Dirty under the hood

[MarauderMark]

I just want to get some input on how to make the compartment as clean as when i bought .is there a certain way or techneic of cleaning them .cause mine is dirty and i dont know if you clean by soaking it with presure washer and dumping amoreall all over it . i v'e seen some times at used car lots they clean em up really nice ..anyway i just want mine to look the way i bought it. :help: me

[TAF]

Mine looks better than when I bought it (ask anyone who saw my hood up this a.m.)

After washing...I open the hood and blow the engine bay with my leaf blower...I spray Formula 409 Window cleaner on the entire engine...which is mostly Ammonia and Water...then I wipe everything down...then I hit all the hoses, air box, front cowl, etc. with Zaino Tire dressing. Takes all of 15 minutes.

An old thread that taught me the above "trick"
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2622&highlight=windex

And...my engine bay after 25K + miles
http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/watermark.php?file=501/83DSC00597.JPG

[CRUZTAKER]

Tod is right on the money. That's how I do mine.

BTW: Did your pullies come today?

EDIT: So now we're attaching visual samples :P I can do that :D
http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/watermark.php?file=501/627engine_left-med.jpg

[jgc61sr2002]

Mine looks better than when I bought it (ask anyone who saw my hood up this a.m.)

After washing...I open the hood and blow the engine bay with my leaf blower...I spray Formula 409 Window cleaner on the entire engine...which is mostly Ammonia and Water...then I wipe everything down...then I hit all the hoses, air box, front cowl, etc. with Zaino Tire dressing. Takes all of 15 minutes.

An old thread that taught me the above "trick"
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2622&highlight=windex

And...my engine bay after 25K + miles
http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/watermark.php?file=501/83DSC00597.JPG

Todd - Your engine compartment looks great. :D

[gdmjoe]

I wouldn't recommend using a pressure washer :down: too many electronic components that could be affected.

The technique that works for me is a mixture of Dawn dish soap ( don't need much ) and warm water in a small plastic bucket, and then using various sizes of paint brushes to swab, dob, and clean. Rinse with a low stream of water from the garden hose; use the rinsed paint brush(es) to make sure that the soap is flushed.

For stubborn residues use mineral spirits and a paint brush; pour a small amount in a spare tin can or other recycled container ( old coffee can works for me ). Use the same rinse technique as above.

Be sure to blow-dry the engine compartment. *I always use compressed air - more control and pressure, plus you can get in all the nooks and crannies.

Tip#1 - DO NOT wash a hot engine; let is cool down. The test that I always use is whether or not I can touch the exhaust manifold and not leave seered flesh :D

Tip#2 - Avoid drowning the electrical components; plastic bags and/or aluminum wrap works good for covering sensitive areas (i.e. coil packs, injectors, etc. ).

Tip#3 - Use of any dressing ( Armoral, silicone, etc. ) will attract dirt / dust, so don't go over-board; lightly mist a cloth and use it to appy. Buffing with another cloth afterwards helps to minimize the amount that's actually applied.

Tip#4 - Clean the engine compartment first, then wash the car. You're bound to splatter; recall the blow-drying.

Question - When was the last time that you polished the underside of the hood or basically any metal surface under the hood ? Trust me, it does help in making clean-up easier. Nu-Finish is an inexpensive polish that's available most everywhere, and lasts quite a while.

[Petrograde]

I use Eagle One Glass cleaner, Zaino Z-14 Plastic Cleaner and Polish, and Zaino Tire Dressing. :up:

All the lines, wires, and hoses are a pain in the butt to get around, but after about a half an hour my engine bay looks better than new!

I don't hose down the engine. I've never felt comfortable doing that on cars full of wires and black boxes.

Tom

[woaface]

All that 15 minutes stuff? Just grab a steamer, a portable one. That's how I've seen a lot of dealerships detail stuff.

