Engine Detailing - Submit Your Tips & Tricks

That was not listed under the bulleted section as a tip. That was the author of the post speculating. That's what I meant...it was not listed as a tip by the "pros" offering the detailing seminar.



Eric
 
Lynn said:
:idea Now I get it. The distinction had not been clear to me. Thanks for clarifying.
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Hehe, np. I can understand the confusion...it also wasn't "my post"...I just saw it on the e46fanatics forum the other day. I wouldn't recommend armor alling =). Don't know about the WD-40...that's kind of why I posted it here to see people's reactions. He did say he got the tip from professional detailers so beats me as to whether it is safe or not on everything but the belts.



Eric
 
eboller said:
Don't know about the WD-40...that's kind of why I posted it here to see people's reactions. He did say he got the tip from professional detailers so beats me as to whether it is safe or not on everything but the belts.
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Well ... there are "professional detailers," then there are "knowledgeable detailers." Fortunately, here in Autopia, we have many knowledgeable, professional detailers.



But it kinda reminds me of all the "professional" lawn services. Most know how to spread chemicals and cut grass. Do they really understand the long-term implications of what they're doing? Not necessarily.



The discussion that's emerging here reminds me of an issue that has been nagging at me for the last month or so ... and I've thought about starting a thread about it. That is, are there car-care products that you might use on a vehicle that you plan to keep for 3 years, but which you would never use on a "classic" or on a car you hope will become a classic? Or, more simply: Which products provide short-term gratification (nice shine, e.g.) but are not "healthy" in the long term? Armorall and WD40 seem to fall into that category. I wonder what others are out there. But that is NOT the subject of this thread. If anybody wants to discuss this question, let's put it in a different (and I would recommend Concours) thread.
 
Lynn,



You do the honors, that is a great topic which pops into my head every time I use a product.



I'm sure many other serious enthusiasts would appreciate it.:up
 
I'm pretty sure (most) versions of Armor All are safe these days. There's a reason why most protectants these days look just like 303... Just stay away from petroleum distillates IMO.
 
Here's a techsheet on WD-40 and its effects on certain materials. Granted they weren't tested once a week for the next 10-15 years, but then again, how many parts in the engine compartment actually last that long anyway. About the only thing that looks like it may be slightly affected is the rubber hoses. These probably don't last long enough anyway for an occasional use of wd-40 to deteriorate them (if wd-40 indeed does do such a thing...which I haven't seen proof that it does...of course I haven't seen proof that it doesn't over a period of time neither).



If you do a search for wd-40 and engine you'll see numerous websites that state to use it on metal parts in the engine. Again, this doesn't necessarily prove its safety, but I think at some point some people would be calling it out as damaging if it were indeed so.



Just my thoughts...right or wrong.



Oh yeah...here's the tech sheet link:

http://www.techsolute.com/Pages/wd40tech.htm



Eric
 
a long and intersting thread!



i have sprayed down my engine with water all the time, never any issues. i recently soaked/lightly sprayed the undercarriage and engine bay and engine with 250 degree water from a lo pressure washer, great results, except for the fact that there is a lot of corrosion already....so now i am going to hit it with the rags and Castrol super clean, then some sort of aerosol spray wax (speed bead maybe?)
 
This is a very informative thread. You guys have some great looking engine bays. :bow Engine detailing is my weakness. However, I've picked up some very helpful hints here though.:xyxthumbs
 
Eboller,



Thanks for posting that WD-40 test, it really helps knowing the real affects of products on certain materials.



I have a couple of comments.



Immersion tests are a great and accurate way to determine if a rubber or plastic will be affected by a liquid. Looks llike WD-40 is safe on most plastics but harmful to rubber as you've already stated.



Seeing that it is Petroleum based with high solvent content isn't a suprise. IMO I think many of the engine sprays such as Pig Spit, Griots Engine Laquer and a few others including S100's version of Pig Spit have petroleum in them. I still wonder if Meguiars Engine Kote is a petroleum base.:nixweiss If engine bay rubber and possibly plastics were exposed to an excessive amount of these products for prolonged periods they could be harmful. If however they are used occassionally and are wiped off the surface most negative affects can be negated.



Seeing as my car is 11 years old next month and still has many of it's original rubber components and nearly all of it's original plastic components says alot. The last thing I want to do is use a bad product which produces fast results because I was too lazy to do it right, I would never be able to afford to get the car in show condition.



Keep the tips coming.:xyxthumbs
 
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