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Thread: Dry ice cleaning

  1. #1

    Default Dry ice cleaning

    I just thought I’d talk about the recent experience I’ve had with dry ice cleaning on my NSX.
    It seems like ‘the thing’ right now, to get the underneath of the car looking as good as the bodywork.
    I always planned to get my car to a high finished standard. Luckily it was incredibly good when I bought it from Tokyo just over 4 years back now.

    However, the thought of standing underneath a ramp for weeks and weeks, with a toothbrush and endless tubes of autosol just filled me with dread. I decided that if I could find a dry ice cleaning service near me, I’d get it done.

    After a couple of years of looking and only finding companies in the south-east, or that only did industrial work, I ventured apon a company near Trowbridge who specialise in cars.
    Julian and Mara are incredibly meticulous and unlike many companies these days, have their customers best interest at heart.
    I drove the car up with an NSXCB ‘car friend’ and managed to get pulled over by the police both ways!
    Anyway, I left the car there for a week and picked it up yesterday. I knew the job had gone well, because they sent me regular updates, which was great.

    When we arrived, they got the car up onto the ramp and we were able to see the fantastic results.
    My car has only covered 14k miles, but there was over thirty years of dirt, oil and stonechip overspray.
    There are a few ways to go with the cleaning. You can either remove everything, dirt, stonechip and underseal and then re-underseal/stonechip and/or wax.
    Or you can remove the dirt and stonechip, leave the underseal and wax at a later date if you decide you want some extra protection.
    Because my car is a garage queen and it’s sorn for half the year in a moisture free, dry garage. I decided to do the latter.
    Anyway, the results are fantastic. Everything is incredibly clean. That’s the complete underside, under the bonnet and engine bay.

    Are there any limitations? Yes definitely. If your car has had a tough life in the elements; salt roads and/or has lived outside. There’s going to be more pitting on the suspension components, nuts and bolts. Dry ice cleaning will remove a percentage of this, but if perfection is the aim, then it’s removal, media blasting then refit of some components. But could be done in combination with ice blasting.

    Is the NSX a good car to be dry iced? I think so. We all know the chassis is a masterpiece and most have been well protected underneath. So removing the dirt and stone-chip should reveal a very clean underbody. It will definitely show you what you have and what can be improved or protected better.

    So who will benefit from this service? I think a good cross section of owners.

    Anyone who is looking to improve their car to a much better standard. Most people detail or have their cars professionally detailed. Arguably it’s the missing part of car maintenance; mechanical service - paint and interior protection - under body protection.

    Anyone who wants to use their car in all conditions, but want high protection.
    Pretty much anyone who wants to preserve their car. And for anyone who gets this done. To increase the value and saleability.
    It’s not cheap. But it’s actually incredibly good value. The service takes 2-3 days and that’s a lot of labour. The machine is also massively expensive. JTek use the best hardware on the market and the results reflect this.
    For me, it’s an opportunity to get the car to the standard I always envisaged. In two days they can achieve what it would take me three months to do badly!

    Just a couple of things I forgot. 1. Dry ice doesn’t harm anything, so it’s really non invasive and 2. It’s incredibly cold. Nearly -80 I believe.

    Here’s the link to their company. They recently did Countach engine for Harry’s garage youtube.

    https://jtekauto.co.uk/about-us/
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    Last edited by Papalazarou; 06-05-2022 at 07:56 PM.
    I am Godzilla, you are Japan!

  2. #2

    Default

    Very timely. I discussed this with the guys recommissioning my '93 coupe and they were keen on it, too. Not sure if it's worth it on my car, though.

    One Q: rubber/plastic parts are all left unaffected by the treatment, right?

  3. #3

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by goldtop View Post
    Very timely. I discussed this with the guys recommissioning my '93 coupe and they were keen on it, too. Not sure if it's worth it on my car, though.

    One Q: rubber/plastic parts are all left unaffected by the treatment, right?
    Hard rubber and plastic good. Foam rubber bad. When they did mine they masked accordingly and covered up the bolts which had the original paint marks.
    I am Godzilla, you are Japan!

  4. #4

  5. #5

    Default

    I thought it looked like a lot of fun to do. But apparently with the weight of the gun and cable, that you’re always looking upwards and the breathing equipment. The novelty wears off pretty fast.
    However, it is awesome to see.
    I am Godzilla, you are Japan!

  6. #6
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    Default

    James, what sort of price would one be looking at?

  7. #7

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Hagasan View Post
    James, what sort of price would one be looking at?
    They quote £1500 incl. right now, but I think it might increase in the future because it’s so time consuming.
    That’s full underbody, engine bay and under bonnet.
    I am Godzilla, you are Japan!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
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    Nr Watford, Hertfordshire
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    Default

    Okay doke. Thank you ��

  9. #9

    Default

    Found a place that does Dry Ice Blasting, only 2 miles from my house & even more of a coincidence, is a friend of my next door neighbour. Further investigation is required to see their charges for underfloor treatment & I'm interested in getting the gearbox I bought from Goldtop done as a trial piece.

    https://www.dryiceinnovations.co.uk

    Will give an update as & when I have any results.
    Wix

  10. #10

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by wixer View Post
    Found a place that does Dry Ice Blasting, only 2 miles from my house & even more of a coincidence, is a friend of my next door neighbour. Further investigation is required to see their charges for underfloor treatment & I'm interested in getting the gearbox I bought from Goldtop done as a trial piece.

    https://www.dryiceinnovations.co.uk

    Will give an update as & when I have any results.
    That’s great they are so close. I had to wait a long time to find somewhere that wasn’t 250 miles away.
    I am Godzilla, you are Japan!

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