Engine bay cleaning

[usp55]

Im gona clean up my engine bay now. I picked up some degreaser and some high heat gloss black engine enamel. What should I cover with aluminum foil to shield it from water? (3.4L engine). I just wanted to spruce it up alittle so i got some minor dress up additions coming by the end of the week and before i get them i want to clean and paint the bay.

[deadtrend1]

I usually take big sip lock bag and put over the Alternator and Usually the dizzy (not in your case her though) and try not to aim for them. Then Let it totally dry out before i run it.

I like to use zep citrus orange degreaser from home depot or/and simple green.

[88Z-Man]

This is a question I wanted to ask also. I heard steam cleaning the bay is a bad idea. During the summer an episode of motorweek talked about this and they said there was a cleaning spray that you used and used a garden hose to clean it off with when it was done doing its job. Did anyone else catch that episode or know the name of the cleaner? I had written it down but lost it. I want to clean mine when I take it out next.

[usp55]

just go to any parts store and in the cleaning isle there are several engine degreasers available. I just picked up a product by black magic that degreases and shines in the same step, curious to clean it now when i get some free time

[Pampered-Z]

I've used the citris stuff with good results. I use plastic bags and masking tapes to seal everything up good. A few cheap stiff brushes, even old tooth brushes help get in the tight areas. Use as little water as possible when rinsing and I try to stay away from all electrical components.

I've never used it, but Simple Green and a scrub brush is said to clean aluminum nicely.

A little paint and armoral on the hoses and a product called backtoblack on the black plastic parts really does a nice job.

Depending on how far you want to go with detailing, there are allot of little things you can do, such as rerouting/hiding wires, new wrap on wires can make a nice difference for a few $$.

[ar0ck]

I've used greased lightning with great results. If I'm just detailing I'll take a small brush, or an old sponge spray a small area and work it in then drip a little bit of water over the area, and clean off with a beat rag.

Then to make it shine I spray a little tire shine onto a rag and go over everything.

[Tru2Chevy]

Simple Green works great (and it's biodegradable, so the treehuggers approve too).

- Justin