Classic VW BuGs How to Steam Clean Power Wash Blast your Vintage Beetle Chassis

[@DoriFord]

I used to steam wash some engine parts and I got some amazing results when combining it with soap (1) and WD40 (2). Soap kinda really does some miracles with steam and really cleans, while WD40 does what it should pretty much - gets all the water out of the parts. Of course, you may need an enormous amount of WD40 for a chassis, but for small parts like carburetors that stuff works amazing.

[@ArizonaOval]

nothing like a good cleaning! nice video

[@CTmoog]

Nice. I will be renting one of these soon! Thank you

[@1ProShooter]

Like the design of the rotisserie . The steam cleaner appears to do a better job than I would have expected. Question: Have you tried oven cleaner, or similar spray on engine cleaners on a chassis? Or use a product and use the pressure/steam unit after? I have been looking at methods for a Karmann Ghia, and a 65 Beetle now that the it's warmer outside. Always appreciate the knowledge and experience you have with these great cars.

[@classicvwbugs]

Many times we spray the chassis with a degreaser, let it soak in a bit, then blast it.

[@marllonmirlon]

i want to clean inside the chassis.. do you have any idea how can i do it? where the water goes after?

[@1uptospeed]

thanks for keeping it clean chris,

[@MarkLoves2Fly]

Is there a good way to remove surface rust? I cannot afford to do a pan-off restore yet, but my wheels are looking pretty rough. I really don't want to just buy new, because these are the factory original, and you only get original once. Thanks, Nice video. I've subscribed. ;)

[@JosephDR]

Excellent work, Chris and dad. I noticed you took the tar mats off the pan but not on the tunnel. How did you get them off and is this something you recommend? I am currently doing my own "Build A Bug" on my '64 Beetle.

[@classicvwbugs]

Joseph D Rodriguez Sometimes they just pull off, but other times you need a steel putty blade with a handle or spackle to get underneath it and hammer it out. The original stuff on the tunnel was good so we left it.

[@AarieVann]

Chris, do you give tours of your shop?

[@classicvwbugs]

Aarie Vann Sure, come by anytime, I dunno if it is big enough for a tour, haha, but more than happy to show you around.

[@ReloaderJoe]

Is it safe to do this with the body on or will it damage the paint or anything?

[@classicvwbugs]

+Flying-Derp It shouldnt, but what kind of paint job is on that car? If it is a show car, I would not do that. Get it detailed professionally.

[@ReloaderJoe]

+Chris Vallone Thanks for the reply! It's not show quality. I would call it more like "new car" quality. I stripped the car but left it on the pan b/c the floors and the body seal were both in great shape. The gas tank and fenders are off the car so i have a great view of the front suspension.

[@AlexanderShubin555]

Nice washing

[@EthanBikeMedia]

doesnt this blow water and yuk stuff into the seals and the beerings? just curious. Thanks, Ethan.

[@classicvwbugs]

+Ethan Blanchard well usually when we blast the chassis, everything gets replaced, all that stuff you mentions gets new.

[@knifelover150]

Would regular power washer give a similar result?

[@classicvwbugs]

***** kind of, the steam is what really cleans it well.

Nice. No chemicals are needed at all?

[@classicvwbugs]

Ola Svensson No, that is what is great, it is just HOT water.

Good. Just water it is amazing. Clean environment then...

[@dchristiansen1]

Not sure why you didn't do this before doing any work to the chassis.

[@classicvwbugs]

We always do this before doing any work to the chassis.

[@edneijose1]

ficou muito bom.

[@MrWolfSnack]

People that sandblast with sand and walnuts do not have the car on a rolling frame - they have it on a rotisserie. You're not supposed to do any kind of sand or water blasting with the chassis still intact. Imagine how much water you forced into every crevice of that suspension and it will rust from the inside out. Everyone is just so lazy today. Spend an extra day and strip it bare and then clean and refinish every part before putting it back on.

[@classicvwbugs]

Stop, lets get real here. These videos are for people that can work on their bugs at home. How many people have rotisseries in their homes? You are lucky if most can even take the bodies off the chassis. It's power blasted with steam because many of these chassis are caked with mud, grime, gunk, so power washing with steam is great to do. Afterwards we blow the chassis free and clear of any water. You are worrying about rusting? These things will outlast US. We will be in the grave before it rots away. It is rare that people use these as daily drivers anymore.

[@MrWolfSnack]

There's a difference between doing a proper job and doing it right, or doing something half assed and causing twice as much problems later. If someone can take a car off the chassis at home, they have the skill and equipment to spend the extra day and do a total restoration. Your own channel specifies you make videos for body off restoration. That includes takeing the car down to the chassis and sandblasting and repainting the chassis and fixing any rust holes. Now how many people have a steam cleaner in their home? And then blow drying it with a large air compressor too? How many people are going to use those on a regular basis? You will never pay off the purchase price in using something like that. Meaning you would have to pay someone to do it - so then there goes money in labor and service at a shop. Also you were powerhosing it in mud and gravel, just splattering more dirt and debris into the chassis. The issue is you are getting water and everything into parts that were never meant to have water shoved inside at a high pressure. There is a difference between water resistant and waterproof. Also this has nothing to do with the fact of someone buying one for $500 and restoring it. There is 1,000 places rust holes can hide on the chassis and not doing a full teardown is NOT at all a "?restoration". It's something car flippers do that want to maximize every dollar out of the resale of the car. Just a lot of sloppy rushed work in your videos and very poor procedure.

[@classicvwbugs]

@@MrWolfSnack You do not have to own these power washers, you can rent them, per day. You do not need an air compressor to blow out the chassis, most folks have leaf blowers in their homes, as silly as that sounds, or roll the chassis to a local guy who does have an air compressor. I've been in business for over 13 years, been making videos since 2007 here on YT, not one of our hundred or so cars that we have restored have rusted out. Many times the chassis and beams are in terrific shape, many times the clients do not want that kind of work. It comes down to $$s and cents. If the client does not have the budget, you have to be practical. Do you own a business? Do you have overhead and expenses? Better yet, you have a small youtube channel, grab your camera and produce a video for us on a bug and show us what to do. Or, come to my shop, I'll even feed ya, I got plenty of chassis' here, I have four cameras, and lets produce the quality of MRWolfSnack. No one is doing anything half assed here by the way, I produce these vids to be practical for the home guy. Peace.

[@KITTTHECAT2024]

@@classicvwbugs what a jerk that guy is. Jeeze! Thank you for all you do to help us home garage guys.

[@classicvwbugs]

@@KITTTHECAT2024 Its all good, being behind a computer make people feel tougher sometimes.