Was wondering if anyone could provide some tips and tricks on detailing the engine compartment. I have the car in garage over the winter and was wondering what would be the best way to go about detailing the engine..Thanks Michael <img src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

 

First of all, if you wash it weekly, you will never have a problem with dirt buildup! Just buy some Engine detailer, and instead of hosing it off, use an old rag to wipe it off. Be sure to let it sit for a minute or two, though! <img src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" border="0">

 

Do I have to cover anything? Or can I just spray the stuff on? I am new to the engine detailing, I have always kept the exterior in peferect condition, but never thought of the engine, so all the help will be appreciated. thanks again..Michael

 

My advice, don't spray it on anything that looks electrical! Instead, spray it on the rag, and wipe the area!! <img src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" border="0">

 

While Jack has some good ideas, I'll add some info for ya...

First off, there is a product out there that absolutely KICKS THE **** out of any other engine detailer. It's made by "CD-2" and comes in a two bottle system. There is a cleaner, and a gloss/polish. Spray the cleaner on and let it sit for about 5 minutes, then hose it off with RUNNING water. The LS1 is pretty much waterproof, so spraying running water will not hurt. DO NOT run water over a hot engine, only when it's completely cold. After doing the cleaner and hosing it off, crank your car and let it warm up for a little bit. This will get rid of the excess water, and won't hurt anything since the heat will make the water evaporate. After letting the motor dry completely, spray on the glossy stuff. It makes all the black on the motor look real shiney, and this stuff works GREAT. Again, spray it on and crank the motor so it can heat soak in. This stuff does not have to be sprayed off. I would give at least one day between steps so the motor has time to cool before spraying each application on.


Again, don't be afriad to use water. Running water. Any type of pressure can hurt. I have probably sprayed my motor down 100 times, never had a single problem. Some people say to cover the computer, I don't even do that and once again no problems. I used to be scared shitless to spray my motor down, now I do it about every two weeks <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">


Feel free to email me if you have any more questions.


josh

 

I just put some blue tubing on yesterday, looks damn good, I am always under the hood cleaning making it look good.....I just use water and a rag and go all over the place...the longer you let the dirt build up the worse it becomes...

Don't ever use a high pressure washer under the hood, it will get through to the electronics...

 

That's great info Josh! I'll have to try that out. <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0">

 

I rinse off my motor about every other time I wash the car. If you never let it get dirty it is easy to keep clean. Try and keep the water away from the alternator and CPU. Use some varsol or Gunk on any oily areas and let it sit for a few minutes.

Do not rinse off the motor if it is hot. Let it cool off. After you have rinsed it off, go drive it or blow it off with the air compressor to get rid of the excess water. Then you can detail the small areas with a damp rag and/or use your air compressor to still blow out some areas. Apply a light coat of Armorall with a rag on the hoses to give them a new look. Again, not letting the motor ever get dirty is the key.

 

The absolute best engine cleaning I have ever had used low pressure STEAM!!! If you have access to a steam system, trust me you will not be disappointed. It doesn't even get the engine very wet....I get my engine bay steam cleaned once every few months and usually wipe down with a rag every car wash.

 

Thats a damn good idea, I actually got one lying around somewhere...another thing that looks good under the hood is tire dressing...put it on all the tubing...it looks amazing.. <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0">

 

You guys are awesome..thanks for all the replys. I always wanted to get my engined steam cleaned. I know there is a Turtle Wax in Naperville that steam cleans engines. Again thanks for all the help, now it is time to try it out...Michael
<img src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

 

Josh, what made you decide to go through with it, and spray it off? I'm like you were, I am too afraid that I'll screw something up!! BTW, that's the same stuff I use! <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">

[ January 11, 2002: Message edited by: JackZ28 ]</p>

 

This is what I do:

1. Cover up any exposed electrical component that you don't want to get wet, (I use plastic bags).

2. On a cool dry motor, spray on degreaser of choice (I use Simple Green), and let sit for appx 10 minutes, don't let this stuff dry!

