Hand-detailing the engine bay.

Paintxpert

Paintxpert

New member
Tomorrow I want to spend a little time cleaning the engine bay with the slow method of doing everything by hand.



My plan is to degrease all the painted bits, rubber hoses, plastic parts, and the engine top with some Autoglym Tar Remover.



Once I have done this (using a cloth, toothbrushes, cotton swabs) I assume that I need to go over these areas to remove the degreaser? Normally this would be done with a hose and perhaps some strong shampoo, but as I am doing this by hand, how should I go about doing this?



And, how would I dry these areas?



I currently dont have any QD to go over the painted areas, would Autoglym Extra Gloss be ok?



Thanks :xyxthumbs
 
I save my old wash mitts for engines. I also use my old Absorber to dry with. It is really good at sucking up the water just by getting close to it so it is perfect for those weird areas that are hard to reach.
 
For a dirty / oily engine bay, I always use Simple Green. About 50/50 strength (SG/water).



Cover alternator, electronic ignition, PCM with plastic bags, then spray thoroughly. on warm (not hot) engine. Let stand for 10 minutes.



Rinse with a very light trickle of water, without the nozzle on the hose. I repeat, a very light stream. (this will prevent any of the chemical from getting on the car's paint.



Begin the drying process. I use old shop towels and terry towels.



Once fairly dry, I use a QD to finish up. If you don't have QD, you can use Window cleaner.



Works for me.......(see my engine pics below!)
 
Simple Green isnt something we can get in this country, I dont know what the alternative is :o



As I said in my first post, I dont want to use a hose as I am working in the garage with limited space.



:)
 
NickATRvtec- You can just use a bucket with rinse water instead of a hose. Not sure what you have over there for cleaning off the degreaser...how about P21S Total Auto Wash (citrus degreaser)? If not that, just use some car wash solution. Rubbing alcohol can be a good cleaner too. Instead of the Autoglym Extra Gloss, I'd use their SRP on the painted bits. I even use it on plastic and metal- good stuff.
 
Thanks :)



I'm going to use this Autoglym Tar Remover (says its a degreaser also), and then plain diswash afterwards which will be washed off with a bottle of water, very carefully!



I dont actually have any SR left :doh so I was thinking just use EG for now :rolleyes:
 
Widow cleaner works well, spray it on a small towel/cloth and wipe away. Follow that up with a bit of QD or 303. Just be careful, when you get you hands down there and loosen up a vacuum hose or unplug a sensor by accident it'll drive you crazy asking yourself why the car won't start...........AMHIK :eek:
 
I use autoglym engine cleaner, soappy wayer and and old paintbrush, then rinse using a spary bottle and water, dry with a old autoglym synthetic shammie, gets the engine nice and clean with out sooaking it. Then just dress with 303 and autoglym viynal and rubber care, and polish paint with whatever im currently using on the car.
 
It might be worth checking with Autoglym about using Tar Remover on rubber. I have had success with Engine Cleaner before, but if running water is a problem how about mixing with water, spraying on and rince with an old sponge.



I also use Resin on engine paintwork with Extra Gloss and One Grand or Wack on the rubber which gives a nice matt sheen. Carb cleaner is useful for very dirty parts.



Whilst your in the engine bay, check all the connections are nice and clean. Not only does this give a cleaner look it also stops most problems with sensors giving strange readings.



Steven
 
Managed to get it done today :)



I think I will be a bit more careful next time though :o Whilst waxing the underside of the bonnet, I slipped and hit a sharp ridge and sliced half of my thumb-nail off and nearly passed out :eek: :nono :(



Apart from that, it wasnt too bad a job.



I used some old TW 'Extreme' cleaner wax on the paint, and put on some TW 'Gloss Guard' afterwards for protection.



Used Megs Endurance HG on the plastic and hoses and it came out nice and dark/glossy.



My only bother was trying to clean the engine surface properly. Because the paint is a rough finish-type, it was difficult to clean and I ended up leaving it as I wasnt sure what to use to do it properly :nixweiss
 
My only bother was trying to clean the engine surface properly. Because the paint is a rough finish-type, it was difficult to clean and I ended up leaving it as I wasnt sure what to use to do it properly



Paint brush :up sounds daft but works well



Now you can say you've sweated blood and tears for your car :)



Steven
 
:D



Ive just taken a Ibruprofen, it was hurting too much :(



I'll give the paintbrush a go! Shall I use the Autoglym Tar Remover with it? What should I put on afterwards to brighten it up a bit?
 
Aerosol Brake Parts cleaner sprayed onto q-tips or medical swabs is one of your best methods to get dirt and grease out of the tiny areas all around the engine bay. It also can be sprayed directly on metal and aluminum as it will blow dirt and grease out of castings and crevices. It will not harm paint but be careful on "some" plastics. It's my absolute most used solvent. :up
 
I use Carb Cleaner to remove the gunk old window tinting leaves behind .. ;)





Just be prepared to see things 'differently' when youve done all the windows in a 2 hour period.



:xyxthumbs
 
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