under the hood cleaning

[asnutter77]

What does everyone use when detailing everything under the hood?

[BRZN]

Cool Engine
Pressure washer
Adam's All Purpose Cleaner
Every different size and shape brush I can find
Dried with Master Blaster
Close hood and let idle for 10 minutes or so
Dress with Adam's VRT and In & Out Spray.

[O.F.]

Spray everything good with Simple Green. Let it sit for a few minutes. Give the big surfaces a wipe. Hose down staying away from electrical stuff. Should look like brandy new again.

[ClawSS]

This is what we used back when showing our Impala SS. This is for a decent engine to begin with so might be your go-to after elbow grease is applied for horribly soiled areas. You can insert your favorite dressing for where Armor-All is referenced. It will work. Trust me. Simple Green is ok for greasy messes, but can discolor raw aluminum. Windex is safer. Also, don't get vigorous with a pressure washer. You run a risk of pushing water past seals or tape that is there to attempt to keep larger particles out...not pressurized water.

Engine Cleaning/Detailing

1) On a hot/warm engine, spray the entire engine compartment down with Windex.
Close the hood and wait @ 3-5 minutes.


2) Lift the hood and mist the engine compartment with water. Now spray
the entire area with Armor All. Close the hood and again wait 3-5 minutes.


3) Repeat the Windex and Armor All application again. Now, after the second
coat of Armor All, close up the engine compartment and wash and detail
the exterior of your car.


4)When you are finished, open the hood and wipe down any excess Armor All.

[Gayton81]

Easily done with Chemical Guys Grime Reaper, let set then spray again and clean with brushes. After that, spray Chemical Guys Black on Black from the aerosol can...cleans easy and looks show ready and not greasy.


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[mudwheel57]

I don't get it dirty.

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...fessional.html

[myold88]

Originally Posted by O.F.

Spray everything good with Simple Green. Let it sit for a few minutes. Give the big surfaces a wipe. Hose down staying away from electrical stuff. Should look like brandy new again.

Simple greens all you need along with a small soft paint brush. Just spray the
cleaner around the outer areas including the radiator support, shock towers,
air cleaner, etc and brush those areas lightly. After a few minutes rinse with a
fine spray. I always stay away from the engine but just wipe off the overspray.
I do this once a year or so and it still looks near new 7 years later.
Recent photo:

[1FAST SS]

Adam's all purpose cleaner for general cleaning. I use in and out spray for plastics under the hood.

[Grabber]

Personally, I would NOT use a pressure washer on your engine bay, even a hose for that matter.

Soft bristle brushes, a diluted degreaser and light agitating after a 10 minute soak.

After I remove heavy dirt, I use 303 aerospace cleaner and protectant for a matte finish.

With newer cars, there are far too many small clips and plugs that could come loose with that kind of force. Not to mention you're opening up the doors for liability if you do something wrong and cannot fix it. Play it safe and take more time to do a better job.

[BRZN]

I agree not to use a pressure washer or hose in cars from the 1980's when computer's were first coming into play under the hood. Today's vehicles have water tight connectors and are fine as long as you use some common sense. All the pictures in post #2 above were cleaned with a pressure washer except the orange GTO with absolutely no problems.

[Maiden69]

Pressure washer is not the problem... when you have issues is when it becomes an operator error. Pressure washer is a tool that can be misused. If you have an electric washer (2000psi or less) it will be very unlikely that you will do any damage to anything under the hood other than the hood heat insulation. With the gas powered, yes you need to be careful. There is no need to have the nozzle less than 1' from any surface, if there is so much gunk that you see the need to do so, you need to get the degreaser a brush and some elbow grease and work it out.

I used everything under the rainbow, Simple Green diluted 1/1 works great on a semi clean engine. Adams APC is awesome, as a lot of other APC out there. Go to youtube, there are plenty of videos comparing different brands.

For detailing after wash, I am using Adams VRT as well, I like the In and Out spray, but I don't like that it is not as durable as the VRT. Other option is PERL.

[Adam's Polishes]

Here is some good info for you.

http://www.adamsforums.com/topic/288...what-to-cover/

[HammerZL1]

Aha, this thread just reminded me I need some In-N-Out Spray, I've got 1/2 a can left. Adams has it on sale right now and with the discount code even better. I've been using it for over 10 years now and there really isn't anything better for under the hood, weather strips inside and out, black trim pieces and hard to reach areas. makes everything look new again. Everything else I've tried just isn't right, too shiny or wet looking. It wipes off surrounding areas very easy. Just love this stuff. I remember when Adam was having some problems making it environmentally friendly and I couldn't get any for awhile. I know I had In-N-Out Spray withdrawals, LOL. I always try to have some around now.