My engine bay gets very dusty, and the alloy has some corrosion white powder. In order, not to damage the red paint on the engine, Can any guys suggest me a way to clean it properly. thanks
If you have a decent compressor and an air nossle you can do that. If it gets really dusty I use a hose and then follow with an air nossle on a good compressor. Works great.
I've seen in detailing videos where guys use a soft bristle brush (almost like a paint brush) wet with soapy water to clean the engine bay.
Spray degreaser on (preferably water based, which works fine). To clean the red covers a soft brush (e.g. a nail brush and/or a toothbrush) is needed to agitate the degreaser into the unsmooth surface. Rinse off with water. You may need to go over them a couple of times. Once the engine bay is cleaned, I find Autoglym Bumper and Trim Gel works well for subsequently dressing the rubber and plastic components.
I usually wipe mine down. Every year or so I decrease it with a mild decreaser. I don't leave it on long any agitate with soft brush. Decreaser an scar paint, so don't leave it on long and rinse while still wet. *be careful with water in the engine compartment. Don't blast it down, use low pressure, only rinse what's nessesary.
Like Trent said, light water based degreaser like greased lightning and a dilution of about 1 part GL and 9 parts water. No need for anything stronger. After cleaning run the engine or take a drive, you're all set! I clean my engine bay once a week dusting and a damp microfiber cloth as I'm a little anal....Lol, but hey we want our cars looking good at all times right? Stay on top of it and she'll look great all of the time Hey Trent, I'm looking forward to meeting you in person at the next Celebration event sir! Image Unavailable, Please Login
Second, my technique is a: 1) A little Simple Green with a light water rinse 2) Run the engine or drive 3) Upon cooling, lite towel on the pooling water areas 4) Final touch is CD2 to shine things up. Don't recommend Armor all! CD2 is a nice shining agent safe for paint, plastic, and rubber engine parts. Don't over use. Let it dry and then a final pat down for any excess, should not be that much. Then lift the lid and let people enjoy and compliment! Good luck! Post pics when you are done. Deiger
Nice! Not as much CF, but I tend to keep mine up, too, as it is easier than trying to catch up after it's gotten way dirty. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Now those boys, are some very nice looking engine bays If only everyone loved out cars as much as we do....So true on keeping up on it...makes it Sooo much easier!
You know guys those look good but I want to step in here and say that you shouldn't need to rinse the engine compartment to keep it nice! I might be full of ideas from too much motorcycle care but I would rather go through a couple of extra Costco MF rags, and chuck them afterwards, than subject wiring connections to possible water intrusion from extra water that is not necessary for a clean engine bay. If you can see it you can get to it with a rag or close enough with some detail spray or maybe a spritz on a rag of your favorite concoction. I suppose I owe you a picture or two but mine looks as good as these, maybe better! lol, and will as long as I own her and no hose will ever need to be used. I may be in the minority and slanted a little too much toward gremlins from my motorcycle days but I wanted to pipe up and be counted. Edit, it actually fits into my hierarchy of cleaning rags. They start working paint or windows then they might go to door thresholds or bonnet undersides, then maybe start to go toward the bottom or barely visible side of rockers and wheel well lips or rims. Then they end up in the engine bay and underside of the car...and then the trash! YMMV
Thanks guys, I love driving my car, but don't enjoy cleaning it. The white powder, I referred to is actually the oxidation from the alloy, I have my header changed to fabspeed's. I think I know why my engine bay was so dirty, it's because the two black metal plates ( from the rear gill) had been removed for a while. It was then become so dirty. But I did notice the water temp was risen from 90c to 100c, after reinstalling them back. again thanks for sharing.
Pat Pat, Are you sure the removal of the 2 rear brackets (parts 3 & 4) would make the engine bay dirty ? Thinking to remove them for better cooling. I am in HK too, pls PM me. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I was told not to spray water on the 360/430 engine bay, because it will pool on the bottom undertray and cause potential damage to the glass once the water turns to steam. I'm not sure how steam can damage tempered glass, though. I would think after a short drive to heat everything up, parking with the engine lid up would cause evaporation of any standing water.
