Engine bay cleaning tips?

[Chewie4299]

Hey fellas,
I've had my car opticoated when new and more recently (wish I did it when new ) I had the whole front end Xpel'd

I really like the way the car cleans up. I don't have the time to wash it frequently. I'm hoping to be able to do a hand wash about every three weeks and a touchless wash at least once a week during the summer.

Even some sap that managed to hit the hood after the Xpel film was on came off super easy.

I don't drive the car full time as I have a beater I try to put the miles on but I drive a LOT. I'm already at nearly 18k miles sinec 6/28/12.





Anyway, I'm finding that I'm satisfied with how the exterior cleans up but I've driven the car through some really sandy/salty/shitty shit and the engine bay looks like crap.

What are the best ways of cleaning all the dust and dirt out? I don't necessarily want to go in there with a q-tip and then wax all the exposed body color but I hate the fact that it's so dirty.

Are there any products I can spray over the whole engine bay, let sit, and then hose off to remove the bulk of the crap? Would such a method be safe?

I'm not looking for the MOST thorough technique but I'd still like to do a good job.

Thanks for any input.

[*KID*]

just pressure wash it, wipe it off with the Griots dry towel (make sure you wash it afterwards) and thats pretty much it. Unless you still have a few water marks just use a quick detail spray and wipe it down. Its that simple once a car is opticoated.

[markitect]

I've tried a few designated engine bay cleaners, and wasn't that impressed. Most of them are really designed for grease, not dirt.

At a fraction of the price, and in my opinion better I use Simple Green. Spray on everything(cold engine), wait 5 min, and hose. I use 1:4 mix of the concentrate.

[nalc]

I've used Simple Green with good results on my previous cars, but only ever spraying and wiping with a paper towel, never hosing it off. That sounds easier and more thorough, but has anyone had issues with water getting where it doesn't belong?

[Greg Nichols]

Simple green will tarnish any alum in the bay.

If you just need a dust off then like KID stated above you'll be fine.

If you need to remove grit and grime: Optimum powerclean 10:1 with filtered water works well after agitation and rinse.

I like to use CD2 engine dressing. If allowed to "cure" on the plastic bits and hoses then wipe off excess leaves a nice finish. It will have great durabilty compared to other QDs and in most cases will just need a damp cloth every now and the to spurce up. Its doesn't attract dust like other silicone based or oil based dressings.

303 aerospace protectant is also great, and it can be used for tires and interiors.

Cheers,
GREG

[sklimo]

Where is @Clembo???? He's got the cleanest engine bay in the world!!!

[chenshuo]

I just washed my engine bay this past weekend. Prior to, i've never washed the engine bay mainly because i was afraid to damage any electrical components. After reading and watching multiple engine bay cleaning how-to's, i've done it, and it was easy. Here is how i did it:

0. Bright early in the morning, when engine is cold, car has not been driven.
1. Use saran wrap to cover the alternator and any wiring that doesn't have black taping wrapped around.
2. Mix Simple Green Max 1:3 ratio and spray liberally on dry engine bay
3. Wait 3 minutes and hose it down with "spray" setting on my garden hose.
4. wipe off majority of the water
5. turn on the car and drive it fast and hot so water evaporates.

[Razz]

Driving through salt conditions means you will have to do it b hand after you use the hose.

That's the only way to get off the grime.

[Clembo]

Originally Posted by sklimo

Where is @Clembo???? He's got the cleanest engine bay in the world!!!

The trick is to never let it get too dirty in the first place. It's not easy though when you drive a lot, especially in winter. When the car was new I waxed everything I could reach under the hood. Now I just wipe it down with detailer after a few runs but before it gets too bad.

PS - it helps to be retired and have nothing better to do...

[Clembo]

I really can't help here as I don't know how sensitive the electronics are in these cars. I know my Mustang's COPs cannot take being wet at all - it shorts them out and ruins the plugs. Have a friend who's replaced his plugs and COPs twice - big $$$s each time.

A lot easier in the old days when all you did was put a plastic bag over the distributor, spray the Gumout and hose things down.