Best way to detail the engine bay?

[Dr.Scientist]

How do you go about cleaning up your engine bay? I'm one of those people who just doesn't think its a very good idea to just take it to the power washer (self car wash) and blast the crap out of it. How do you do it? What is the best way for the car?

 

[duh09]

It's pretty simple, just don't go hosing your distributor/electronics. I just use Simple Green. Spray it on, let it soak for a minute or two, rinse it off. If it's real greasy, you might need to scrub a little bit but it's easy.

 

[GREG@SN95]

power washer will do a better job... spray all purpose on everything... try to avoid distributor and wires but you won't hurt anything getting it wet. Then power wash off... just don't get to close with the wand and destroy anything...

On a really greasy motor... wd40 works great too... Get the motor good and hot and spray it on and let it cook off... Thats an old timer trick...

 

[GREG@SN95]

And if you try this and the car won't start... pop the cap off the distributor and spray some wd40 in there and let it air out for a few minutes...

 

[mygreengt]

Ive heard its best to leave the car running while you spray it down. Avoid air cleaner though

 

[kissrocksforever]

I use a little tool called the Tornador - youtube it.

Its high pressure sprayer, doesnt use much liquid at all, easy to control, and is amazing. After I get the majority of the crap off with it I just spray the whole engine with tire shine. works like a charm.

 

[Sinned83]

apc to clean it and a water based dressing after looks bomb.

 

[wytstang]

Agree with the above. I would add to let the car idle for a minute of 2 to get it warm not hot but warm. It will help "loosen" grease/oil and make it easier to hose off.

 

[Dalamar]

Agree +3


when dry, brush on silk shine dressing on plastics and rubber

 

[Dr.Scientist]

I use a little tool called the Tornador - youtube it.

Its high pressure sprayer, doesnt use much liquid at all, easy to control, and is amazing. After I get the majority of the crap off with it I just spray the whole engine with tire shine. works like a charm.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I was always a little wary of spraying the engine when it was hot... for the effect that water has on some different kinds of hot stuff.

I love that tornador thing though. The vids make it look awesome and I think we used to have something similar to it back when I was a detail boy for the ford house about 10 years ago. When I was just a teen lol. It worked freaking awesome, I had completely forgot about that thing. I'm going to save up for a tornador.