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General => Detailing => Topic started by: Khare on 21 March 2009, 18:02

Title: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: Khare on 21 March 2009, 18:02
any tips and hits? gonna use autoglym engine cleaner spray all over the bay then jet wash then get my detailing brushes all over and get busy with them, then back to the jetwash. Any other things im missing?

what shall i cover up? alternator, battery and distribuitor?
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: Khare on 22 March 2009, 11:51
come on you scene guys must wash your engines once a week, surely you must be able to spare a hint or two.
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: Rhyso on 22 March 2009, 11:58
come on you scene guys must wash your engines once a week, surely you must be able to spare a hint or two.

i've only washed my engine bay once (need to do it again) but you've covered the basics in your own post  :smiley:

just don't aim the pressure washer too close to the important electrical bits and you should be ok
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: Khare on 22 March 2009, 12:08
just don't aim the pressure washer too close to the important electrical bits and you should be ok

thats what i thought. perfect. Gonna start getting serious about cleaning my car, washed it the other day and it still have muck on it. Need to make a trip to halfords and get myself washing mitts, drying towels, polishers, chemical, clay, and other important thingys.

Need to get rid of the millions of swirl marks I have.
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: Rhyso on 22 March 2009, 12:11
just don't aim the pressure washer too close to the important electrical bits and you should be ok

thats what i thought. perfect. Gonna start getting serious about cleaning my car, washed it the other day and it still have muck on it. Need to make a trip to halfords and get myself washing mitts, drying towels, polishers, chemical, clay, and other important thingys.

Need to get rid of the millions of swirl marks I have.

have a look at the online retailers mate - some of them do starter kits which will give you the key bits you need to get started plus you should get discount with most plus if you order today and they have it in stock you'll have everything by Wednesday at the latest  :cool:

e.g Elite Car Care - enter DW in the discount coupon box for 5% off :afro:
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: Khare on 22 March 2009, 12:26
just don't aim the pressure washer too close to the important electrical bits and you should be ok

thats what i thought. perfect. Gonna start getting serious about cleaning my car, washed it the other day and it still have muck on it. Need to make a trip to halfords and get myself washing mitts, drying towels, polishers, chemical, clay, and other important thingys.

Need to get rid of the millions of swirl marks I have.

have a look at the online retailers mate - some of them do starter kits which will give you the key bits you need to get started plus you should get discount with most plus if you order today and they have it in stock you'll have everything by Wednesday at the latest  :cool:

e.g Elite Car Care - enter DW in the discount coupon box for 5% off :afro:
You are a legend. cheers buddy!
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: Dan J on 22 March 2009, 21:54
get the engine nice and warm, spray chosen product all over, allow to soak for 5/10 mins reaply in between so it doesnt dry out, start engine and spray off detergent, be carefull of your earth cable on the engine, alarm sounder box,coilpack,dizzy cap, alternator will be fine if youve got the engine running and you dont drown it.
close bonnet,leave engine running for 15/30 mins and it should be dry enough for you to spray some dressing on.
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: Khare on 22 March 2009, 23:41
get the engine nice and warm, spray chosen product all over, allow to soak for 5/10 mins reaply in between so it doesnt dry out, start engine and spray off detergent, be carefull of your earth cable on the engine, alarm sounder box,coilpack,dizzy cap, alternator will be fine if youve got the engine running and you dont drown it.
close bonnet,leave engine running for 15/30 mins and it should be dry enough for you to spray some dressing on.
nice one. cheers dude. :afro:
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: MrClifford on 23 March 2009, 00:00
kharekatoh show us a pic of ur finished product :) gotta do mine soon, tis already pretty clean but!cant afford any equiptment at the mo so will have to do it next month!
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: Khare on 23 March 2009, 00:20
kharekatoh show us a pic of ur finished product :) gotta do mine soon, tis already pretty clean but!cant afford any equiptment at the mo so will have to do it next month!
I'l do my very very best to remember. I'l try and do a before, middle and after shot. Wanna get the engine bay nice and clean and tidy. Im not into the show and shine business, but a clean, tidy and good looking engine is so much easier and pleasing to work on.
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: Martz on 23 March 2009, 00:21
I use oven cleaner then blast it. Would not say do it as it does discolour plastics.
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: MrClifford on 23 March 2009, 00:31
i know im skint, but im not oven cleaner skint  :drool:

and khare u best so, ill get a mugshot of mine on here 2moz then when i clean it up ill post and we'll compare. not to bothered about detailing the outside, wash n polish does me!
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: Khare on 23 March 2009, 00:33
I use oven cleaner then blast it. Would not say do it as it does discolour plastics.
I wouldnt as it will away rubber in all sorts of places. 1l of autoglym engine cleaner costs about £6 from halfords, so its definitly worth it.
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: MrClifford on 23 March 2009, 00:40
Quote
halfords

bad times lol
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: Khare on 23 March 2009, 01:18
Quote
halfords

bad times lol

only good for car cleaning products and servicing bits. Never have i bought audio, performance or bling upgrades for my car from there! never have and never will!
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: MrClifford on 23 March 2009, 01:26
yup indeed!think ive only ever brought cleaning bits, sparkies(rip off 20quid for super 4's) and a drivebelt 3 quid  :grin: but since GSF has changed there ways and its not free delivery now, ebay for the win!
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: jamie_pyrite on 24 March 2009, 19:31
GSF isn't free delivery anymore?! Grrr!

