I have a numbers matching 400 vert in great shape. It has a lot of road grime underneath including engine and front suspention after 100k miles. What is the best way to clean all this up short of removing the sub frame? In the old days there was steam cleaning which did a great job. Is this an option these days? Other suggestions? Also, it has a great top on it but the rear plastic window is dark. I have not tried to clean it because I did not want to damage it. Is it salvagable or do I need to replace it? Thx MrE
The plastic window is prob toast. The UV rays wreck the plastic. Unfortunately you can't replace the window without removing the top so you might as well replace the top too. I had someone replace my window and remove and reinstall the old roof which was a mistake.
I have a numbers matching 400 vert in great shape. It has a lot of road grime underneath including engine and front suspention after 100k miles. What is the best way to clean all this up short of removing the sub frame? In the old days there was steam cleaning which did a great job. Is this an option these days? Other suggestions? Also, it has a great top on it but the rear plastic window is dark. I have not tried to clean it because I did not want to damage it. Is it salvagable or do I need to replace it? Thx MrE
Welcome,
You can buy a "earth friendly" degreaser from Home Depot that is not solvent based. Works great. Load up a plastic spray bottle and spray on, wash off. Got to get your car up on blocks to be able to see what's going on. Pressure washer would help as well.
Engine Test Stand Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoxyUwptUcdqEb-o2ArqyiUaHW0G_C88 restoring my 1968 Firebird 400 HO convertible (Firedawg) 1965 Pontiac Catalina Safari Wagon 389 TriPower (Catwagon) 1999 JD AWS LX Lawn tractor 17hp (my daily driver) 2006 Sequoia 2017 Murano (wife's car) 202? Electric car 203? 68 Firebird /w electric engine 2007 Bayliner 175 runabout /w 3.0L Mercuiser__________________________________________________________
The plastic window is prob toast. The UV rays wreck the plastic. Unfortunately you can't replace the window without removing the top so you might as well replace the top too. I had someone replace my window and remove and reinstall the old roof which was a mistake.
. Bob, Thanks for the info on the top. The top is old but in near new condition (third one) and has been inside, undercover in AZ for the last 20 years. I do not want to replace it at this time. I do not know how bad the window is until I try to clean it. If it's not too bad after cleaning I will drive it until I need another top. I have pulled the car (numbers matching, 400, 4spd, vert) out of storage and I am working on a few issues so I can enjoy it again. I am the 2nd owner and have owned it for 50 years Shirl Dickey
The '68 BBF Manual describes how to replace the top and window curtain, top only, and window curtain only. Also, there are somewhat fair plastic window cleaners out there to try before replacing the window. I gave away the bottle of the one I used and don't recall the name. Finally, I did multiple cleanings with spray degreaser and a hose plus a lot of putty knife and stiff brush cleaning on the underside of mine. With 175,000+ miles, oil and trans leaks, it was many fun hours.
Okay I went to work on my back window... Soap and water left a nearly opaque plastic. I then went to work with some fine polishing compound. This brought the plastic back to 80% with some haze. I followed this with Meguiars NXT which brought it to 90%... It looks pretty good but I need a product that will get me the last 10%. Looking for suggestions. The problem was not UV discoloration, it lookes like some pretty hard surface oxidation (takes a lot of work to cut it). The plastic is now clear but with patches of minor haze.. I have before and after pic's but I do not see a path to posting them... I probably need a few more posts. Thanks for helping a new guy... Shirl.
I bought a couple wire brush bits for my drill... I did the entire underside of the car and repainted it with chassis black...
Same thing here. Took off all the factory undercoating overspray as well. Luckily the wife was out of town for that extended weekend as I must have taken about 15 showers.
2012 Mustang Boss 302 #1918, Competition Orange. FGF replacement 2006 Mustang V6 Pony, Vista Blue. Factory ordered. 2019 BMW X3 (Titled to the wife, but I'm always driving it for her. So I'm claiming it) Old projects, gone but not forgotten: 1967 FB 400, original CA car. After 22 years of work, trashed by the guy who was supposed to paint it. I had to sell it. 1980 Turbo Trans Am 1970 Mustang fastback, 351C 4Bbl, auto 1988 Mustang GT, 5 speed 1983 F-150 4x4, built 302 1994 Chevy K2500 HD 4x4, 454 TBI
