'98 Corvette with some Ugly "Flames"...

D

dengelson

New member
Well I guess it has been too long since I opened the hood on the minivan. This is about 20,000 miles worth of accumulated road crud.
 
First I warmed up the engine then I sprayed the whole compartment liberally with Meguiar's "Extra" (third product down on the link) spray on degreaser. I let the cleaner sit for approximately 3 minutes then started the engine back up and sprayed it clean with the hose while directing it away form electrical components as much as possible.

This shot is after I sprayed the degreaser off. :up
 
Used Meguirs Vinyl/Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner #40 on a foam applicator to dress the hoses and sundry plastic parts. I didn't time myself but I'd say the whole process took about a half an hour and that includes driving the van around after spraying it with the hose.



I'm pretty impressed with the product. This is the second engine that I've done with "Extra". It seems to me to be a similiar formula to Castrol Super Clean. Like the castrol it can be harsh on bare aluminum castings.



This probably isn't the way that you would want to clean a concourse entrant but, it works pretty good for the everyday kid hauler.
 
Maybe this picture should have gone before the one above. This is after spraying off the degreaser but, before the dressing.
 
I spoke with my mechanic and he told me that unless there is a problem like a leak that needs to be found, the engine shouldn't be degreased and cleaned as I had planned to do. The reason he gave was that some of the grease and stuff all over the engine would be relocated to new nooks and crannies that I can't reach, like part of the pulley system, which potentially could cause problems.



Thoughts? I really want to clean the engine, it is beautiful. Perhaps I'll just do it the hard way, area by area. That'll occupy me for a while...
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by puterbum [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>BTW, good job Short Cut! How long did it take you? [/b]</blockquote>
It only took about a half an hour, maybe 40 minutes tops. I also used 1 ounce to a half gallon of warm water and 3M Shampoo with an older washmit and washed the inside of the hood and beneath the wipers then trashed the mit when I was done.

Thanks for the compliments. Besides doing this for yourself it would make sense to also do it before selling a vehicle or before bringing it to the mechanic. I do most of my motorcycle work myself and I always wash the machine first. When I've had to bring a bike in for service I give it the same clean treatment and it has <strong class='bbc'>never[/b] failed to get an acknowledgement or thank you. I figure it can't hurt to show the mechanic that the motorcycle or car belongs to someone who takes care of their equipment.
 
:up ..............i never heard that before about relocating the gunk...and pulley probs.....anybody know if thats true or not.....what yr is that minivan....i thought the spraying water directly in there without covering up the electronic stuff was a no-no...but who cares...great job......i love that meguiars extra stuff....i use it for all the stuff around the house...gets almost everything off...i havent used it that much on the car yet though.....i think its alot friendlier than EF stuff...again...awesome...
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by FLONI [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>what yr is that minivan....i thought the spraying water directly in there without covering up the electronic stuff was a no-no...but who cares...great job[/b]</blockquote>
It's a '96 model purchased the last couple of days of January '97 (good time of the year to buy a new car). The poor thing has never been in the garage because that's where the motorcycles live.

I turn down the water pressure and start the engine before spraying. It is better to use a moderate flow of water from a hose without a nozzle for reduced directional water pressure. After hosing the engine off I like to drive it for 10 minutes or more to help dry off the engine and components.
 
'98 Corvette with some Ugly "Flames"...

Otherwise a very nice car! Oh well, not mine to judge. Typical Corvette Rock-Hard Clear!!!!:Boxing:

Exterior polishing, 2 step as follows:


Wash ONR
Claybar Zaino Red
Polish with Griots RO/M105/LC Orange Flat/Speed 5 Heavy Pressure/KBM
Finish polish Griots RO/M205/LC White Flat/Speed 4 Medium Pressure/KBM
Wet Diamond
Z8 to finish
Tires - Zaino Perfect Tire Shine

BEFORE:

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Some AFTERS: I ain't feelin' those white things!!!:banghead:

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Looks great Bill being a corvette owner i have to agree about the stripes and also the emblem over the marker light.Like they say To Each His Own
 
Bill,

Are those flames or clouds? Wow, you are absolutely right. Whatever it is it's ugly:confused: Why would you do that to such a beautiful car.

Anyway, great turnaround. What size pads did you use? 5.5 or 6?
 
bmw5541 said:
Bill,

Are those flames or clouds? Wow, you are absolutely right. Whatever it is it's ugly:confused: Why would you do that to such a beautiful car.

Anyway, great turnaround. What size pads did you use? 5.5 or 6?
Click to expand...

Ya got me! I don't know how he could have explained what he wanted to the painter!!! (LOL) :rofl:

I always use 5.5 pads.

(That Griot's machine is a beast!:devil: Closest thing to a rotary I've ever used. I COULD NOT make that pad stop spinning, no matter now much pressure I applied!)
 
Luster said:
Ya got me! I don't know how he could have explained what he wanted to the painter!!! (LOL) :rofl:

I always use 5.5 pads.

(That Griot's machine is a beast!:devil: Closest thing to a rotary I've ever used. I COULD NOT make that pad stop spinning, no matter now much pressure I applied!)
Click to expand...

I know what you mean about the GG RO. I used mine for the first time last weekend on my wife's new Camery. It made easy work of things.
 
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