It's time clean and detail the engine compartment. Does anyone have a good product or products to clean and protect under the hood? This is from this winter.
Time for an under hood detail.
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I'm a simple person that likes to keep it simple so I would use SimpleGreen. I have take car wash soap and a bucket but I think SimpleGreen will work fine.
I'm also a simple green user. I used to use the green stuff, but after doing some reading, it was suggested to use the Purple HD version because it is less corrosive on metals. I didn't notice an issue before with the green stuff though.
http://simplegreen.com/products/pro-hd-cleaner-degreaser/
I usually hose down the engine bay, then spray the cleaner on, let it soak for 10 minutes, then hose back off. Just the normal water pressure, no pressure or even a nozzle. I spray again and wipe down with a rag if needed.
http://simplegreen.com/products/pro-hd-cleaner-degreaser/
I usually hose down the engine bay, then spray the cleaner on, let it soak for 10 minutes, then hose back off. Just the normal water pressure, no pressure or even a nozzle. I spray again and wipe down with a rag if needed.
A hot water pressure washer would deal with it in a few minutes.
But here is the deal, while it looks a little ugly its probably not causing any hard to the engine or related accessories. But with all the electronics under the hood its always possible you could cause an issue by spraying water. There are more electronic every year.
So an option might be to spray some cleaner on the areas (engine cover) that look the worst and wipe off with a rag.
But here is the deal, while it looks a little ugly its probably not causing any hard to the engine or related accessories. But with all the electronics under the hood its always possible you could cause an issue by spraying water. There are more electronic every year.
So an option might be to spray some cleaner on the areas (engine cover) that look the worst and wipe off with a rag.
Maybe air compressor to get the loose stuff and then spray and wipe. I wouldn't use a hose.
Start with a cool engine. Spray on some purple power or simple green. Hit the real dirty places with a parts brush. Spray off with garden hose, don't go crazy like spraying a gallon of water right into the alternator. Finish by drying it with your leaf blower and then your favorite engine detailer like CD2 or the gunk engine brite.
After the soap and water use Pledge Furniture Polish. Spray on, wipe off. Leaves no streaks, no discoloration in areas that rag can't reach like regular wax or polish.
I use Simple Green as well with good results. If you want to go high end use Total Cycle Cleaner. It does an amazing job and is safe.
I see a lot of 'plastic'. That should clean up nicely.
Suggestion: Take tin-foul and wrap it around any electronics you don't want getting wet.
After washing, I used Sonus (SON-720).
It's an Engine & Plastic Trim Acrylic sealant.
It contains no petroleum distilates
I had to order on E-BAY.
Suggestion: Take tin-foul and wrap it around any electronics you don't want getting wet.
After washing, I used Sonus (SON-720).
It's an Engine & Plastic Trim Acrylic sealant.
It contains no petroleum distilates
I had to order on E-BAY.
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Originally Posted By: OneEyeJack
Pledge Furniture Polish.
I use this as well. Works GREAT! Leaves no sticky wet residue,doesn't attract dust/dirt,doesn't make it look wet and glossy,and won't dry rot the rubber/plastic like vinyl protectants can. BUT,it will attract honey bees haha,they'll start flying all around my engine bay as soon as I spray the Pledge. Maybe they're attracted to the lemon scent?
Pledge Furniture Polish.
I use this as well. Works GREAT! Leaves no sticky wet residue,doesn't attract dust/dirt,doesn't make it look wet and glossy,and won't dry rot the rubber/plastic like vinyl protectants can. BUT,it will attract honey bees haha,they'll start flying all around my engine bay as soon as I spray the Pledge. Maybe they're attracted to the lemon scent?
Pledge works wonders. I was turned onto it by a guy that does convertible tops. It's what he recommended for detail work. And it works great.
Pledge huh? That's new to me! I've always been concerned that simple green will eat away the the paint under the hood.
Its simple.
Tire dressing and a light metal oil/lubricant...and towels- a whole lot of towels.
Tire dressing and a light metal oil/lubricant...and towels- a whole lot of towels.
Stoner Trim Shine after you get the engine clean and dry.
Be sure to use Pledge on the battery. No grease needed. It will look new on the day it dies.
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Here's my 20 year old Pledge'd engine bay:
Originally Posted By: bandz7
Start with a cool engine. Spray on some purple power or simple green. Hit the real dirty places with a parts brush. Spray off with garden hose, don't go crazy like spraying a gallon of water right into the alternator. Finish by drying it with your leaf blower and then your favorite engine detailer like CD2 or the gunk engine brite.
This is basically what I do. I use Purple Power degreaser diluted with 2-3 parts water in a pump-up garden sprayer. Instead of a specialized engine detailer spray I use Meguiar's Hyper Dressing diluted with two parts water.
Start with a cool engine. Spray on some purple power or simple green. Hit the real dirty places with a parts brush. Spray off with garden hose, don't go crazy like spraying a gallon of water right into the alternator. Finish by drying it with your leaf blower and then your favorite engine detailer like CD2 or the gunk engine brite.
This is basically what I do. I use Purple Power degreaser diluted with 2-3 parts water in a pump-up garden sprayer. Instead of a specialized engine detailer spray I use Meguiar's Hyper Dressing diluted with two parts water.
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