Cleaning

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Original Smith
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Cleaning

Post by Original Smith » Mon Aug 05, 2019 7:00 pm

How many of you enjoy relaxing on a creeper, under your car cleaning after a tour or two? For me it's relaxing, and I get to reflect on each piece I'm cleaning, and what effort was put into each part. I usually also have a cold beer nearby to help me on this journey. I guess I can call if fun, but it's something that needs to be done. Ford didn't make provisions for oiling clevis pins, and a few other parts as well.

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George House
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Re: Cleaning

Post by George House » Mon Aug 05, 2019 7:34 pm

I can appreciate your stewardship and enjoyment to our beloved Fords after an event. I enjoy spending a few days before an important tour to overly service the various components. That said; I drove my centerdoor over a very wet caliche road about 3 months ago and the road material turned to ‘concrete’ under the fenders. Thanks to your post I think I’ll get under with a creeper and clean it out !
I don’t know why I turned out this way. My parents were decent people 🤪

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Will_Vanderburg
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Re: Cleaning

Post by Will_Vanderburg » Mon Aug 05, 2019 7:50 pm

Last really dirty trip I went on, stained the radiator. Gonna have to spray that sucker black again.
William L Vanderburg

1925 Touring
1922 Center Door Sedan

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Gorms68
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Re: Cleaning

Post by Gorms68 » Mon Aug 05, 2019 8:50 pm

After we brought our "new" Chandler home I spent a couple of days under it cleaning and inspecting every part of the car.

Very relaxing and enjoyable.


Allan
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Re: Cleaning

Post by Allan » Tue Aug 06, 2019 12:27 am

What I really like about Henriettra is after I've cleaned the windscreen, I'm done!

Allan from down under.


old_charley
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Re: Cleaning

Post by old_charley » Tue Aug 06, 2019 2:04 am

Cleaning??? I take pride in how much grease and road grime I can collect before it falls off from its own weight!


D Stroud
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Re: Cleaning

Post by D Stroud » Tue Aug 06, 2019 6:24 am

Our "mostly" original '25 coupe still has a lot of the 90 year old paint, grease and dirt on the running gear, and it's going to stay that way. Dave :)
1925 mostly original coupe.


It's Bill
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Re: Cleaning

Post by It's Bill » Tue Aug 06, 2019 6:55 am

I think washing a car is the best way to really understand the form and character of the design, IMHO. And I think a detailed cleaning of the mechanical bits is a great way to do an inspection. That said, I hate cleaning a car! Cheers, Bill

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Rich Eagle
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Re: Cleaning

Post by Rich Eagle » Tue Aug 06, 2019 7:54 am

"reflect on each piece" is part of the enjoyment we don't often talk about. It is satisfying to see those parts again. My Yellow speedster shows every bit of grease and grime much more readily than a black chassis. I was meticulous for several years and would even spend time under it on tours. Then I acquired an '07 Buick which has a cream colored chassis. It constantly spits oil everywhere as standard practice. The years and many tours have made me less conscientious about cleaning but it is like Christmas to see these parts sparkle again.
The patina creatures from the dark side give my old bones a break.
fun is where we find it.
Rich
When did I do that?


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Re: Cleaning

Post by Pete Ratledge » Tue Aug 06, 2019 8:11 am

Larry, I agree with you. I do the same thing after every tour. ALWAYS A COUPLE OF BEERS !! I just got the red dirt off my car from the red dirt tour up at Prince Edward Island Canada , so I can get some of the Dirt from The tour down at Cookeville TN on it.
Pete Ratledge


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Re: Cleaning

Post by Fire_chief » Tue Aug 06, 2019 8:22 am

My cleanup from the red dirt tour was easy. I hit every water puddle on the paved roads afterwards, and the dirt washed itself off. That's Connecticut Yankee thinking.


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Re: Cleaning

Post by Rich Bingham » Tue Aug 06, 2019 9:08 am

Lizzie got a spit-bath the other day. I can't get excited about an under-side cleaning, but the beer sounds good ! Here's to ya Larry !🍻
"Get a horse !"

