Engine Detail - How often?

dchu1975

New member
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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