Engine bay detail

[BamaDetail]

I'm curious to hear some different steps and opinions on the "proper" engine bay detail. I have a few different methods that I've used but wanna kick it up a notch and make it even better! Thanks!

[Ricky Bobby]

You'll need a decent amount of APC if the engine bay hasn't been done in a while.  Sometimes I'll have to break out the Meg's D108 if the grime is really bad as well.

 

Soak the hell out of the engine bay at full strength and in the shade.  Make sure to have a ton of brushes handy to get into cracks and crevices and spray it down and use brushes to agitate any grime.  If you have access to warm water on your hose, its also very helpful, as the warm water will wash away the grime easier than cold water.

 

Make sure you cover up your ignition coils and the exposed air filter if you have one.

 

I use my RedMax backpack blower to blow out the extra water when done doing the rinse, then wipe down any extra water with a few cheapo MF towels.  When dry, I dress the plastics with Super VRT and In & Out Spray.

 

Don't use a pressure washer on the engine bay obviously.

[Chris@Adams]

I too use APC after blasting the worst off with power washer. Then after spraying the engine bay down I take the Adam's fender brush and go over everything. Then hose off ......blow off with Master Blaster. Now you can apply SVRT & In&outspray.

[mc2hill]

With newer cars I use Rinseless wash, mixed at the wash dilution, in a 1/2 gallon pump-up sprayer and lots of terry cloth towels.  Soak everything down and soak down one of the towels.  Wipe down with the damp towel, and go over it with a dry towel.  Some take 2 towels, some take many more.  Dress the plastics with some SVRT milk.

[Fierce5]

This is what I do:

 

1) I spray All Purpose Cleaner liberally all over the bay and let it sit for few minutes.

2) Agitate by brushing the bay with a fender or wheel brush then let it sit for few more minutes

3) spray All Purpose Cleaner again in all the nooks and crannies and use smaller brushers to agitate these areas

4) I use a steamer to remove any tough grime or stubborn dirt and stains

5) Rinse

6) Apply SVRT & In & Out Spray

[GXPaycheck]

Watch the Adam's video too!

[TheBurninator]

Another tip for you is start at the bottom of the bay and work your way to the top. The grimiest stuff is usually towards the bottom/ frame rails. You won't have stuff dripping down on you from washing the underside of the hood first that way either.

 

I like to use a steam cleaner in spots that aren't easily accessible or have really tough grime.

 

Lots of different brushes. Wheel woolies, etc etc.

 

Personally I don't like In and Out Spray. So I dilute VRT and spray it for a dressing.

[FXR500]

It isn't perfect, but I cleaned up the engine bay of my daily driver F-150 this morning.

 

I used APC full strength and some old brushes. It took a couple of passes to get the majority of the grime off. Once it was clean and dry, I hit the big plastic and hoses with some VRT milk.

[TheBurninator]

Turned out really nice

[BamaDetail]

Turned out great!

[Rick72]

With newer cars I use Rinseless wash, mixed at the wash dilution, in a 1/2 gallon pump-up sprayer and lots of terry cloth towels.  Soak everything down and soak down one of the towels.  Wipe down with the damp towel, and go over it with a dry towel.  Some take 2 towels, some take many more.  Dress the plastics with some SVRT milk.

Love this idea. My engine bay never really gets dirty and this is an awesome solution.

[Rick72]

Engine and headliners are the two things I have always been afraid of cleaning. I do wipe downs in the engine bay often but would love to hit it with APC and a light hose mist. Just air intake and Alternator is all I need to really worry about ?

[blcksilv08]

Its really not a big deal if they get a little wet, just don't soak them down. Same goes for the fuse box or modules. Anything modern will have weather pack style connecters that are moisture resistant but not waterproof.

[IrishCurse]

I WILL NOT use a pressure washer on the engine bay.  There are just too many electrical connections, fuses, and other delicate surfaces to consider.  Ample use of the APCis the name of the game, as is use of the right brushes to agitate the grime.

[Ricky Bobby]

No pressure washer in the engine bay.

 

But no harm in spraying down with apc and a regular hose, just be sure it's dry before driving, and as long as you aren't submerging any ignition coils, alternator or exposed air filter, no worries with water intrusion in the bay.

[Bluezey]

I use a pressure washer in the engine bay, and the only time I had any trouble was with the '02 Durango.

I just don't soak the electrics.

 

But each to their own!

 

 

Shine On

Bluezey :pc7424: 

[Adam]

Here's a tip:  Mixe some SVRT, 80% with water.  Shake, and spray the engine down.  Let dry, and WOW!!!