I've learned a lot here about how to keep the exterior and interior of my car looking good -- but I wonder about the engine. You see all of these immaculate-looking engines at car shows. What are these people using to clean them -- or better yet, to prevent them as much as possible from getting all gunked up, as the stuff under hood is prone to do eventually in any car?

Any advice?

Thx.

 

I guess no one cleans their cars under the hood?

Or maybe this question is in the wrong forum section?

 

I know you can have your engine steam cleaned to get it immaculate. Since the 3rd gen TL has so many engine covers, I just use Aerospace 303 on all the covers to keep them looking like new since you can't really see much of the engine anyway.

 

I have also used 303 on all plastic and rubber.

 

Heres a great tip I got passed along,

1. Get some Simple Green (Automotive)...
2. Cover up battery and alternator with a plastic bag (if need be)
3. Spray Simple Green EVERYWHERE
4. Let sit for a couple minutes
5. Get a soft brush (I used a tooth brush, took about 2 hours but it looked really nice) and scrub away all the noticable grease/dirt
6. Then rinse the engine clean

Do that once and you will never try anything else again,,,and Simple Green is an automotive degreaser which is also clear coat safe....

 

So, as long as you cover the battery and distributor its OK to rinse the engine bay with water?

 

You can douse the entire engine bay on today's cars. You might want to avoid direct spray on the alternator.

Here's what I would do:

Run your car for about 5 mins, just to warm up the engine to make it eaiser to get the grease/dirt off. Hose down and Spray on Simple Green. This is the best bet as a degreaser since its not petroleum based, which is bad for the hoses, rubber and whatnot. Let that sit for several minutes. Agitate with a brush, use something like you would use for your rims. Hose it down again and let dry. For shine, spray 303 protectant or Stoners Trim Shine. Wipe down and admire your work

Now, I've used a product from Meg's called Engine Kote before that will add a protective "shell" to the surfaces. HOWEVER, if you decide to use this, DO NOT spray it on any chrome parts if you have any! I made this mistake and sprayed in on my polished Injen intake and it ruined the clear finish. So beware if you decide to use this stuff...

 

OK, cool, that's good advice. Thanks for the tips.

 

Oh yeah, and I forgot, let the car idle AFTER you do all the washing/rinsing to let all the moving parts get moving and dried up, Ive sprayed the car 6 times since Ive had the car and its never done ANY harm at all...and its on a 93, so Im sure the newer cars are even more well protected...

 

I usually use Simple Green or Meg's Extra for the engine. Use detailing brushes to get in the small areas. Shine up with Meg's Vinyl and Rubber (NXT or professional series)