Please check out our list of frequently-asked questions – if you don’t find the information you’re looking for, please email us at [email protected] – Thanks!
What is dry ice blasting?
Dry ice blasting is the most effective cleaning method for cars and is completely safe for your vehicle. Dry ice cleaning is a non-abrasive, efficient, cutting-edge process that uses solid carbon dioxide pellets to do the dirty work. The dry ice is propelled with compressed air at supersonic speeds. This causes the ice to sublimate on impact, extracting dirt and contaminants (and even light corrosion) off the surface.
By varying the settings, we can preserve undercarriage paint and factory paint markings, while removing surface grime, dirt, tar, undercoating, and even light corrosion and paint. You’re completely in charge of what you want removed and what you’d like to preserve!
Dry ice cleaning is non-toxic. It’s not flammable. No chemicals or water are used, and it’s very environmentally friendly. Put simply, it’s designed to remove everything that wasn’t there when your car was brand new.
It’s safe for all surfaces: Metal, paint, plastic and rubber (and even carpet and upholstery) can be cleaned this way. The process won’t damage wiring harnesses or connectors, nor will it remove paint (or factory assembly paint marks or serial numbers). Also, since there’s no water, there’s no chance of creating corrosion – or worse, getting moisture inside electrical connectors and other delicate components.
Dry ice blasting is incredibly popular in regions with inclement weather. Often, a car will be blasted prior to the application of rustproofing. We’re fortunate in the southwest – rust is nearly unheard of, and there’s little need for undercoating.
However, we believe a pristine undercarriage and engine bay shouldn’t be limited to those in the rust belt, or people with exotic cars. FFR is committed to providing this high-end service to people just like us. Enthusiastic ownership isn’t limited to high-end cars, and the process to maintain them should be available to all.
Who is Freeze Frame Restoration?
FFR came about much like any other business venture – to address a need. I’m a long-time collector and restorer, and have been doing restoration work as a hobby since the late 80’s. In 2016, I retired and dedicated my time to maintaining my collection and helping others with their cars.
I once spent three months detailing the undercarriage of a vintage Datsun Z prior to auction. It turned out great, and set a record for a 1973 240Z, but three months on my back and over $1000 in materials isn’t something I’d want to do again.
A few years later, I was in the middle of refreshing a very rare (one of five in the US) car from the mid-60’s. A close friend who restores high-end Japanese classics to a very high caliber suggested preserving the originality and having the undercarriage and engine bay dry ice blasted. A year’s worth of research and a healthy investment later, FFR was born.
Why would I want this done?
Let’s say you’re auctioning a car. You’ll want to include undercarriage pictures. A clean, detailed undercarriage increases buyer confidence and shows that you actually give a damn about more than shiny paint. Vehicles with a properly-detailed undercarriage draw substantially more money, so it makes sense to invest a little in this part of the process.
Or maybe you’ve restored a car, but a clean undercarriage isn’t just for cars that are for sale. Underhood and undercarriage detailing makes any car look and perform better, and let’s face it: working on a clean car is so much nicer than a filthy one! Leaks and wear items are more easily remedied without a bunch of dirt and grime in the way.
Perhaps you’re simply flipping a car for profit. A well-written ad, combined with great undercarriage and underhood pics, can easily result in a doubling of your investment.
How does it work?
Why can’t I just do it myself?
Well, to begin with, the equipment is expensive and cumbersome. To set up a functional blasting arrangement can easily exceed $100k, and that’s before you incorporate a dedicated blasting location, a lift, personal protective equipment, fuel, ventilation system, dry ice delivery and storage, and all the other necessities.
Seems expensive. Why?
As previously mentioned, the equipment investment alone can easily exceed $100k. Dry ice costs $400-750 (depending on the size of the car, the amount of cleaning needed, and other factors like temperature and humidity). It’s an all day job in most cases, and typically a two-person operation. Lastly, consumables and fuel aren’t free, and cleaning up for the next job takes time and effort.
What’s included?
When you deliver your car to our locked, climate-controlled facility, we’ll bring it into the shop and place it on our lift. Several pictures are taken to show the “before” condition. The wheels are then removed, and a thorough inspection is done to identify problem areas and a plan of attack. Wheelwells are done first, followed by the undercarriage from bumper to bumper. Then we address the engine bay, and finally the inner barrels of the wheels. A second set of pictures are taken of the results (which you can include in your auction presentation). The wheels are reinstalled, torqued to manufacturer specs, and your car is ready for pickup!
Alternatives?
To fully detail and restore a vehicle’s undercarriage is a huge undertaking. Full disassembly, cataloguing and restoring of each component, and reassembly can take months (or years, for a proper restoration).
Pressure washing is messy and hard to modulate, and high pressure drives water into places it shouldn’t be, setting up corrosion and electrical nightmares.
Manual cleaning simply can’t match the thoroughness of dry ice blasting.
Do you offer detailing or other services?
We do not. We are focused on doing this, and doing it well. However, in our LINKS section, you’ll find a list of trusted professionals including paintless dent repair, full-service detailers, paint correction, PPF and tint, and even a professional car photographer!
OK, what do I do next?
First, we’ll need to know more about your car. Fill out our convenient worksheet on the SCHEDULE page, send us a few pictures of the engine bay and underside, and pick a date that works for you!
Then it’s a simple matter of dropping off your car. Typically, we ask for 24 hours to complete the job, so make sure you have a ride home and a ride back. Also, we do require a $500 deposit up front. This covers the dry ice delivery as well as our technician’s time in the event of a no-show.
We can accomodate trailered cars, and rest assured that your car will be in the same caring hands that tend to my collection of classic cars!
Pricing:
Undercarriage / wheelwells / wheels / engine bay: $1900 for * most * cars
Undercarriage only: $1500
Engine bay only: $500