How to detail an engine?

I just did my girlfriends engine yesterday (2002 ford escort), I didn't cover anything and rinsed the degreaser with a light mist - medium spray, afterwards I just soaked up any pools of water I saw and let the car sit and dry. I didn't have any problems.



(used the routine from another thread on the engine, zep citrus degreaser 1:1, rinse, dry and armor all tire foam) It turned out pretty good.

Before





After

 
I sprayed my engine bay down with my fireman nozzle from Sears, sprayed APC (make sure you cover aluminum because it stained my front strut tower bar), hosed it off and applied CD-2.



My car runs perfectly fine if not better with the cleaner engine bay. I didn't cover any electrical components but I did make sure to disconnect the battery terminals. I wouldn't suggest using a pressure washer as a regular hose will do just fine considering the degreaser and a brush should be doing most of the work anyway.



In the end, enjoy the results!
 
OK, so it goes like this?



Disconnect battery cables and cover air intake and other electrical plugs

Lightly spray down the engine with water

Spray on degreaser of choice

Scrub dirty area with brush if needed

Allow degreaser to sit and do its work for a bit

Lightly spray down with water (non-pressurized)

Dry with towels

Start engine and let it run 15 minutes

Apply water based dressing to all plastic engine parts



Does that about do it?
 
To what extent in your guys' experience has the aluminum been stained? Just something to keep in mind in case I run across it in the future...Is it something light that a polish could remove or much worse?



I just used some foil, SG, and used a brush, then rinsed with just the normal hose, no pressure washer. Dressing it I am a little more picky, use either 303 or Poorboys B n B with an applicator and to the whole thing by hand = \
 
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