Thank god for a Halfords Trade Card! :D
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: Khare on 24 March 2009, 22:00
Thank god for a Halfords Trade Card! :D
ahhhh i really wanna get one but i dont know how to  :sad:
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: boneybradley on 24 March 2009, 22:16
I use kitchen wipes to clean mine and a little bit of autoglym bumper and I have no issues with water and electrics!! I wouldn't risk a power washer with modern engines!
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k165/boneybradley/DSCN4363.jpg)
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: MrClifford on 26 March 2009, 01:37
dont look 2 bad bradley, how many miles u done in that?
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: boneybradley on 26 March 2009, 16:23
dont look 2 bad bradley, how many miles u done in that?

thats done 130000 and maybe little bit more!!  :wink:
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: Mikester on 26 March 2009, 18:16
Tbh, i think engine bay cleaning you have 2 choices.

Either remove engine, degrease, clean, polish, wax etc. Clean the engine properly and refit.

Or just dont bother.

I say this becuase when you go to a show, you will see spotless smoothed cleaned engine bays, with paintwork as good as the car body. And you just think, why did i bother? lol.
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: eightyeightmph on 27 March 2009, 16:56
Meguiars quik detailer & a poor excuse for a micro-fibre :afro:

Before
(http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m12/eightyeightmph/Golf%20Accident%20Repair/Image039.jpg)
After
(http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m12/eightyeightmph/Golf%20Accident%20Repair/Image041a.jpg)
Before
(http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m12/eightyeightmph/Golf%20Accident%20Repair/Image042.jpg)
After
(http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m12/eightyeightmph/Golf%20Accident%20Repair/Image052.jpg)
Before
(http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m12/eightyeightmph/Golf%20Accident%20Repair/Image043.jpg)
After
(http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m12/eightyeightmph/Golf%20Accident%20Repair/Image053.jpg)
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: Khare on 28 March 2009, 14:20
good difference there 88. I still havent got round to buying the products and doing it, but i shall do it soon i promise!  :smiley:
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: eightyeightmph on 28 March 2009, 16:03
That's my point though, it's an engine, it's suppose to be a bit grubby round the edges if you actually use your car anyway. Any household degreaser will tidy it up, doesn't need to involve a jet wash (not a good idea at all IMHO) or expensive products to get worthwhile results! :)
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: kells on 28 March 2009, 16:58
Here is my handy work... not too shabby compaired to what i was when i got it...which was basically the dirtiest engine iv ever seen...!!

(http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/5407/sv201810wg0.gif)

(http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/8828/sv201829nu8.gif)

(http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/7581/sv202234vr1.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

(http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/9537/isvhs2.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

(http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/5526/enginebitsdp3.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

(http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/377/rockerhm4.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

(http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/8201/engine1wt9.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: eightyeightmph on 28 March 2009, 17:03
Might of known you'd show up!  :grin:

Probably one of the best on here, AND used daily! :afro:
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: kells on 28 March 2009, 18:04
Might of known you'd show up!  :grin:

Probably one of the best on here, AND used daily! :afro:

 lol cheers matey :wink:

yeah she is used every single day no matter what the weather and covers alot of miles...takes alot of upkeep but its par for the course i guess  :cool:
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: boneybradley on 28 March 2009, 18:08
kells your o.c.d is as bad as guy's!!  :grin:
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: kells on 28 March 2009, 19:17
kells your o.c.d is as bad as guy's!!  :grin:

yeah its bad, ill have to agree with you their, not sure im as bad a guy, i dont think he gets out much hahahaha, i never planned to clean the engine so much on the golf, all started as a " ill just give it a quick wipe over", but with my other cars all having the same treatment to the engines one thing just led to another and i ended up with this...

not bad to say i dont really get any spare time to do stuff like this these days.. respect has gotta be due for keeping the old girl in such top shape.. its never easy especially after very little sleep on a weekend as im sure u can imagine..

Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: Ant on 28 March 2009, 19:35
Meguiars quik detailer & a poor excuse for a micro-fibre :afro:

Wow, that's amazing stuff, just take a look at the affect it's had on your air filter! :D
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: MrClifford on 29 March 2009, 21:48
phoaw kells thats a nice engine u got there!
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: Khare on 29 March 2009, 22:05
kells that engine really is spotless. if only mine was like that!  :rolleyes: would love a polished cam cover.
Title: Re: engine bay cleaning tips.
Post by: kells on 30 March 2009, 23:38
cheers  :cool:

was hard work getting it like that haha, and its hard work keeping it like that too been a daily driver  :evil: