Dry Ice cleaning anyone?

[Prez1967]

Instagram has been teasing me with dry ice cleaning videos of different cars for a while.

Seared for "C4 ZR1" on youtube today and this popped up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI-p3B5FIhI

I see that a local tool rental shop has a dry ice blaster available. May try it out soon.

Anyone have any experience?

[dredgeguy]

Depending on how bad the weather is in the next day or two, I know of at least 4 more cars that might need this! Sunday at 6 pm is move out date from the DC Auto Show.

[JT ZR-Won]

Wow, that's wild... I've never heard of that. Looks to be extremely effective!

[WARP TEN]

Quite impressive. I know I labored mightily under my Z's and didn't get the components near as clean. Googled a bit and find that the machines are fairly expensive new, maybe $25k more or less depending no capacity and equipment.I also saw rentals for maybe $450 a day or $1,000 a week. Sounds like something Wazoo should think about. Maybe find a detail shop that does this and get them to come out with the equipment for a Saturday. Any idea what a detailer charges to do this on a Corvette? I couldn't find any quotes in my quick search. Or how long it actually takes? --Bob

[Prez1967]

Theres a place in PA that does it. VERY $$$

https://leadingedgeautosport.com/dryice-cleaning/

Labor Starts at:
Engine bay - $250
Wheel wells, all 4 - $750
Undercarriage - $2000
Clear film removal bumper - $500
Clear film ? hood and fenders - $250
All rubber trim, seems, and gaps - $750
Wheels $200 flat for all 4

The machine from the local rental place is about $500 a day plus the cost of the media. I figured i'd give it a whirl when the weather allows me to stay out all day and not freeze my buns off. I could do my Z and my two trucks in a day probably based on the videos I keep seeing on IG (assuming I get enough media in one shot).

[spork2367]

One thing to remember/consider is that this is really more an abrasive blasting process than a cleaning process. Being that there is no residue and that the media doesn't remain, it has the ability to do some things you can't do with traditional blasting.

That being said, with the wrong pressure or media size, it will absolutely do the same thing as regular media blasting, including texturizing smooth surfaces, removing paint, damaging seals and blowing dirt past critical seals. Use with caution.

[mpiecyk]

Info. on dry ice cleaning in Illinois.
The Last Detail
Tom Snellbach 847 689 8822 (Owner)
The quote I received April of 2021 $250.00 per hour plus material.

[conesare2seconds]

I looked into this as a business a few years ago. It requires a compressor with mucho capacity that can deliver air without cycling off to bring pressure back up. A big compressor is more expensive than many of the blasting machines. Most medium sized cities have dry ice retailers so no issues there. It does take care to turn down the pressure when cleaning finished or painted surfaces, though I?ve seen paint ?cleaned? with dry ice (no, thanks). Chassis and suspension cleaning is a terrific application for this process.

[G8nightman]

That's my old Z in the video came out great.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

This is interesting and never heard of dry ice cleaning. It is a lot faster than the method I am going to try.

I watched a live demonstration at a DIY box store here in Japan using a steamer and will buy a version of the McCullough steamer the guy uses in this video. I have a lot of other household uses for it besides cleaning all areas of my cars and motorcycle.

https://youtu.be/FUGMDov3hXc


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[spork2367]

This is interesting and never heard of dry ice cleaning. It is a lot faster than the method I am going to try.

I watched a live demonstration at a DIY box store here in Japan using a steamer and will buy a version of the McCullough steamer the guy uses in this video. I have a lot of other household uses for it besides cleaning all areas of my cars and motorcycle.

https://youtu.be/FUGMDov3hXc


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Interesting... "How To Clean Your Engine Safely Without Water"

Step one: Spray liquid cleaner (mostly water) all over.
Step two: Spray steam (exclusively water) all over soap.
Step three: Use a brush to try to loosen dirt from every nook and cranny.
Step four: Wipe off leaving soap residue on everything...

Not sure I'm sold on that. Plus, that brushing and wiping is TEDIOUS!


I've seen dry ice blasting in use at Bell Helicopter in their gear box refurb facility. We also sent out crank cases to look at both dry ice and wet ice blasting as a replacement for our walnut shell blasting to reduce FOD.

[WARP TEN]

Info. on dry ice cleaning in Illinois.
The Last Detail
Tom Snellbach 847 689 8822 (Owner)
The quote I received April of 2021 $250.00 per hour plus material.

Hi Mike--
I've know Tom for probably 30 years. He has done paint work on a 90 Porsche C4 for me and has helped a couple friends sell their older sports cars. I didn't know he did the dry ice work but I am glad that he does. At least I know him to be a good guy and straight shooter. When we have local car shows, he usually displays a half dozen cars he has for sale at them. The main question I would have is how long does it really take to do, say the entire undercarriage, wheels and engine compartment. Could add up to quite a bit. --Bob

[spork2367]

Hi Mike--
I've know Tom for probably 30 years. He has done paint work on a 90 Porsche C4 for me and has helped a couple friends sell their older sports cars. I didn't know he did the dry ice work but I am glad that he does. At least I know him to be a good guy and straight shooter. When we have local car shows, he usually displays a half dozen cars he has for sale at them. The main question I would have is how long does it really take to do, say the entire undercarriage, wheels and engine compartment. Could add up to quite a bit. --Bob

Based on how long the blasting time takes...a while. On top of that, it will not do anything but push around oil and liquids. It also will not remove tar or things of that nature. In conjunction with other cleaners I can see it being a good tool to get general road dirt/grim out of hard to reach areas.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Interesting... "How To Clean Your Engine Safely Without Water"



Step one: Spray liquid cleaner (mostly water) all over.

Step two: Spray steam (exclusively water) all over soap.

Step three: Use a brush to try to loosen dirt from every nook and cranny.

Step four: Wipe off leaving soap residue on everything...



Not sure I'm sold on that. Plus, that brushing and wiping is TEDIOUS!





I've seen dry ice blasting in use at Bell Helicopter in their gear box refurb facility. We also sent out crank cases to look at both dry ice and wet ice blasting as a replacement for our walnut shell blasting to reduce FOD.


Different strokes for different folks. Fortunately I bought a very clean Z, but the video was for the idea and use of the steamer. The live demo I saw was no soap and just steam and wipe. I do not need dry ice blasting, but I like the idea and have no clue how to get it done in Japan anyway. Besides, I like tedious and do not mind; it is my therapy. [emoji38]


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[mpiecyk]

Hi Bob,
Good to hear from you, all I can say regarding Tom's work comes from the Tri-Power boys they had a few cars detailed from Tom last year and the finish product was outstanding.
Mike P.

[WARP TEN]

Hi Bob,
Good to hear from you, all I can say regarding Tom's work comes from the Tri-Power boys they had a few cars detailed from Tom last year and the finish product was outstanding.
Mike P.

Glad to hear it. --Bob