So what does everyone use to give the engine compartment a nice new look, mines is filthy right now and really needs to be clean. Will water and rag do, er do i need some chemical?

 

simple green...good stuff

 

Simple green spray, let it set for a few minutes. Then a slow steady stream of water.

Be sure to cover the alternator and any exposed electrical parts with pastic.

 

Simple green huh, the automotive or regular?, sorry but what else should i cover except the alternator?

 

Gunk to clean,Eagle One for a lasting shine

 

use gunk to clean it....then rinse that off...of course remember to always cover electrical. then to make a real lasting shine. this may sound weird but it always works for me and lasts forever im talkin months. after the engine dries spray armor all tirefoam over the whole enginebay and then close the hood and drive it around for like 10 min. the heat bakes it into the plastic and such. it will last a lonnnggg time

 

A lot of detailers I know do that.

Looks good but it's a pain in da ass when you try to check something under the hood and get it all over you.

 

Mine is still fairly clean, so when I wipe it down, I just used some simple green, and wipe it up with a moist sponge. I'm not a big fan of letting water in my engine bay. Then I just dry and put on some protectant on the plastic parts. Looks OK to me.

 

I use Greased Lightning. You can get it in most auto stores. And It works!

 

what do you mean by "put plastic over the electronics"? like plastic baggies? or seran wrap?

and what electronics besides the alternator? ANY wires? that would be a lot of work., or just anything immediately visible? I would imagine it wouldn't be THAT bad to bot cover them up. I know there are some wires on the underbody that get sprayed with water all the time fromt eh rain.


we should obviously cover up the CAI filter too right?

 

i usually just cover up the fuses and alternator....just really open looking stuff....

 

it's all designed to get wet, ya foos. Spray away and try not to get any on the paint.

 

yup, you dont need to cover anything other than a CAI filter, just dont hit it with high pressure and you are all good

 

i spray simple green or some of that orange cleaner and let it sit for a few minutes. then everything is rinsed off real good. i then start the engine and let things heat up and get steamy while i clean the wheels or something. then i wipe everything down with a damp rag.

 

Water

Try the high pressure sprayer at the car wash. Use the Tire Foam Silicone on the Engine Cover and Hoses to make them look new.

 

I second the simple green but I then use a shop vac and blow everything dry including the alternator and electrical connections. I usually then treat the plastic and rubber parts as well. Havent tried the tire shine all over everything. interesting. I'd be afraid it would collect dust like crazy.

 

Dust, road debris, it collects everything. I wouldn't suggest using the tire stuff.