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    Join Date
    Oct 2002
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    Since we are on the topic of engines....

    I didn`t have much work going on today so I thought I would take a few snaps of my engine and write a little on how I clean them.

    I have been asked a few questions regarding engine cleaning from another thread and instead of always being reminded of that thread I figured I would start a new one and we can forget about the other one.

    First thing I do is warm up the engine for a few minutes.

    I then get all my stuff together, which includes Simple Green as my main cleaner but if things get real tough I`ll use Hi-Temps engine cleaner. I also use several diferent types of brushes, both soft and bristle plus the EZ Motorcycle Detail brush from Top of the Line.

    Spray the surrounding paint down with water, and the glass, and then spray Simple Green or the degreaser of your choice, on the lower portions of the engine. If it evaporates very quickly then you got the engine too hot. Let it cool a few minutes then re-apply the degreaser. I then take the EZ Detail Brush and work it as far down in the nooks and crannies as I can. This brush is cool because you can twist and bend it in all sorts of directions to get into odd places. The only draw back is the splatter it creates and you draw it back so be watchful for that.

    I then lightly mist off those area and if needed I might have to use my steam vapor cleaner on the tough spots or heavy grime build up. Next spray the top portion sof the engine and work loose all the dirt and grime. As you brush the hoses and stuff you should see a brown sludge coming off the hoses and other areas. Don`t let this stuff sit and dry as it will streak your engine and when it dries you`ll scratch your head wondering if you cleaned that area or not, so rinse it off well.

    I use a very soft flagged brush for the metal work around the engine bay. Spray the Simple Green on the damp brush and work it around the painted areas. I then rinse off the whole engine plus the metal areas and I then usually rinse off the sound deadening material if needed. Be careful with this stuff as it can easily tear or if very old crumble right before your very eyes:doh

    Next comes a final rinse and then I use my electric leaf blower to dry the whole area real well. I then check my work and if needed redo an area, if not I`ll then take some towels and start drying the engine down and then spray the entire engine area with a dressing. In my case I use a water based dressing called "Super Dress It" from AutoMagic.

    I allow this to sit and soak in for as long as I can, I might even warm up the engine again as this gives the dressing and very nice even sheen. My attention turns to the metal work around the engine as the dressing dries. If I have to I`ll use something like DACP, Light Cut or Vanilla Moose depending on the paints condition. For newer cars Poly Spray by Hi-Temp works awesome!

    A final buffing of the engine with a sponge lightly spayed with dressing and we are done.

    The first picture is of Simple Green, a steel brush, a soft flagged bristle brush, toothbrush and the EZ Detail brush.
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    "The Art & Science of Auto Detail"

 

 

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