View Full Version : Detailing under the hood
xopher
08-12-2009, 10:19 AM
I've been meaning to spend an hour or so and do a good detail job under the hood. I don't drive it in the winter, and I don't offroad, so the bay is in fairly good shape, but it could use some cleaning after a year or two without attention.
Rider90 has a great overview: http://www.jasonsautospa.com/enginedetail/ and he even has some before and afters of Marauders. I'm still shopping around for what cleaning agent and what rubber/vinyl protectant I should use, but the more important thing to me is what to cover up before I start spraying my engine bay.
Rider90 has a good set of instructions, and I love the simple "cover with foil, wet, degrease, scrub, rinse" but I'm not sure how much of the wiring and plugs I should be covering up.. His step 3 has a close up of things I would have expected to be covered in aluminum foil first.
How do you guys clean an engine bay? Do you focus on individual components and do it slowly by hand? Or do you spray-and-pray?
About every other month I use a narrow, old, soft bristled paint brush for brushing off the dusty parts. Wipe down what I can after that with the same old rag I use to make the tires shiney. Total cleaning time maybe 10 minutes, but people have asked how many hours it took.
Embassy
08-12-2009, 10:27 AM
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=53885
xopher
08-12-2009, 10:28 AM
About every other month I use a narrow, old, soft bristled paint brush for brushing off the dusty parts. Wipe down what I can after that with the same old rag I use to make the tires shiney. Total cleaning time maybe 10 minutes, but people have asked how many hours it took.
Do you have any kind of cleaning agent on the brush or rag, or are you "dusting" the motor?
I know I've gotta get some crud off there before I'm able to wipe it down easy :)
Phrog_gunner
08-12-2009, 10:32 AM
I hit the do it yourself carwash and pressure wash the engine with it running. If you do it running that keeps all the electical stuff firing and keeps the water from interfering with operation. That should knock down the nasty stuff and then you can get to the detailed stuff...
xopher
08-12-2009, 10:35 AM
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=53885
Dagnabit this didn't turn up during search :/
For those that do cover compenents, what do you cover up?
Do you have any kind of cleaning agent on the brush or rag, or are you "dusting" the motor?
I know I've gotta get some crud off there before I'm able to wipe it down easy :)
Nope, the brush is enough. The handle is about a foot long and flexible but sturdy, nothing under the hood it can brush/scrape off. Then wipey wipey. I am tempted to try the Simple Green/water mix tho just to see what difference it might make.
Phrog_gunner
08-12-2009, 10:39 AM
Nope, the brush is enough. The handle is about a foot long and flexible but sturdy, nothing under the hood it can brush/scrape off. Then wipey wipey. I am tempted to try the Simple Green/water mix tho just to see what difference it might make.
I thought you used the skeet and shine method....
Embassy
08-12-2009, 10:51 AM
Nope, the brush is enough. The handle is about a foot long and flexible but sturdy, nothing under the hood it can brush/scrape off. Then wipey wipey. I am tempted to try the Simple Green/water mix tho just to see what difference it might make.
Simple green will do wonders on the metal parts under your hood, that is if you want an unsightly appearance. It seems to give unpainted/protected metal parts, like the intake, a corroded/spotted appearance.
Purchase a dedicated engine cleaner that's easy on uncoated metal surfaces. Griots offers one. Click. (http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/car+care/car+washing/car+cleaners/engine+detailing+kit.do?search =basic&keyword=engine+&sortby=newArrivals&page=1)
Once your engine is clean of heavy debris, grease, and stains then you can just use gentle car wash solution for future cleaning.
If your car is not daily driven, you can rely on detail products, towels, and dusters to keep your engine looking new.
Mine has not been washed in over a year:
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/710901/original/img_1585-copy.jpg
No simple green??
Simple green will do wonders on the metal parts under your hood, that is if you want an unsightly appearance.
I thought a couple folks here swore by that stuff? Does it stain?
Mine has not been washed in over a year:
Yeah you tend to keep that baby clean. I like your combo, looks like an angry bumblebee under there.
Phrog_gunner
08-12-2009, 11:03 AM
Simple green will do wonders on the metal parts under your hood, that is if you want an unsightly appearance. It seems to give unpainted/protected metal parts, like the intake, a corroded/spotted appearance.
Good info, thanks. I'm always glad to see information backed up by evidence. Can't argue with a pic like that.
Embassy
08-12-2009, 11:06 AM
At full strength, it discolors and damages finishes like the metal pieces. Gives everything a corroded appearance.
