2000SICVC

Im sure some of you out there clean your engine and engine bay regularly. Your engines look soo clean. What is a good way to do this? I want to spray it all off with water, but what should I cover up (distributor... etc). And what chemicals to use, and where to spray them.

Scudweiser

Its a good idea to cover up your distributor, alternator, starter, air filter (if its a cone filter) and fuse box. most people use old plastic bags but i have seen people use tin foil too. A degreaser of your choice (purple power, simple green, gunk engine brite ect.) will remove most of the crap, then a water based detailer applied when everythings dry will keep stuff like your plastic hoses and valve cover looking good.

2000SICVC

what kind of water based detailer? never heard of it.

IMPATIENT

iTrader: (1)

like a quick detailer, meguiars or mothers etc. Its water based, real thin and watery like and will clean and shine up the engine bay parts and anything that can actually be cleaned and shined.

DC2.2_GSR

for your faded engine bay paint, just get some cleaner wax and wax all of the exposed painted areas. it will bring the color back and look like you just painted the bay. what i do for some extra 'punch' on some important details is take off or at least loosen every engine bay accessory i can get to easily and clean and wax everything underneath. if it's an especially faded bay, i'll use my little battery or air powered 2.5" buffing wheel and compound and polish everything first, then just use a good wax. i once had a guy see his engine bay and say "wow man, it looks great, but i really can't afford to pay the time and materials bill for repainting my engine bay! you shouldn't have done that!" when i told him it's just cleaned and waxed he wouldn't believe it until i showed him how i did it.

if you want your bay cleaned real nicely, just take your time and do it step by step. it's really easy, just takes some time and an eye for detail.

low nd slowej2

Now I have a question wouldn't I have to cover the valve sockets as well? So water won't go in?
I'm scared to try it on my own but they only charge 25 bucks to get it detaild is that a good price?

low nd slowej2

Now I have a question wouldn't I have to cover the valve sockets as well? So water won't go in?
I'm scared to try it on my own but they only charge 25 bucks to get it detaild is that a good price?

MyOwnMechanic

Black Magic makes a 2in1 degreaser and detailer. I used it yesterday and it did a pretty good job cleaning everything with a little assistance from a handbrush. It didn't leave blacks shiny like I was expecting, but like quoted earlier, just buy that separate.

I used tin foil and covered everything that was electrical and exposed. Better safe than sorry, just pop your hood and start protectin stuff.

MyOwnMechanic

Im guessing you mean your spark plug channels. I just cover up the whole channel so that water doesn't soak this area. Obviously you "rinse" the motor off afterwards, so just steer away from areas with electrical components and don't gush tons of water on them and you'll be fine. Make sure to start your motor and let it run for adequate time afterwards.

mekken

engine degreaser!!!!

a97b18b

do you guys cover electrical plugs too?

Would you suggest the motor to be running or off?? I've read some ppl like it running so it can burn off the water faster.

On the back of purpal power or what ever it was, said not to be used on painted surfaces...have you guys had problems w/ that stuff?

kaitou

sorry for reviving this from the dead

you don't spray on the degreaser. its done by hand right? so why would you need to cover all the important electrical engine bits?

kaitou

http://www.ehow.com/video_4738926_degrease-engine.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPXuU...eature=related
^this guys a jerk off. and doesnt really seem to know what hes talking about, is any of it valid?

is there a good diy?

HybridKOOP

Steam is best. Followed by a good degreaser, wax, and a low-luster shine on hoses, etc. like others have said.

Most dealerships have used car engines steam cleaned. They come out amazing that way.

I've detailed hundreds of cars and bays. I will tell you that having the right BRUSHES is key. You really have to get into all of the nooks and crannies and loosen up that dirt. That makes the most difference at the end of the day.

Lou

joeshmo

For detailing and keeping a nice shine, I find that aerospace 303 works great and lasts a long time, just don't be stupid and use it on belts or anything. Megs natural shine is another quality product that can be used to supplement the shine from 303 or on its own. Just make sure the surface is very clean.

What I usually do:
Cover alt with bag
Hose engine with low pressure
Cover entire bay with copious amounts of degreaser (simple green or purple power, depending on what I have available, full strength)
Blast entire engine bay with a hose attachment
Look for dirty areas, hose down and apply engine degreaser. Allow to sit for a while, then agitate with an appropraite sized brush (I find soft bristle nylon brushes work very well and do not leave marks. Toothbrushes work very well for tight areas but get dirty rather quickly, so stop often to clean it to prevent clogging!)
Allow engine to dry or dry with shop rags where water pools. All black surfaces/rubbers get aero303. Plastics get megs nat. Metal and paint get nufinish, applied and removed with small 3-in diameter hand buff/wax pads.

Take care to pay special attention to the small stuff, I always find gunk builds up quickly by my batteries and on my reservoir caps, between the embossed letters. Perfect place for degreaser and toothbrushes.