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dlmyers
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Re: Cleaning

Post by dlmyers » Tue Aug 06, 2019 11:23 am

When I'm under my unrestored Tudor I'm working on something not cleaning but I do think about the last time some of the bolts had a wrench on them it was when the car was built or maybe when my Grandfather worked on it.
But when the little specks of original paint or rust or maybe dirt from some road it traveled years ago fall in my eyes I think about a parody of an old Waylon Jennings song titled "Don't You Think This Patina Bit's Done Got Out Of Hand".
The old forums are a gold mine of information.


Scottio

Re: Cleaning

Post by Scottio » Tue Aug 06, 2019 11:51 am

I’ll get under my T with a rag once in a while. The last time I used a pressure washer I lost a rod on the way home :lol: it seems every time I really clean a really bad chassis disaster fallows. Maybe the grime is holding things together. :)


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Re: Cleaning

Post by Sarikatime » Tue Aug 06, 2019 9:15 pm

Larry, it is a great idea, but, it is so difficult enjoying my favorite adult beverage while under the T on my back. I would rather partake like Bryan O. sit back and enjoy the beauty of the old girl from a safe distance in a comfortable chair with a T buddy chewing the fat and not take the chance of spilling a drop of beer. Just my one cent worth. Frank. (Lol)


Topic author
Original Smith
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Re: Cleaning

Post by Original Smith » Tue Aug 06, 2019 9:23 pm

Oh, Frank, why did you have to go and do that! I agree, and it is kind of hard to drink a beer on a creeper, but what the hell! The job needs to be done!


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Re: Cleaning

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Wed Aug 07, 2019 4:51 am

A nice piece of clear vinyl tubing about two feet long makes a fine any position straw! Duct tape to a hub flange as a "no tip" base, and you're all set.

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RustyFords
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Re: Cleaning

Post by RustyFords » Wed Aug 07, 2019 9:34 am

I do it all the time with my old cars.

What's really nice is to get a fan blowing and have a rolled up towel for a pillow. Often my little mutt will join me and we'll catch a little nap under there...dozing off while I admire things I've worked on.
1924 Touring

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Ruxstel24
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Re: Cleaning

Post by Ruxstel24 » Wed Aug 07, 2019 10:38 am

Creepers are not bad for me to get under with...
Getting back vertical is another proposition entirely after wrenching for 35 years !!

I prefer to clean/ponder/gaze from the upright position with the T on my lift. :)
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Dallas Landers
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Re: Cleaning

Post by Dallas Landers » Wed Aug 07, 2019 11:27 am

Dave has a clamp on beer can holder for his luft also! :D


Dallas Landers
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Re: Cleaning

Post by Dallas Landers » Wed Aug 07, 2019 11:27 am

Lift,lift I say!

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Kaiser
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Re: Cleaning

Post by Kaiser » Thu Aug 08, 2019 5:49 pm

I hear that some of our tribes elders have trouble coming up from a creeper...
Well, now there is a solution, although it might be as expensive as a lift :lol:

https://youtu.be/SJ68kjRMHys
When in trouble, do not fear, blame the second engineer ! 8-)
Leo van Stirum, Netherlands
'23 Huckster, '66 CJ5 daily driver


Dallas Landers
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Re: Cleaning

Post by Dallas Landers » Thu Aug 08, 2019 9:57 pm

Leo, something in a hand crank model with big dangerous gears close to ones ears would be more at home around a model T. That one does look fun! My luck I could manage to hit the wrong button and have to clean grease, dirt and blood from under the T. :D

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Kaiser
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Re: Cleaning

Post by Kaiser » Fri Aug 09, 2019 5:01 am

Dallas, finally you can have your forehead with original Ford script, although it would be a mirror image :lol:
When in trouble, do not fear, blame the second engineer ! 8-)
Leo van Stirum, Netherlands
'23 Huckster, '66 CJ5 daily driver

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