates.
2. give it a good pre-soak, sticking your arm under both sides.
3. crawl under and start spraying.
4. **water-mud splashes back in your face**
5. cuss some, then crawl out and get goggles, spit grit out.
6. crawl back under and finish the wash.
7. put skid plates back on.
lol

 

[JRMFFL531]

So I probably need to buy a pressure washer if I am gonna continue to do this.

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