Engine Bay Cleaning Help

[corsa]

Ok, getting bored watching crap telly at night so want to detail the engine bay.

Any pointers about the best stuff to remove the waxy stuff off and products to make it shiny and clean looking?

Thanks in advance.

Davie

[C_WRX]

Plenty of product options out there, and even the process varies slightly, but I use something along the following :

Engine should be cold.

Cover e.g. intercooler, alternator, battery and obvious fuse/wire areas (basically anywhere where water shouldn't go).

Spray what you want cleaned with a degreaser product like Meguiars Super Degreaser or PS21 (try to avoid the outer bodywork). Gently agitate the more stubborn areas if needed with a soft brush.

Leave for 10-15mins.

Lightly rinse off (don't full blast pressure wash - water will be forced where shouldn't go) for only as long is required.

Remove the coverings and start the car up for a couple of minutes - not too hot just warm to help drying.

Dry any sitting water off.

Now dress all of the surfaces - Painted surfaces using a spray wax and buff off. Plastics using a trim restorer or a surface dressing (like Aerospace 303). Rubber hoses using a surface dressing (like 303).

Hope that at least helps you get under way. Get a before and after pic taken and posted !

Edited November 16, 2009 by C_WRX

[corsa]

Looks good to me.

Will probably start at the weekend as i am away till Friday on Business.

Cheers

Any more tips would be appreciated.

PS Mouse friendly products are NOT required!!!!

davie

[sparky_sj04]

I did my last one with Auto Glym Engine and Machine cleaner. Sprayed a lot on and agitated it where it was needed with a paintbrush, then gave it a good rinse off with water (no pressure, just a plastic bottle).

After that I sprayed it all over with Auto Glym Vinyl & Rubber care, and then just left it all to dry. It came up REALLY well, and the V&R care makes all the surfaces look really good, especially the plastics. Whole process never took long either.

I didn't actually cover anything up before cleaning, just went for it, but in hindsight I would cover a bit more up next time.

Cheers

[BJM]

Plenty of product options out there, and even the process varies slightly, but I use something along the following :

Engine should be cold.

Cover e.g. intercooler, alternator, battery and obvious fuse/wire areas (basically anywhere where water shouldn't go).

Spray what you want cleaned with a degreaser product like Meguiars Super Degreaser or PS21 (try to avoid the outer bodywork). Gently agitate the more stubborn areas if needed with a soft brush.

Leave for 10-15mins.

Lightly rinse off (don't full blast pressure wash - water will be forced where shouldn't go) for only as long is required.

Remove the coverings and start the car up for a couple of minutes - not too hot just warm to help drying.

Dry any sitting water off.

Now dress all of the surfaces - Painted surfaces using a spray wax and buff off. Plastics using a trim restorer or a surface dressing (like Aerospace 303). Rubber hoses using a surface dressing (like 303).

Hope that at least helps you get under way. Get a before and after pic taken and posted !

It sounds so easy !!! Then you start to get a bit too involved, two, three , four days later and several toohbrushes later

Edited November 17, 2009 by BJM