How to Keep The Engine Clean (Cosmetic)

[Germy2011]

This is my first new car, Already put 5k miles and regret not a single mile, its my daily. I have been doing a great job on keeping this car looking fresh, but what do you guys recommend (product wise) to wipe the engine and keep everything clean like new. Including cables and everything. Please send me to a thread or take a minute to help me. I want to take care of my nice toys!

22 year old here

Germy2011

[SoChrisB]

I spray mine down with light water then wipe clean with glass cleaner. Seems weird but a buddy of mine who details cars suggested it and it cleans it up very well.

[Germy2011]

i just have always been told that spraying down your engine is bad. Is this really ok?

[SoChrisB]

Yes, just don't use a heavy spray. I use a mist.

[myold88]

Originally Posted by Germy2011

i just have always been told that spraying down your engine is bad. Is this really ok?

I stay away from my engine except for the cover. I use a SOFT paint brush all around
the outer perimeter with "Simple Green" deluted 50%. Also do the L & R
inner fenders and shock towers. Let it sit for a minute and then spray down with
a light hose mist. I then wipe down the inner hood, fenders, air cleaner, engine parts,
cowl panel, etc with a soft cotton towel. Dry everything the best you can making
sure you keep the outer body panels dry as you go. In 6 years I've done the
above every year and it still looks good. Remember, the less water the better.

[Adam's Polishes]

Guys here is a good video on cleaning your engine compartment.

[Germy2011]

Originally Posted by myold88

I stay away from my engine except for the cover. I use a SOFT paint brush all around
the outer perimeter with "Simple Green" deluted 50%. Also do the L & R
inner fenders and shock towers. Let it sit for a minute and then spray down with
a light hose mist. I then wipe down the inner hood, fenders, air cleaner, engine parts,
cowl panel, etc with a soft cotton towel. Dry everything the best you can making
sure you keep the outer body panels dry as you go. In 6 years I've done the
above every year and it still looks good. Remember, the less water the better.

Myold88,

Thats what i am talking about. You took the time and explained everything i needed. Thank you! I appreciate the time you had. I will let the engine build up a litter more and attempt this! Thanks!

Germy2011

[BRZN]

Water's fine to use in the engine bay on Gen5 Camaro's. Vehicles from the 80's, when computer's were first starting to come about in the auto industry, and prior to that when many electrical components were exposed need care taken.

I do use a pressure washer some, but mostly just the regular hose I use to wash the car. Common scene goes a long way. Do you have an exposed air filter? Don't directly spray it, cover it with a plastic bag. Don't spray directly at the alternator or electrical connections. Most everything on modern cars is water tight. Also, I use many different types of brushes to get into tight areas, nooks, and cranny's.
Blow dry as much as you can under the hood, then close the hood and run the engine for 20 minutes or so to make sure everything has thoroughly dried.

I wash the engine bays of our daily driver's twice a year, every year with no problems.
Here's a pic of my wife's 2007 Volvo XC70 I took on a detail (don't have too many stock engine bay pictures) a couple years ago. It still looks the same today with 90,000 miles on it.