Detailing the Engine Bay

[camarospeedemon]

I'm going to a car show this weekend, and I need some good tips on detailing my engine bay. I've never done it before so it's got 130k miles of oil/coolant/roadgrime.

I've heard getting some degreaser foam (can't think of the name) and then hoseing it off and do this a few times then Armorall the hell out of everything.

Also, what's good for making powercoating shiny? I have an SLP CAI and want to make it "like new". I don't think Armorall will be very good at shining it up, andyone have any suggestions? Thanks.

[smiley]

i'm not a fan of armorall...


yes - get a degreaser and some detailing spray. some people use simple green.... i like cd-2.

[RUSSH]

Get some CD2. Best stuff I've ever used.

[Bluehawk27]

i cant find CD-2 in california, where can i find it online? thanks

[RUSSH]

Do they not have O'Reilly Auto Parts in Cali? That's where I get mine from.

[ZeusJr]

:eek: 130k miles w/o a cleaning... good luck....

[TheSilverSurfer]

Originally posted by ZeusJr
:eek: 130k miles w/o a cleaning... good luck....

Rob
Give him some of your tips:D

[Red Rag Top]

On an older engine use Simple Green and let it soak in for a while to loosen up the crud. You may even have to use a soft brush to help get some of the junk loose. Carefully hose off - stay away from the opti-spark on LT1's and the coil packs on the LS1's. You may have to repeat this process a couple of times to get the engine clean. If you have a Z28 stay away from the underside of the hood!! GM didn't clear coat the underside and you will wash the paint away and be left with a grey underside. Even something as generic as Fantastic will wash you paint away (been there, done that)!! After then engine is dry, then use CD-2 Engine Detailer. It will shine things up without the dirt attraction characteristics of Armorall.
Have fun at the carshow and welcome to the fanatics world!!:)

[Bluehawk27]

There is no O'rielly auto parts in the bay area, I used to use this stuff and it was GREAT! but everyone around here stopped carrying it for some reason. Please let me know if there are any online sites that carry it guys, thanks

[RUSSH]

You can buy it HERE (http://www.midwayautosupply.com/detailedproductdescription.asp?1079)

[Cody99TA]

Engine Brite/CD2 Engine Cleaner on metal
Simple Green or similar on plastic
CD2 Detail Spray is good enough, just be sure to wipe up the excess. Complete the engine bay before the exterior of the car, or mask off the paint. CD2= massive overspray.

[smiley]

Originally posted by RUSSH
You can buy it HERE (http://www.midwayautosupply.com/detailedproductdescription.asp?1079)

:worship:

thank you!

[lucky_topher]

CD2 owns!

CD2 on 80k mile daily driver -> http://www.lifeinwidescreen.com/camaro/clean2.jpg

[Gomez909]

They sell CD2 at Autozone. Thats where I got mine.

[smiley]

Originally posted by SStick Bandit
They sell CD2 at Autozone. Thats where I got mine.

i think that's where i used to get it.... all i've been able to find around here is the detail spray. i gotta order some from that site posted above.....

[RUSSH]

The only place I can find it locally is O'reilly's.

[ZeusJr]

Originally posted by TheSilverSurfer
Give him some of your tips:D

He doesn't wanna know how I clean my engine bay... :no:

[Racerjk]

Whoever said Simple Green will take the paint of the underside of your hood was correct!!! I sprayed some of the SG under my hood, and the rag was red when I wiped.

[TheSilverSurfer]

Originally posted by ZeusJr
He doesn't wanna know how I clean my engine bay... :no:

Sure he does---have a little trust and compassion:D

[ZeusJr]

Originally posted by TheSilverSurfer
Sure he does---have a little trust and compassion:D

Well I wipe every inch by hand.... but then again, it doesn't get to dirty w/ 6k miles and using this treatment from day one... ;)

[94NDTA]

Don't use silicone based dressing underneath your hood. It can f*ck up your sensors. Use a water based dressing like 303, but don't use too much. Rubbing alcohol works good because it evaporates. It won't hurt your sensors/electronics like water will. Use the alcohol for the tough spots because it can be harsh on soft plastic. Everything else a degreaser like Griots. Best tools: Q-tips, brushes (copper, steel, nylon, boars hair), peice of a cotton towel zip tied around a push rod (for hard spots to reach). Couple of old rags that you can no longer use for waxing/polishing. There have been a lot who have had trouble with CD2 because it dries out plastic pretty bad and strip paint. I was also told the the airforce use to use it on their planes but stopped for those reasons, I don't know if this is true, but I wouldn't doubt it if it was. CD2 is pretty harsh and I guess I would use it if I didn't have a show car and was trying to sell the car to make it look nice. One other thing, if you are thinking about using Griot Engine gloss, DON'T!! That stuff is the devil. There is no real way of telling what you are putting it on because it is a spray and you can't spray it onto a rag then apply. It is a biotch to get off. Also, if you put too much on it starts to flake. ALSO! another hint would be to cover any electrical areas while working in that area. Here is a pic of mine (not completely clean, I just took it out of storage and it hasn't been cleaned for a 6months.
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/244000-244999/244085_50_full.jpg

[RUSSH]

I've been using CD2 for a year now and have had no problems.

[94NDTA]

I wouldn't doubt it, I was just going off rumors and what I have heard about it, i'ver never used it.

[smiley]

i've been using it for a couple years now and haven't noticed any trouble. i'm real careful on my forumla.... but the truck and the beater - i just spray the stuff on, let it sit, wpary it off with the hose, spray on some detailer and done. no trouble yet even on the rusty '89 sentra ;)

[Oh5S4]

So I guess your just spraying (CD2 or SImple green) and spraying off with a hose? Anyone run into any problems with this?

[smiley]

yes - cd2, i spray it on, let it sit a few minutes, then spray it off with the hose.

i have heard that simple green at full strength will dull black plastic and pipes. so i always recommend people dilute it and don't let it sit too long. i do not use simple green at all.

[94NDTA]

Originally posted by smiley
yes - cd2, i spray it on, let it sit a few minutes, then spray it off with the hose.

i have heard that simple green at full strength will dull black plastic and pipes. so i always recommend people dilute it and don't let it sit too long. i do not use simple green at all.
I wouldn't try this with an LT1. If you do, put a little baggy with a rubber band over the opti. I would also suggest doing this to anyother important electrical components if your going to take a hose to your engine bay.

[smiley]

If you do, put a little baggy with a rubber band over the opti.

:werd:

i've never had an older fody with an optispark - but i've heard plenty about htem ;) don't get that thing wet!

and yes - to be safe you should always cover important electrical components.... pcm, fuses, alternator, etc.

howeverr - i'm just careful with the hose. i have it on the shower setting and don't spray directly on those type of parts. never cover anything with plastic. no trouble yet ;)