My FIRST Engine Detail

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Buick_guy

New member
Well, I'm currently starting up a little summer job type of thing, as most of you probably know, and I just got a customer that wants just an engine detail.



I don't have anything really have anything to use on it, so what would be a good product to use?



I've heard that tire dressing works great, and it leaves a nice shine. Is this true?



Also, I've heard great things such as CD2 ENGINE DETAILER.



Also, what is a good thing to charge for a very thorough detailing? Canadian pricing if you please.
 
I would try to find some CD2 if I were you. Pricing is up to you. I would do it based on time and costs.
 
I personally use 303 or a water based equivalent, Armor All these days should be fine too. I also polish and seal any metal parts under the hood: AC condensors are a common example of such. I've even used a Dremel with a felt disk and some metal polish to get very impressive results. On cast iron manifolds I use a manifold dressing that matches the original cast iron color. I get it from http://www.madirect.com . http://www.eastwoodco.com has similar products as well



You'll probably find you'll need a variety of different size, shape and length brushes to detail engines.



I started really getting into engine detailing when I wasn't getting all the satisfaction I wanted from removing paint defects. At the time lots of defects simply wouldn't come out so I came up with various ways to improve my engine detailing .



Have fun, this can be challenging but finding the right combination of brush,tool and product will yield outstanding results :xyxthumbs
 
My other question is, will things such as trannies shine up or anything with a steam cleaner? I have one to use I that would help?
 
A steam cleaner is excelent for cleaning engines! When I clean engines with a small steam cleaner, I havent covered up anything and ive been fine so far (ive done a lot of engines this way). But it could be different for you, so be careful.



Get a paint brush or two as well. They are really helpful for agitating the dirt before you wipe it off/steam it away. You could use a diluted All Purpose cleaner to get rid of all of the dirt... just about any would work. And then use a tire dressing that you have already. Foam is good though because you can get more coverage than with a wipe on product. It can get into all of the tight spaces.



You could also take off the heatshield/insulator/thing thats stuck to the underside of the hood and spray paint that flat black. Just make sure that you give it an even coat. That really adds to the finished look.



I would say that a really good engine cleaning would take about 1 to 2 hours if doing it with a steam cleaner/brushes and such. So charge based on that.
 
I'm thinking about 40-50 bucks can. Pretty decent if you ask me. Also, do you think that flat black paint is a good idea? seems to me that it would take forever to dry, and might hurt it?



BTW thanks for all the help guys!
 
Buick_guy said:
Also, do you think that flat black paint is a good idea? seems to me that it would take forever to dry, and might hurt it?
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I suppose it would be good if you asked if they minded if it was painted. Once its painted, thats it.. you can go back to how it was originally. Only paint it if its not new though. Unless its really cold, I think it would only take an hour or less to dry. You be the judge on if its worth it or not to paint it. Maybe someone else has had experience with this that could help out also.
 
I don't think paint would be a good idea at all. WAY too easy to mess something up.



Just focus on getting it very clean and putting a nice shine on it.
 
I have a few customers who have told me they use a vinyl/rubber protectant spray on their engine compartment, the underside of their hood and trunk as well as in their wheel wells. One even said he uses tire shine on a rag to cover these areas. Many, perhaps most, of these products contain silicones. Paint over silicones = a big mess. How are you going to know? I think potentially this could be a bad idea. I'd skip painting.
 
When I mentioned painting.. it was only for the under the hood insulation.... the thing above the engine but below the hood. Just that one thing. Are you saying that the dressing might jump up to the insulation?
 
Thats what I was going to do anyway...I don't trust some of these paints now adays anyways. Also, I was going to ask who these people were when I first came onto the site...thought I was still on regalgs.org....kinda wierd....:P
 
Most under hood insulation I know of are either made of a fabric or are plastic, which car has one that is painted? Also, I also would avoid any kind of paint especailly if it isn't a high temp paint. I would even avoid any kind of clear silicone tire/vinyl dressing. I've read, although slight,there could be a danger of fire due to the solvent ingredients. An engine compartment is a very hot place!
 
Bill D said:
Most under hood insulation I know of are either made of a fabric or are plastic, what kind of car has one that is painted?
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I meant that you can paint the insulation to hide any dust in it. So instead of it being slightly brown from dust.. it would be black instead. I havent really been able to clean the insulation it self without tearing it up.



(and yes.. I am bored and doing nothing but browsing autopia all afternoon. :D )
 
Here's my .02 as a long time car show veteran and restorer.



First, the hood pad. I painted the Viper logo on the embossed part of the hood on the GTS. It looks great and has held up very well...but I did this to a new, never on the car pad. (Of course, the car is never in the rain) Once a pad has a few miles on it, you can never tell what kind of oil, moisture, etc has gotten on the pad. Once it has the above mentioned things on it...it is difficult to get paint to adhere or look right. I'd avoid painting a used pad...been there...wound up buying a new pad.



I'm with Bill D on the 303 for use under the hood. I did the underhood of the Cobra on Tuesday night...the inner fenders got a touch of wax, but all the plastic bits got 303...looks great. You could even put 303 on the paint. (good info on that at 303products.com)



I looked at the CD2 stuff last week at AutoZone. The spray is some sort of arcrylic. My concern was that it will get hot and peel or crack. Plus, I really have a problem with just spraying something like that all over the place on everything.



Whew...is this getting long winded. What I have found in detailing engines, is that you need to basically treat each part as you would if it was on the outside. Paint can be waxed, metals can be polished, hoses and plastics can be dressed. Just be careful to cover up and electrical items before spraying water in there. Aluminum foil is great for this as it can be molded to fit.
 
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