Under Hood Cleaning

ChipR4cam · 10-06-2005, 08:58 AM

What do you guys do to get a dirty engine compartment clean and shiney?

Mine's nasty and I wanted to get it clean again. I know some people use the used car lot stuff, and after it dries a few days

it looks awesome.

slvrbullit · 10-06-2005, 09:06 AM

I generally let the car sit over night, next day I spray the entire engine bay with foaming glass cleaner, let it sit for about 10 minutes then sray it again. I then crank the car and hose it off taking caution in not getting my distributor wet. I know I have a pushrod motor but I also use the same method on my 4.6 work truck. This way is good for light grease/oil or extremely dusty. Then after it dries, I spray everything down with Engine Brite shine spray. I think it is made by GUNK or I use S&N Products Shine It spray, they are basically the same thing.

SthrnDaizey · 10-06-2005, 09:15 AM

GUNK Engine Brite

All I've ever had on any of mine....

Scothew · 10-06-2005, 10:08 AM

I use Simple Green. Basically the same process Tommy posted. SPray it on, let it sit about 10min. Maybe hit the worst places with a small hand brush and then spray off GOOD. Make sure you get it all, this stuff is potent. Then crank car to let it burn off some of teh water. At the same time the engine is warming up, if its available, take a leaf blower to blow alot of the water out of there.

96GTS · 10-06-2005, 11:14 AM

Make sure to use a compressor to make sure to get the water out of the spark plug wells!

Italian LX · 10-06-2005, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96GTS

Make sure to use a compressor to make sure to get the water out of the spark plug wells!

Hmm, I've never done that.

93Cobra#2771 · 10-07-2005, 08:18 AM

Simple Green works great. BE SURE to soak the engine compartment with water BEFORE spraying the SG - works better that way (we did some lab analysis and discovered that)...

Scothew · 10-07-2005, 09:22 AM

Interesting Richard. I've lightly sprayed the engine first, but never soaked it. It does work better? Cause it works pretty damn good as is.

93Cobra#2771 · 10-07-2005, 11:36 AM

Basically, get the surfaces good and wet. The water enhances wetability of the surfaces, allowing the SG to get to the grease/dirt quicker and easier.

Oh, and be sure to dilute SG - about 1:4 for HD cleaning. Using it diluted actually gives BETTER results than using it straight, believe it or not.

I keep a general purpose 1:4 in my garage for cleaning duty (works great in fenderwells and on wheels), and keep a 1:10 version in the house for stubborn spots in carpet, ect.

96GTS · 10-07-2005, 11:53 AM

Does SG work for oil spots on the driveway?

10-06-2005, 08:58 AM	#1
ChipR4cam You can call me mister. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Plenty recovered. Posts: 3,518	Under Hood Cleaning What do you guys do to get a dirty engine compartment clean and shiney? Mine's nasty and I wanted to get it clean again. I know some people use the used car lot stuff, and after it dries a few days it looks awesome.

10-06-2005, 09:15 AM	#3
SthrnDaizey Ready to head homeward Join Date: May 2005 Location: Virginia for now... Posts: 2,979	Re: Under Hood Cleaning GUNK Engine Brite All I've ever had on any of mine.... __________________ ~Monica "Excuse me...does your mom know you are outside without your helmet again?"

10-06-2005, 10:08 AM	#4
Scothew Censored Jihad Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B'ham, AL Posts: 4,108	Re: Under Hood Cleaning I use Simple Green. Basically the same process Tommy posted. SPray it on, let it sit about 10min. Maybe hit the worst places with a small hand brush and then spray off GOOD. Make sure you get it all, this stuff is potent. Then crank car to let it burn off some of teh water. At the same time the engine is warming up, if its available, take a leaf blower to blow alot of the water out of there. __________________ Theres only one way to get to Carnegie Hall..... .... Practice.

10-06-2005, 11:14 AM	#5
96GTS Mine's bigger... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,060	Re: Under Hood Cleaning Make sure to use a compressor to make sure to get the water out of the spark plug wells! __________________ 323rwhp \| 320rwtq - 4VNA 12.13 @ 113.36 \| 1.63 60'

10-07-2005, 08:18 AM	#7
93Cobra#2771 The Kocky One Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Yeah, but those cutters won't bust any walnuts.â„¢ Posts: 1,948	Re: Under Hood Cleaning Simple Green works great. BE SURE to soak the engine compartment with water BEFORE spraying the SG - works better that way (we did some lab analysis and discovered that)... __________________ *For Sale: Reproduction Window Stickers, 87+ Mustangs, Cobras, Lightnings, and HD F150!* Richard White 93 Cobra Kocky will be back!

10-06-2005, 09:06 AM	#2
slvrbullit Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: on the water Posts: 1,280	Re: Under Hood Cleaning I generally let the car sit over night, next day I spray the entire engine bay with foaming glass cleaner, let it sit for about 10 minutes then sray it again. I then crank the car and hose it off taking caution in not getting my distributor wet. I know I have a pushrod motor but I also use the same method on my 4.6 work truck. This way is good for light grease/oil or extremely dusty. Then after it dries, I spray everything down with Engine Brite shine spray. I think it is made by GUNK or I use S&N Products Shine It spray, they are basically the same thing. __________________ 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited--- too many mods to list, about to be sitting on 1 ton axles. 2000 Ford F-350 Dually Lariat LE Crew Cab Short Box 7.3 auto 168,000 miles

10-07-2005, 09:22 AM	#8
Scothew Censored Jihad Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B'ham, AL Posts: 4,108	Re: Under Hood Cleaning Interesting Richard. I've lightly sprayed the engine first, but never soaked it. It does work better? Cause it works pretty damn good as is. __________________ Theres only one way to get to Carnegie Hall..... .... Practice.

10-07-2005, 11:36 AM	#9
93Cobra#2771 The Kocky One Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Yeah, but those cutters won't bust any walnuts.â„¢ Posts: 1,948	Re: Under Hood Cleaning Basically, get the surfaces good and wet. The water enhances wetability of the surfaces, allowing the SG to get to the grease/dirt quicker and easier. Oh, and be sure to dilute SG - about 1:4 for HD cleaning. Using it diluted actually gives BETTER results than using it straight, believe it or not. I keep a general purpose 1:4 in my garage for cleaning duty (works great in fenderwells and on wheels), and keep a 1:10 version in the house for stubborn spots in carpet, ect. __________________ *For Sale: Reproduction Window Stickers, 87+ Mustangs, Cobras, Lightnings, and HD F150!* Richard White 93 Cobra Kocky will be back!

10-07-2005, 11:53 AM	#10
96GTS Mine's bigger... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,060	Re: Under Hood Cleaning Does SG work for oil spots on the driveway? __________________ 323rwhp \| 320rwtq - 4VNA 12.13 @ 113.36 \| 1.63 60'