[Petrograde]

For stubborn residues use mineral spirits and a paint brush; pour a small amount in a spare tin can or other recycled container ( old coffee can works for me ). Use the same rinse technique as above.
I use Isopropyl Alcohol. It cleans well and evaporates quickly without leaving any residue. I use it Monday - Friday on helicopter parts. Works great!


Tip#1 - DO NOT wash a hot engine; let is cool down. The test that I always use is whether or not I can touch the exhaust manifold and not leave seered flesh :D
:lol: I really hope you haven't done that more than once!


Question - When was the last time that you polished the underside of the hood or basically any metal surface under the hood ? Trust me, it does help in making clean-up easier. Nu-Finish is an inexpensive polish that's available most everywhere, and lasts quite a while.
hmmm,... good point. I'll try that tomorrow.
But,.the last time I tried to remove my hood sound proofing to clean under it I broke the first clip I tried to remove, so I abandoned that idea. :depress:

Tom

[gdmjoe]

... But,.the last time I tried to remove my hood sound proofing to clean under it I broke the first clip I tried to remove, so I abandoned that idea. :depress:
The clips / push-pins are inexpensive and available at the dealership in packages of 4. IIRC you'll need 12 ( 3 packages ).

Plus, the replacements aren't like the easy-to-break ones used on the assembly line; christmas tree like, rather than single pop-open tong ( for lack of a better description ).

Me ... I took and left the the hood pad off. I don't figure on generating enough under-the-hood heat to blister the paint ( it's main purpose - other than collecting dirt and water stains :D ).

[Hack Goby]

I first spray the area litely with the hose and then spray Orange cleaner all over pretty good let set for about 15minutes and then spray off, now the fun part.I live near I-94 so I head out and drive vigorously to the first exit I come to,Turn around and repeat.When I get home 95% of the motor is dry.Add a little armor all here and there and Iam good to go.MI2QIK4U taught me that one

[CRUZTAKER]

But,.the last time I tried to remove my hood sound proofing to clean under it I broke the first clip I tried to remove, so I abandoned that idea. :depress:
Tom
Tom, better yet, there is a trim pulling tool available at any parts store. It looks like a screwdriver with a slightly angled stem, and a U shaped fork at the end.

Use this tool, and you won't break or replace anything.

Have had mine out several times. Waxed the area as well. Good winter project while the car is parked.

[jabird56]

I have been doing this for years, I spray SIMPLY GREEN throughout the engine comparment and let is soak. Then I just just use the garden hose and rinse it out. I like it since SIMPLY GREEN is bio-degradeable. It may not have a car show shine to it, but it's clean.

[jettle]

I have been doing this for years, I spray SIMPLY GREEN throughout the engine comparment and let is soak. Then I just just use the garden hose and rinse it out. I like it since SIMPLY GREEN is bio-degradeable. It may not have a car show shine to it, but it's clean.


I too have been using Simple Green. For about about 15 years now. It works great.

[jgc61sr2002]

I would recommend NOT using a hose under the hood. There are too many electrical components that could be damaged. Wiping it down with a damp does it for me. :up:

[Ross]

Simple Green---one of the world's great inventions!

[drobin]

After each washing, pop open hood and using several damp towels just wipe and touch everthing possible under the hood. You'll be surprised how clean your power plant etc., will stay nice and new looking. I do like Todd's idea using tire dressing to shine things up.

Donald
"drobin"

[rgvfed]

I gotta jump in here, even as a rookie on the board. Best under hood cleaning IMHO is with ArmorAll.....as follows:

Run the car until the engine is warm (warm! not hot)

Spray the heck out of the engine compartment with Armorall...regular or extra glossy...your choice.

Let it soak about 5 minutes

Spray off with cool or warm water, not hard, just enough to flow the crap away

I think it's the best you will see. The Armorall is a water based product, no harsh stuff, no petro products. This uses no high pressure or very hot water and leaves a great clean shine.

I thought it was bogus when I tried it the first time but....