Engine Detailing - Submit Your Tips & Tricks

Wow, I must say that's a pretty clean engine bay. :D Well, let us know how it goes at the car show. I dunno when I'll get the chance to do something like that as I don't have a garage, but it's someting I might try when I get the opportunity. :bounce



Once again, I find this stuff fascinating. :spot
 
Here is a pic of mine on the show car...



engine0908023.JPG
 
Here is my 1991 Nissan Sentra. Notice the dull paint in the engine bay... It is just primer (not even covered well-look at the radiater support) and no clear coat:mad: All to save money!!! ARGH Notice that it even looks like someone used touch up! This is not that case as I am the original owner since 4 miles;) Every Sentra from this time frame was the same way except the white cars:confused: Oh well...it is CLEAN PRIMER:D
 
In my Concours prep, I've done enough for now on engine and interior detailing. So tonight I was working on the paintwork -- Y'know ... inspecting every inch for any flaw. And :scared spotted tons of scratches alongside the bonnet. Then my S.O. remembered that a guy who was recently ogling the engine bay had been wearing a zip-up jacket as he leaned in to look. Which reminded me of a very very basic detailing tip: I always remove my watch and rings, never wear a shirt with buttons (t-shirt or sweatshirt instead), and leave the shirt untucked so no zipper or belt is exposed. 'Cause when you lean in to get your head way down in the engine, it's too easy for any of that stuff to scratch the paint. Fortunately, the dozen scratches I found tonight were minor enough that Meguiar's ScratchX handled them. Better to avoid the damage, though.
 
I have a question....



Is it ok if like Mean Green or something else gets on that paint when cleaning out the engine bay? The paint in my bay already looks dull, but has oil all o ver it too.



I was thinking of scrubbing it down too, then applying some polish and wax, just to shine it up, is that ok?





jon
 
godofthunder said:
I have a question....



Is it ok if like Mean Green or something else gets on that paint when cleaning out the engine bay? The paint in my bay already looks dull, but has oil all o ver it too.



I was thinking of scrubbing it down too, then applying some polish and wax, just to shine it up, is that ok?





jon
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I'm not familiar with "Mean Green", but it is important to get all grease, oil and dirt off the painted surfaces and then apply polish or wax.



A synthetic sealant will work best, because it's not affected by heat the way wax is. Wax would only last a very short time in your engine bay.



With a sealant, it will last a long time and will make it VERY easy to clean next time!
 
As far as getting these cleaners on paint... if some accidentally gets on the exterior paint, (maybe from spraying it off the engine bay), does that mean a whole new wax job for the fenders or does wiping it off quickly with a QD or similar work to keep protectant and paint safe? TIA!
 
cackleberry said:
As far as getting these cleaners on paint... if some accidentally gets on the exterior paint, (maybe from spraying it off the engine bay), does that mean a whole new wax job for the fenders or does wiping it off quickly with a QD or similar work to keep protectant and paint safe? TIA!
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I always use "fender-buddies" when working in the engine-bay, but if you do get something on the exterior paint........wipe, QD, re-wax if necessary.......(not necessary to re-do the entire car)....
 
OK, really any degreaser im worried about. Is it ok if some of it is on the paint IN The engine bay, to remove greese.



And sugested sealents? Would it make the look any diffeerent (its not really glossy at all)



jon
 
Nice pics MBZ! And Jngr, the pics you posted were great!:shocked You have given me the urge to pop my hood and work on my C240. It is pretty new, but has never been cleaned. I think I can get it knocked off in a couple hours (if that). You guys have been giving some good tips. Something I found recently, at a Big Lots store (formerly MacFrugals), was containers of Simple Green wipes. They were $1.00 per container of 25 wipes. I am thinking of using them for quick engine details. Do you think they will work sufficiently? They work great on brake dust too!
 
godofthunder,



The degreasers generally do not damage the painted surfaces in the engine bay so long as you don't let it sit too long. Some degreasers are citrus based, these are much milder and will probably be safer if you actually have to degrease your painted areas.



As far as sealants go, Zaino is excellent to protect the painted surfaces in the engine bay. It's designed to handle the high heat generated in there.







milani,



Simple gree wipes would be great for initial cleanup of the engine bay but I would use something much milder such as a good QD or even water for regular maintenance. If you do use the Simple Green wipes always follow up with a damp cloth to insure the simple green does not remain on the surface. Good luck with your first detail session in the new car, you'll love it!
 
This thread is crazy!!! I just read most of it and I don't believe that your daily drivers are also the cars you enter into concours events! :shocked I thought the terms "daily driver" and "concours" were mutually exclusive!



I'm not worthy! :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow
 
Just FYI:



Some judges do carry telescoping mirrors to view the undercarraige and the bottom of the engine at concours events. If they see any water spots or finger prints on your sway bars, oil pan and/or filter, suspension or chassis, etc., they are more than happy to mark you down. Some even mark you down if some of your radiator fins aren't straighten to their satisfaction (not to mention looking for bugs smashed in there). It all depends on the judge(s) that is scoring your car.



I should add, do not to talk to the judges while they are scoring your car unless they ask you a question or want more information, but it is permissible shortly afterwards to ask where improvements can be made/done (do not ask what or why areas were marked down, it may be misinterpeted negatively by the judges, keep it positive). This may not be always possible, especially if you are entered in a class with a lot of cars to judge. Typically one set of judges is used to score one class to try to be fair to all of the participants of that class. Here is a sample judging form .
 
Citrus-based degreaser wouldn't affect the paintwork in the engine compartment provided that you don't let it dry and rinse with water thoroughly. If you get spotting, just re-apply with degreaser and rinse out thoroughly.
 
Acura_RL said:
Yo LeGenDz, do you spray on and wipe off? or spray and rinse?
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I get the engine very SLIGHTY warm, mist over with water, then generously spray over with SG, let it sit for about 3-4 minutes and then spray again, scrub, spray over one last time, let it sit about 2 minutes, and then rinse everything off, and dry.



I have everything covered pretty carefully just to be safe. For things like the alternator, I spray SG on to the brush, scrub, and then wipe off.
 
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