When I first thought about detaling the engine bay all that came to me was blowing fuses, shorting circuits out and well the vehicle not starting. I have a friend who's a mechanic and takes care of my Volvo and the beater Jeep. So before I got near an engine bay to detail it I checked with my friend as to how to detail an engine bay. Basically my friend said that it all depends on the vehicle, the new vehicles are well covered with plastic panels that hardly any water gets through to the electrical components/sensative components. In some vehicles I've done I can't even see the air intake. But when it comes to doing some older vehicles (mid or late 90's) you have to be very carefull with the alternator, spark plugs and intake. So what I've done is I use a garbage bag and cover up the alternator, the spark plugs I cover with some old micro fiber towels or old rags and same with the air in take (I stuff a towe inside the air in take). So far I haven't had any problems with detailing the engine bay and I'd like to keep it that way but I'd like to hear how others are detailing the engine bays and if you got any pictures then please post them up, I'll check to see if I got any if I do I'll post them up.
Your air intake is in that plastic box with a honey comb plastic around it. I use a bag on the alternator, and cover the fuse box and remove the filter and plug the air intake. I sometimes steam the engine and sometimes I just hose it down. Some people say don't steam the engine, but I only use it on certain parts. On Vettes Camaros and T/A's I go nuts with the plastic wrap. Older Nissan Maxima's wit the 3.5 and Mercury Villagers have some weird spark plugs deep in the back where water can pool, so that is something that you want to steam. I find that a lot of American cars don't have too many problems with water in the engine. WAYY back in the day I detailed a Grand Prix and I didn't cover much besides the distributor and air filter. I can't find the pics at this moment, but it turned out okay. Product wise I really like that new GUNK citrus engine brite, the old GUNK stuff was like gas! I have a few details coming up so maybe I will post some pictures.
I can't say I've ever steamed an engine but that's something I would love to try, you'd think steaming would be safer (if that's a word lol). I know what you mean about spark plugs though, when I detailed the engine bay of my Volvo water must have accumulated near or around the spark plugs because it rode rough for a day or two. It must have dried up because the Volvo is back to it's normal driving conditions. Oh another thing is dressing the engine bay, I've used a few aerosol products. Some people say don't use them because it could cause a fire on the engine bay. I asked my friend this question as well. He told me that there is a risk of a fire on the old school vehicles but the new ones not likely. He did recommend water based products but both would work just fine as long as they are used properly. Since my friend recommended water based products I switched over to Optimum Protection Plus on the engine bay, looks great and I haven't had a problem with it...mind you I never had a problem with aerosol cans either.
Engine COLD- cover everything with aluminum foil Lightly spray with water- spray on Amazing Roll Off- let sit a few minutes Use brush on bad areas- lightly rinse with water Remove aluminum foil- blow dry with electric leaf blower- turn engine on- continue with leaf blower for another minute or so Let engine get to full operating temp Turn engine off- spray on AA foam- close hood Later on, wipe away excess
I don't like 95% of the aerosol dressings because they attract dust. I shake my head when i see how many people on AGO use Armorall Foaming tire dressing on their engines. It is an okay tire dressing, but it won't do in the engine bay. Try using it on 1/2 the engine and you will see a huge difference!
i use the pressure washer on every car i do (4-6 a day,) and they fire rightup everytime. these are all newer vehicles though, please keep that in mind. then again, i do the same to my 89 and my 91 civic... its not as big a deal as people make it seem IMHO
I use the wand at the wash for everything. On the older German cars you have to be very careful because they are known to have issues. Other than that, just dont get right in there and spray it hard, stand back a bit
303, HD, #40, spray dressings work great. Sometimes I used Meguiar's Gold class trim dressing as well. I need to try optimum PP. haha, sorry for hating on your methods
No its cool, Im trying to learn. It was Justins trick anyway, so I should probably try something new. Ill have to try some 303. What is the durability like on engine bays? I know it isnt anything too special on trim.
my routine... open bonnet (hood) aim power washer pull trigger soap up and scrub. aim power washer pull trigger blast away water with air line turn car on for 10 mins turn off wash rest of car. open bonnet (hood) apply aerospace 303 or trim sheen or black wow depending on my mood.. job done.. all modern cars can take a good power washing so no need to worry!!
Ronnie, it took me a long time to figuire out what a "bonnet" was...hahahaha thought it was the trunk hahahahaha...I still get a kick out of it though lol...bonnet...briliant hahahahahaha.
