Engine bay cleaning

[Dual]

Newbie here looking for tips on keeping the engine compartment clean. With my previous car I'd put a plastic bag over the distributor cap, spray Gunk degreaser around, brush things where appropriate and rinse with a hose spray. Then 303 protectant where appropriate. All this about 2-3 times yearly. That (1993) car was simpler, though, and perhaps our cars can't take that kind of treatment?

Fire away... :fingerscrossed

24646

[BMWCurves]

Interested as well, I really need to do this on my car since I don't think it's ever had the engine bay cleaned. Some people say you can go ahead and pretty much spray anything in there but the non-sealed electrical connections and sensors make me nervous.

I plan to pick up some Simple Green from Amazon for the job down the line, need to pick out a protectant/sealant though.

[Karl Lazlo]

Some people say you can go ahead and pretty much spray anything in there but the non-sealed electrical connections and sensors make me nervous.

I am one of those people that say no to that. Had my 03 detailed last year and water got into one of the xenon ballasts, as the seal had aged enough at that point... ooops. Needed a new ballast.

[fw_fw]

Interested as well, I really need to do this on my car since I don't think it's ever had the engine bay cleaned. Some people say you can go ahead and pretty much spray anything in there but the non-sealed electrical connections and sensors make me nervous.

I plan to pick up some Simple Green from Amazon for the job down the line, need to pick out a protectant/sealant though.

Simple Green is way to strong and will etch itself into many things, including metal. Try P21S instead:

http://www.detailedimage.com/Auto-Detailing-Guide/Engine-Bay/

[Vas]

My two favorite products for cleaning engine bays and making them look matte.


http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160228/3da5f308b77379c7e85ad8a64403b3a3.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160228/7f9823325b6cab9d402f242c238949e4.jpg

[Dual]

Thanks, folks. I have a bunch of P21 left over from when I ran Fuchs wheels, so that will be a good start.

[Vas]

This is the after pic from using the Adam's products I posted above

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160514/1c96b3969775f8e25a0776b62232a280.jpg

[ELCID86]

Looks great.

[Dual]

I think I'm sold


Tapatalk / iPhone

[Vas]

I think I'm sold


Tapatalk / iPhone
I like the Adam's products. Not expensive and a good result.

Simple to use.

I sprayed down everything with all purpose cleaner, then agitated the dirt with a soft bristle brush in the hard spots then rinsed it off.

Then dry it and apply the dressing.

[Dual]

Thanks for this. What areas if any need protection from water before a gentle rinse?

[ELCID86]

I recommend covering the alternator with a shopping bag.

[Vas]

I recommend covering the alternator with a shopping bag.
This. And avoid spraying water into one section for a long time.

[BMWCurves]

What do you guys use to rehydrate rubber components like the rubber around the drug bin?

[Cadeez]

My two favorite products for cleaning engine bays and making them look matte.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160228/3da5f308b77379c7e85ad8a64403b3a3.jpg

Not sure what the "drug bin" is, but I'm 100% behind Adam's In & Out spray. This stuff is the jam. In fact I just picked up a 3 pack, link below. I use it on my bumper trim as well. Bonus, it smells like baby powder. You don't have to wipe it down afterwards, but I usually give it a light once over so it doesn't attract dirt/dust. Although I just sprayed and left it on badly sunned spots like the cowl and cabin filter cover

http://adamspolishes.com/adam-s-in-out-spray-3-pack.html

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4187/34556273965_2e48140f00_b.jpg

[BMWCurves]

I need my engine bay to look like that.