Musings on engine details

Hi all,

I've had some very nice looking engines in the past. However, for me to be happy the engine has to BE clean - not just look clean from the top. I've found the only way to do this is during part of a mechanical fix where parts are removed for a repair. I've spent countless hours with WD-40 and QTips going at baked on rash on everything from engine blocks to individual bolts. To me, there's a fine line between detailing and restoration.

Although I've found cleaning engines with QTips almost theraputic in the simplistic beauty of taking the smallest part and bringing it to "almost new" results are important. I also realize that for the pro who's time is money, this level of stuff is pretty phrohibitive.

I was thinking that a good tool to have would be some sort of an open-cell foam "block" mounted on a wooden dowel. This dowel could be quite long if necessary (12" +) in order to get hard to reach areas. I'm thinking the open cell configuration would be good as it could be swirled around in your cleaner of choice to remove the nasty stuff and back at it you go.

I haven't seen anything remotely like this at detailer's stores/sites. Usually with something this funky, I find myself pressing some other purpose-built tool into service.

Anybody have any thoughts on this?

 

498 Views with no replys......Had to Bring Back from the Dead:headbang:

:shead:What is a Dowel, and am I suppose to attach it to my Cell Phone :giggle:

 

a dowel would be a round wooden stick, like a pole for example, but smaller.

 

:shead:Well, wouldn't a long handle brush serve the same purpose+ I wouldn't have to sacrafice my cell phone:giggle:

I think I see why there were no responses, but 500 Views, Wow...:chips:

 

the dowel would be smaller in diameter and could be made longer than a long handle brush, so in hindsight, it seems like a good idea.

 

Well, I have 1 of those aluminum poles that has 3 sections that allow it to expand or collapse. But dang, that things 10ft long, what kinda engines are we gonna be cleaning?

***Another side note, we have now reached 5 responses to 518 views.....Thats almost a 1% response rate :awesome:

 

My F250 diesel. I have to climb up into the engine compartment via the bumper to get to some parts of the engine on that thing. :lol:

 

i think these might help out
The Edge Foam Detailing Tips, swab detailing tips, auto detail swabs, detail swabs

 

Ya, BlackMachDown, that's the idea. Although those look a bit fine for engine work.

I was thinking about it and I'm thinking of fish tank scrubbers. They have an open cell structure to get algae off and such. I was into Oscars when I was a kid and they had all kinds of scrubbers of this type.

Ya, jack up the car. Drip pan and bucket of favorite strong cleaner (thinking Castrol SuperClean) and go to town.

OK. I haven't contributed enough. A lot of jeering from the peanut gallery from me. I will commit to doing this, documenting, and posting it here. I will start on Sat 22aug09.

 

looking forward to seeing your results. my mom has an 01 honda oddysey that has never has anything but a cheap exterior only car wash. her birthday is coming up and id like to get it looking brand new for her. also we are thinking of selling it soon so a detailing is in order either way. good luck on your diesel this weekend cant wait to see some b4 and afters.