Detailing the engine bay

[mig1980]

Good day everyone. I was curious if anyone had any recommendations as to how and what to use to detail the engine bay. It is really dirty and I just want to see how others do it. Any info would help.

Thanks.

[drew]

i head to a .25 carwash with heated/hot water. i use the hot soap & then rinse... no engine cleaners needed... comes out like new. i do this on a bi-monthly basis.

i've never had any problems... this is how i have done it with the last 5 bmws i've owned.

[asawadude]

Here's a couple of resources:

Meguiar's engine detailing forum
Autopia.org's engine detailing DIY

I was taught never to steam clean an engine compartment by my uncle who owned a body shop for 40 years. You can pressure wash an engine with cold water, provided you wrap all electronics (distributors, fuse boxes, etc.) in shrink wrap. Hot water generates steam which in turn gets into electronics.

A good degreaser and an engine detailing spray is all you need to clean an engine compartment.

[NMWX5]

Originally Posted by drew

i head to a .25 carwash with heated/hot water. i use the hot soap & then rinse... no engine cleaners needed... comes out like new. i do this on a bi-monthly basis.

i've never had any problems... this is how i have done it with the last 5 bmws i've owned.

Don't you have to cover the distributor and battery before spraying water into the engine bay?

[the head]

I spray with Zep Degreaser then hose down with warm water let it dry then start the car, let idle for about 15 min, shut off engine, spray the hell out of the engine bay with High Gloss armorall then shut the hood, the heat from the engine allows the armorall to evenly coat surfaces...let sit for 15 or 20 min and you are done!

[X5Jay]

Originally Posted by the head

I spray with Zep Degreaser then hose down with warm water let it dry then start the car, let idle for about 15 min, shut off engine, spray the hell out of the engine bay with High Gloss armorall then shut the hood, the heat from the engine allows the armorall to evenly coat surfaces...let sit for 15 or 20 min and you are done!

I can't imagine that stuff is a welcome coating on everything in the engine bay, like belts and pulleys for example...

[drew]

Originally Posted by NMWX5

Don't you have to cover the distributor and battery before spraying water into the engine bay?

~ never ... no need.

[drew]

Originally Posted by the head

spray the hell out of the engine bay with High Gloss armorall then shut the hood, the heat from the engine allows the armorall to evenly coat surfaces...

~ the armorall just collects dust on the entire surface.

i prefer the natural shine... a good cleaning works for me.

[the head]

Originally Posted by X5Jay

I can't imagine that stuff is a welcome coating on everything in the engine bay, like belts and pulleys for example...

It honestly has no real effect on it there are some other products I have started to use but I learned this from a detail shop I worked at when I was a kid.

also because of the water cutting the shine it doesn't attract dust like armorall does on it's own but again this is just for the glossy finish

there are some sprays but they can greatly affect your hoses and belts

[Autopia]

Originally Posted by asawadude

Here's a couple of resources:

Meguiar's engine detailing forum
Autopia.org's engine detailing DIY

I was taught never to steam clean an engine compartment by my uncle who owned a body shop for 40 years. You can pressure wash an engine with cold water, provided you wrap all electronics (distributors, fuse boxes, etc.) in shrink wrap. Hot water generates steam which in turn gets into electronics.

A good degreaser and an engine detailing spray is all you need to clean an engine compartment.

Thank you for offering a fellow member detailing advice and for recommending Autopia Car Care as a source for great detailing supplies. We are available as a resource to your community to answer any questions you may have in regards to proper car care.

I would like to recommend our How-to Detailing Library. Currently we have more than 20 information packed articles on everything from polishing with a polisher to fixing scratched rims. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask.

Again thank you for the recognition!
The Autopia Car Care Team