I am sure it would be fine when diluted enough parts water.
YMMV.
SC Cheesehead
08-12-2009, 11:11 AM
Do you have any kind of cleaning agent on the brush or rag, or are you "dusting" the motor?
I know I've gotta get some crud off there before I'm able to wipe it down easy :)
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=53885
Check out the above link, gives you info on cleaning method that a nmuber of us use.
As long as you don't flood the engine bay, electronics shouldn't be a problem.
Good info, thanks. I'm always glad to see information backed up by evidence. Can't argue with a pic like that.
Plus he's a pretty good guy:beer:
Embassy
08-12-2009, 11:15 AM
Plus he's a pretty good guy:beer:
Gracias, senor. :bandit:
I wouldn't even know where to begin. :alone:
Embassy
08-12-2009, 12:39 PM
I wouldn't even know where to begin. :alone:
With an engine like Doom's, I'd recommend sunscreen. :D
LIGHTNIN1
08-12-2009, 01:14 PM
My neighbor is a 30 yr. retired Ford mechanic.This morning he was washing down his Crown Vic engine with water hose with a Mr. Clean contraption on the end. He said it would not hurt anything but I would at least cover the alternator.
CKMustangCobra
08-12-2009, 01:41 PM
I've said it on here before.
Everytime I detail my engine (been doing this for years)...
Cold engine, spray Simple green all over it and let it sit for a few mins.
Pressure wash the entire engine with a flat nozzle. Spray the battery, alt, all that ****... just try to avoid the fuse box. Spraying it is OK... just don't drill it.
Spray an Armor All type dressing all over the engine.
Close hood and start engine for a few mins. The heat will bake the stuff on and the engine will look amazing and run fine.
Blackened300a
08-12-2009, 02:36 PM
I've said it on here before.
Everytime I detail my engine (been doing this for years)...
Cold engine, spray Simple green all over it and let it sit for a few mins.
Pressure wash the entire engine with a flat nozzle. Spray the battery, alt, all that ****... just try to avoid the fuse box. Spraying it is OK... just don't drill it.
Spray an Armor All type dressing all over the engine.
Close hood and start engine for a few mins. The heat will bake the stuff on and the engine will look amazing and run fine.
Exact same methods I use. Except I use "All shine tire dressing". It lasts longer.
Interesting replys, good stuff. I'd be the one guy that hoses down his engine bay and it never starts again, lol.
DOOM's cleaning theory: Why clean when you can chrome?:coolman:
Phrog_gunner
08-12-2009, 02:51 PM
Interesting replys, good stuff. I'd be the one guy that hoses down his engine bay and it never starts again, lol.
That's why I do it with the engine running.....No different than driving through the rain....
And like ^^ he said, just dont drill anything and you'll be fine.
2,4shofast
08-12-2009, 04:13 PM
I have always used simple green with no problems... seems to work just fine but I have been wanting to try something else so maybe I will look into a degreaser and see how it turns out...
stryker
08-15-2009, 09:21 PM
Well Marauderers, my style to clean the engine bay is to spray all the engine with Doctor mechanic and let it act for a few minutes and where is hard dirt I use a brush, then I use middle pressure water to remove all and after that I use air pressure to remove water after that I spray with WD-40 all the engine and finish.
CWright
08-16-2009, 08:11 AM
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=16 810&d=1250190786 (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=16 810&d=1250190786)
I noticed there are some more spots to get but I just use a damp cloth with a dry one behind it. This is the first time in a year to clean under hood. I have tried other things but wetting under the hood to much spooked me the last time I did it. I had an 05 CV and after I wet under the hood to rinse off soap I ended up fowling plugs due to bad seals around the coil plugs. With the MM being an 03 just did not want to take the chance. But good luck with all cleaning how ever you do it.
Blackened300a
08-16-2009, 08:38 AM
I I had an 05 CV and after I wet under the hood to rinse off soap I ended up fowling plugs due to bad seals around the coil plugs. With the MM being an 03 just did not want to take the chance. But good luck with all cleaning how ever you do it.
I shorted 4 coils with light water on my 2V. The 4V is much less likely to get a coil wet. I washed my engine many times with no problems.
CWright
08-16-2009, 08:43 AM
I shorted 4 coils with light water on my 2V. The 4V is much less likely to get a coil wet. I washed my engine many times with no problems.
Good deal. Thanks. Wasn't to sure but I will use light water just to get those hard to reach areas. I probably baby it to much anyway. LOL
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