Edward Helmich
New member
What's the best way to detail the engine?
Detailing the Engine
- Thread starter Edward Helmich
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
MikesToy
Banned
This is not the best way but it's the way i do it. You need the following:
- $6.00 in quarters
- Engine Foam Degreaser (brand name is: GUNK)
- Simple Green
- Meguiar's Exterior Detailer
- Two bath towels (used, and the ones that you want to throw away)
Hope you get the picture. Here's the results.
- $6.00 in quarters
- Engine Foam Degreaser (brand name is: GUNK)
- Simple Green
- Meguiar's Exterior Detailer
- Two bath towels (used, and the ones that you want to throw away)
Hope you get the picture. Here's the results.
Attachments
Either way, old or new, you'll need an assortment of brushes, a good APC (or a cleaner like Amazing Roll Off), and some old towels or mf.
Depending on how much pressure you're using (and common sense) you do or don't have to wrap up electrical components. I've used aluminum foil before, actually re-used it many times as well, because it contours easy.
Warm the motor slightly, NOT HOT, don't want to crack a block or something like that. The block should be warm to the touch. Rinse off any loose debris, and work small sections at a time. No use spraying down the whole bay as by the time you get to the other half of the bay or whatever, it will already have dried. I also have OCD though so YMMV. I've got an assortment of brushes, fine horse hair, kitchen cleaning brushes, etc. for agitation. Agitation is important, especially with old bays. Some staining on rubber hoses you'll have to re-do a few times to get them right.
Once the grime is off, dry the bay off with towels or I guess you could use compressed air as well. Next I keep a few mf that are engine bay only for certain stuff, e.g. plastics, rubber, painted areas. Usually the ones for painted areas are only used on one car and then discarded. Anyways, spray the mf with conditioner of choice, water based helps, don't want to light the thing up. I've used Meguiars #40 and Poorboys Bold N Brite. For waxing painted areas I've used Poorboys Spray Wax or you could use an acryllic sealant like Klasse or Jeff Werkstat.
This is the bay I did on my '98 Si (EX in the US), the car had around 115,000 miles:
Depending on how much pressure you're using (and common sense) you do or don't have to wrap up electrical components. I've used aluminum foil before, actually re-used it many times as well, because it contours easy.
Warm the motor slightly, NOT HOT, don't want to crack a block or something like that. The block should be warm to the touch. Rinse off any loose debris, and work small sections at a time. No use spraying down the whole bay as by the time you get to the other half of the bay or whatever, it will already have dried. I also have OCD though so YMMV. I've got an assortment of brushes, fine horse hair, kitchen cleaning brushes, etc. for agitation. Agitation is important, especially with old bays. Some staining on rubber hoses you'll have to re-do a few times to get them right.
Once the grime is off, dry the bay off with towels or I guess you could use compressed air as well. Next I keep a few mf that are engine bay only for certain stuff, e.g. plastics, rubber, painted areas. Usually the ones for painted areas are only used on one car and then discarded. Anyways, spray the mf with conditioner of choice, water based helps, don't want to light the thing up. I've used Meguiars #40 and Poorboys Bold N Brite. For waxing painted areas I've used Poorboys Spray Wax or you could use an acryllic sealant like Klasse or Jeff Werkstat.
This is the bay I did on my '98 Si (EX in the US), the car had around 115,000 miles:
Last edited:
Presta24
New member
Did u keep it running while you were psi washing it? What to avoid when washing it?
CookieRoe
Senior Member
I avoid going to the self car wash with the pressure washers. Lots of connections (hose, wires, etc) in the engine bay that I would RATHER NOT get loose because of pressure hose. (that's just me). Also, a warm engine? I guess everyone has their own method, but ALL the engine degreasers says to apply on a COLD engine. Anyway, I've used the following method since 1990. I have yet to damage anything. Hell, when my exJeep was about 10 years old, the service manager asked me if he can have "dibs" on it when I decide to sell it. Anyway:
1) Cover battery terminal with cloth or whatever (and any electric connections)
2) Prespray with a garden hose the engine to loosen any dirt
3) Apply engine degreaser, wait 5-10 min
4) Spray degreaser residue off.
5) With wet (not dripping) sponge (with car shampoo), wipe on top of the motor, firewall (if you can), airbox, down the sides of the body (next to the engine, of course, if you can reach it. Remember, there is paint here too)
6) Rinse off (garden house.........if you have a "selector sprayer", select Gentle Shower)
7) Wipe any wet surface dry with a Terry cloth, now remove cloths from battery and anything you covered with them
8) Apply some cleaner wax to the sides of the inside part of the hood and anywhere you see your car/truck's paint. Wipe off when dry.
9) Apply Meguiar's ultimate finish (for plastics....... or any product you feel comfortable with. Another suggestion is Aerospace Protectant 303) to anything that is black and/or plastic.
10) Your done!! Sit back and marvel at your "engine as it looked when she rolled off the factory floor"!
Hope this helps! :hatsoff:
1) Cover battery terminal with cloth or whatever (and any electric connections)
2) Prespray with a garden hose the engine to loosen any dirt
3) Apply engine degreaser, wait 5-10 min
4) Spray degreaser residue off.
5) With wet (not dripping) sponge (with car shampoo), wipe on top of the motor, firewall (if you can), airbox, down the sides of the body (next to the engine, of course, if you can reach it. Remember, there is paint here too)
6) Rinse off (garden house.........if you have a "selector sprayer", select Gentle Shower)
7) Wipe any wet surface dry with a Terry cloth, now remove cloths from battery and anything you covered with them
8) Apply some cleaner wax to the sides of the inside part of the hood and anywhere you see your car/truck's paint. Wipe off when dry.
9) Apply Meguiar's ultimate finish (for plastics....... or any product you feel comfortable with. Another suggestion is Aerospace Protectant 303) to anything that is black and/or plastic.
10) Your done!! Sit back and marvel at your "engine as it looked when she rolled off the factory floor"!
Hope this helps! :hatsoff:
galactic_04
New member
I'd AVOID the engine degreasers unless you have oil on the block or something. I've had them eat plastic pieces and fake chrome before. On the hoses, use a tire shine and it'll look great without scrubbing. engine cover too. For the metal components use an old rag and some soapy water (degreaser if NECESSARY). get some brushes and get off the dirt in cracks and everything, but the rag with soapy water should get most everything other than the really small areas. The tire shine will keep it shining nicely.
