Engine Detail - How often?

[dchu1975]

My wife and I just bought 2 new cars about 2 months ago. I have been doing the usualy weekly wash, putting on a good sealant, and doing a monthly thorough interior cleaning. My question is how often do you guys do a full engine detail? What is suggested? Thanks.

[MorBid]

I (very lightly) blast down the inner fenders and any open areas with my PS whenever I wash the car (at least once a week).



Then I used some old MF`s to get down in there and wipe everything down. I only "dress" the rubber and plastic during my twice yearly full details.

[toml]

I did my first engine detail 6 months after buying my new car ... a diluted mixture of Orange Blast, water rinse, dry, and 303 on the rubber and plastic, all done using MFs. I was going to do another cleaning 3 months later, but the engine looked so good, I decided to wait another month



So, for me, I`d say every 4 months ... but if it still looks good at 4 months, I may go to every 6 months.

[MorBid]

toml:



how did that Orange Blast mixture work for u?



I have some Optimum APC I`ve been meaning to try.

[White95Max]

I polish the metal every few weeks. It doesn`t take much more than 10 minutes if you keep up with it.



I clean/dress the plastic/rubber every couple months. It stays looking great for a long time.

[Asonyexec]

I have never had to do a "full" engine detail because I have always kept my engine & engine compartment fairly clean since day 1. But every few months I`ll pop the hood with a bottle of meg`s APC diluted 5:1 and a few old towels and start spraying and wiping.



I`ll dress the rubber & plastic with 303 (only because I bought it and don`t care for the results on tires or interior). Before the 303 I would treat the same with some armor all or any other protectant I would find on sale. After all it is the engine, I keep the good stuff for the passenger comparment.



Every 3-4 months I`ll blow out the engine compartment with an air compressor to get the nasty stuff out of the nooks and crannys.

[pontman43]

I`ve only fully detailed mine once, after it sat for a month without a hood at a body shop. :angry When I got it, the engine bay was clean! I just kept it up by dusting every wash and applying dressing every month or so. My engine bay is a PITA to clean too, because I cant use water. Damn opti spark! :hairpull

[Richt]

Like other detail it once - Then all it needs is wipe over, and occasional dress and metal polish as part off the weekly clean. Stays up together that way. I find a damp cloth is all mine needs week in week out. I do that as I am drying of water under the hood from a wash.