3. Rinse off with a soft stream from hose, don't use high pressure.

4. Once completely rinsed, remove plastic bags and get out the Toro leaf blower, on low setting I blow off all the water.

5. Start engine and let it warm up for roughly5 minutes.

6. Kill the engine, now all the water should be gone. Now the fun part. I get a can of the Armoral white foam tire spray (the one you spray on and walk away), and spray the entire engine down until everything is white. Shut the hood and walk away. Check it 15 minute later and that motor will be shining like theres no tomorrow!

Have Fun <img src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

 

Big Mike,

Does the Armorall white foam attract dust though? It would seem like it would because the Armorall is petroleum based.

 

I do the simple green and the Armorall or Tire wet (smells nice). It does attract some dirt, but not too much as with any engine detailer like this. Its a cheap easy way to do it.

Just dont ever use SUPER CLEAN!!!! I used to use it on my old cars and it ate the alluiminum to crap. And it ate the stickers and paint. It took about a year, but it wasnt worth looking at anymore. A friend of mine sprayed it on his new chrome Edlebrock carb and in a month it looked like it was 20 yes old <img src="gr_eek2.gif" border="0">

 

i am with the other simple green and tire foam guys, I use the black magic tire foam that cleans and shines too just in case the simple green did not get everywhere.

its nice cause its stuff i have on hand already

 

I got to get under there and start shining up some stuff.. <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0">

 

I can vouch for the simple green / tire foam method as well. I do it probably once a month and my engine bay never really looks dirty. <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">

 

THIS STUFF IS THE DO !!!
CD2 Rocks !! Screw all the **** BS about water/water pressure and the lot.
Just use the product like the directions tell you and be done with it.(High Pressure Helps)
Getting **** about a phreakin motor wash is just to Phunny !
That tire foam will build up after a few uses and it looks like *** on several area`s of the engine bay.
But those that choose a 25 step motor detail have your right to do as you feel its your stuff....your cleaning Were Out Driving !

SS/LS

[quote]Originally posted by Damian:
<strong>While Jack has some good ideas, I'll add some info for ya...

First off, there is a product out there that absolutely KICKS THE **** out of any other engine detailer. It's made by "CD-2" and comes in a two bottle system. There is a cleaner, and a gloss/polish. Spray the cleaner on and let it sit for about 5 minutes, then hose it off with RUNNING water. The LS1 is pretty much waterproof, so spraying running water will not hurt. DO NOT run water over a hot engine, only when it's completely cold. After doing the cleaner and hosing it off, crank your car and let it warm up for a little bit. This will get rid of the excess water, and won't hurt anything since the heat will make the water evaporate. After letting the motor dry completely, spray on the glossy stuff. It makes all the black on the motor look real shiney, and this stuff works GREAT. Again, spray it on and crank the motor so it can heat soak in. This stuff does not have to be sprayed off. I would give at least one day between steps so the motor has time to cool before spraying each application on.


Again, don't be afriad to use water. Running water. Any type of pressure can hurt. I have probably sprayed my motor down 100 times, never had a single problem. Some people say to cover the computer, I don't even do that and once again no problems. I used to be scared shitless to spray my motor down, now I do it about every two weeks <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">


Feel free to email me if you have any more questions.


josh</strong><hr></blockquote>

 

[quote]Josh, what made you decide to go through with it, and spray it off? I'm like you were, I am too afraid that I'll screw something up!! BTW, that's the same stuff I use! <hr></blockquote>

Well Jack, is a kinda funny story. When I first got my LS1, I was so used to the liquid senstive optisparks on the LT1's (my previous car). A good friend of mine always had a sparkling clean engine bay in his 99 SS and one night I asked him how he did it. He told me to walk outside and he'd show me. He proceded to soak his motor with simple green, and then hose it off shortly after. During this I am jumpin around yellin "WTF are you doin??!!?" all freakin out. Needless to say he cranked the car right up afterwards, and everything was gravy. He probably laughed his *** off for weeks about how I was acting when he did that. So, there ya go.......me no longer a chicken **** <img src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" border="0">


Josh