recommended products to make the engine shine?

[Tino D'Voe]

I tried doing an enging wash yesterday on my car. I used some gunk brite stuff and rinsed it off. It definately cleaned it up but I`d like to make it sparkle! I have lots of poorboy products and some 303. Are any of these recommended for under the hood? Where can I find this CD2 stuff in Canada? it doesn`t seem to exist here.

[TrueDetailer]

Use whatever you have that is waterbased.

[Beemerboy]

Water based product like bold and bright would be a good choice.... I spray on them wipe off electrical areas so as not to drip into the alternator and the likes....Then I start the engine and run for 5 minutes to dry it up....has worked for me

[Anthony A]

Use whatever you have that is waterbased.

I agree with this.


It seems that the CD2 Engine Detailer is highly recommended by some on this board but there is no way this stuff is water based. It is very greasy and slimy and although it looks good I don`t know how good this is for the rubber and plastic.

[hemin8r]

After I wash the engine I top it with WD 40, let it sit & then wipe the more visible areas. Seems to work pretty good for me. I`ll turn the engine on for a while once I`m all done with the complete detail & let it run for a couple of minutes so the smell of the WD 40 can go away.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b392/Hemin8r/2002%20Mustang%20Detail/Picture001.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b392/Hemin8r/2002%20Mustang%20Detail/Picture033.jpg

[lonewolf0420]

That looks great. I`m still to nervous to detail anything under the hood.

[joyriide1113]

That looks great. I`m still to nervous to detail anything under the hood.

I was too, and still get the jitters everytime I start, but nothing bad has happened.

[budman3]

After I wash the engine I top it with WD 40, let it sit & then wipe the more visible areas. Seems to work pretty good for me. I`ll turn the engine on for a while once I`m all done with the complete detail & let it run for a couple of minutes so the smell of the WD 40 can go away.

Not so sure this is a good idea for engine details. WD 40 is flammable so I must assume that you run the risk of a fire under the hood from the WD 40. It also wouldn`t fare too well in the altinator or near the battery either.

[Anthony A]

Not so sure this is a good idea for engine details. WD 40 is flammable so I must assume that you run the risk of a fire under the hood from the WD 40. It also wouldn`t fare too well in the altinator or near the battery either.


WD 40 under the hood? Hmm this just isn`t something I would do or recommend.

[hemin8r]

I`ve done several engines using WD40 & never had any issues. I`ve even sprayed some on metal & held a torch to it & no fire. I don`t spray into the alternator nor on the battery terminals nor spray a huge amount onto one spot. I lightly mist over the engine let it sit & wipe the accessible areas. If the method I am using is for sure not a good idea & you know for a fact please let me know I am open to new ideas & methods. Thus far this has worked for me.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b392/Hemin8r/300Z/a4d13d72.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b392/Hemin8r/300Z/49f37c44.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b392/Hemin8r/2002%20Mustang%20GT%20Detail/01EngineBefore.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b392/Hemin8r/2002%20Mustang%20GT%20Detail/03EngineAfter.jpg

[Anthony A]

I`ve done several engines using WD40 & never had any issues. I`ve even sprayed some on metal & held a torch to it & no fire. I don`t spray into the alternator nor on the battery terminals nor spray a huge amount onto one spot. I lightly mist over the engine let it sit & wipe the accessible areas. If the method I am using is for sure not a good idea & you know for a fact please let me know I am open to new ideas & methods. Thus far this has worked for me.


I can`t give you any scientific facts or chemistry about why WD40 is not a good idea. I look at it this way. It`s not made for what you are doing with it. There are plenty of products that are. So why use a flammable solvent in a hot engine? Clean it with an APC. Than dress with one of the hundreds of the water based dressing available. I just can`t see WD40 being good for rubber and plastic. Add the fire risk and I see no good reason to use it. Your before and after pics are very nice but I think they are the result of process more than product. I have no doubt you could have achieved the same excellent results with an APC and 303.

[harry444]

Not to mention that WD-40 is a oil product if you want to atract dust and dirt wipe your engine down with a oil product...

[Deanski]

303 for me. Only on rubber/plastic/vinyl parts. All areas wiped as well.

Painted areas, a good QD will work or any spray/wax on those areas.

I polish metal by hand with Flitz.

I`d stay away from any oil based products for the reason given above: Easy dust/dirt attraction.

Deanski

[hemin8r]

I`ll try a water based product next time. Only because this has worked for me I didn`t bother using anything else. Never had any problems with attracting dirt/dust. I have a lifted truck in which I spray the suspension & frame followed by wiping it down. Stays clean for a good time. Of course unless I get into mud. :D

Thanks for the advice fellas & as I mentioned before. I`m open to different methods which I will try out.

[fishmilk]

Isn`t WD40 litterally made for military purposes to protect the engines from water? I could`ve sworn I read somewhere it stands for Water Displacment(?) 40th attempt. I think it`s more than safe, in fact, that was the original purpose.