Underbody Wash

We all know that regularly washing our vehicle can help preserve its appearance and longevity, but did you know it's just as vital to pay attention to the underside of your car?

The underbody of your vehicle is regularly exposed to road contaminants like salt, dirt, and debris. These contaminants build up over time and can cause premature corrosion and rusting and impact your car's performance. However, by regularly washing your vehicle's undercarriage, you can help minimise this build-up and prevent damage. 

Below, we explain what an underbody car wash involves and the benefits it offers. Plus, discover how our expert technicians at Star Car Wash can help keep your vehicle in the best possible condition.  

What is an underbody car wash?

An underbody car wash aims to tackle the dirt and grime that can build up on the undercarriage of your vehicle. It offers your beloved vehicle that little bit of extra care and attention it deserves to keep it in pristine condition and prevent premature corrosion and rust caused by the build-up of harmful environmental contaminants like salt, mud and other road debris. This can help protect the longevity of your vehicle, ensuring it remains looking and performing at its best for years to come.

Benefits of underbody washing

The benefits of washing the underbody of your beloved vehicle include :

●       Prevents rust and corrosion – regularly cleaning the undercarriage of your car removes harmful, environmental contaminants like salt, mud and debris, and helps to prevent premature corrosion and rusting of vital components.

●       Improves vehicle performance – having a clean undercarriage can help to reduce drag (a force that opposes motion) and this can help improve your car’s performance and efficiency.

●       Helps you detect potential issues earlier – underbody cleaning can help you detect potential issues, like oil leaks earlier. This ensures you can resolve any problems as soon as possible and helps prevent larger, more costly problems from developing.

When do you need an underbody wash?

We recommend cleaning the underbody of your car before any regular vehicle maintenance, like servicing. This ensures that any potential issues with the underbody of your vehicle are more likely to be picked up and can be dealt with swiftly to prevent more expensive problems from developing. As a rule, it is recommended you have your car serviced every six months or every 10,000km (whichever comes first). 

However, there are certain circumstances when it may be beneficial to have a more regular undercarriage car wash, including : 

●       After travelling off-road in your vehicle

●       After driving on very muddy or sandy roads

●       After exposure to high-salt environments, like the beach or snowy regions

We recommend washing the undercarriage of your vehicle as soon as possible after driving in these circumstances, as they can all expose your car to higher-than-normal levels of contaminants like salt and mud. 

A step-by-step guide to washing the underbody of your car

1. Park your vehicle in a safe place, making sure that you can walk around the whole vehicle freely, as you’ll need to move around the vehicle to access the underneath.
2. Use a pressure washer to rinse underneath your car. The best way to do this is to crouch down and point the pressure washer in an upwards direction under your car, working from the outside to the middle of the underside of your car.
3. Move around the vehicle, ensuring that you rinse all of the underneath and that all visible dirt and grime is removed.
4. Add a specialist undercarriage wash solution to the tank of your pressure washer (following the manufacturer’s instructions on diluting the solution if needed) and repeat the rinsing process, this time spraying cleaning solution on the underside of your vehicle. Some solution will come in a spray bottle allowing you to apply directly to the underside of your car.
5. Rinse any remaining solution from your pressure washer and fill with clean water.
6. Use the pressure washer to give the underside of your car a final rinse. 

Tips for washing the underbody of your car

To safely and effectively wash the undercarriage of your car, follow our top tips :

●     Avoid raising your car on car jacks to clean underneath as this can pose a safety risk if the jack were to slip due to soapy water.

●     Avoid laying under your vehicle when cleaning your car’s undercarriage.

●     Use special pressure washer attachments that point upwards to make the job easier.

●     Always use products specially designed for use on the underneath of your car to prevent damage to vital components.

●     Use your chosen product according to the manufacturer's instructions, applying to strong or dilute a mix can affect cleaning results and potentially cause damage. 

Book car detailing services

Help preserve the look and performance of your vehicle by booking our expert car washing and detailing services today.  

Since 2003, our expert team has cleaned and detailed thousands of cars, using industry-leading techniques to help restore them to like-new condition. 

As Australia’s leading 100% hand car wash, you can relax knowing our expert technicians will expertly clean your vehicle, getting into all the hard-to-reach areas to remove built-up grime and debris that can cause premature corrosion and rust.

Plus, with locations in all major shopping centres across Australia, you can shop, catch up with friends, or even watch a movie while your vehicle is lovingly restored.

Book online today or visit your nearest Star Car Wash branch.