2013 ZL1 Engine Detailing

[ZL1Nation]

Hello everyone. I am a new member who has been using this forum for several months to educate myself on the Gen5 ZL1 Camaro. I would like to thank everyone for all of the great information that has been shared within the site.
I purchased a one owner, Black, 2013 ZL1 with 5400 miles on it. I now have about 6700 miles on it and today I am installing a catch can.
I keep the car very clean as it is not my daily driver. I am looking for everyone’s opinion on detailing the engine bay. I want to go ahead and clean it up some today. I also am wondering what is causing the white specks on the metal parts. I apologize if a thread on detailing already has been covered but I am in the middle of this now and just wanted to know how everyone else is detailing their engine bay. Thanks.

[JB'sZL1]

That's oxidation on aluminum. You could scrub with Flitz or some other metal polish.

[StreetRage320]

yes JB is spot on, I went to Napa and got an aluminum wheel polish and emery cloth. I found even when going with the grain the emery cloth would leave scratches. Then I just used a polish and my microfiber towel and that did the trick.

glad to hear I am not the only OCD person in this forum.

[ZL1Nation]

Thanks for the input. Yes I am OCD. I just wiped the pieces off and they came clean. The catch can is installed. That was my first engine mod. Guess I will start a performance mod thread next as I go through next year. I am a big audio person so check out the pic of my first audio mod. Thanks again guys.

[StreetRage320]

nice subs, did you make your own enclosure? I haven't touched my audio yet, looked into pre-fabricated powered enclosures, but they typically just had one 10-12" sub and were pricey. I prefer your setup with the dual subs against the back seat.

[ZL1Nation]

I had the trunk custom made.

[Viczl1]

Go to the Harley Davidson dealer or Amazon and buy Pig Spit. Soak everything with it. Let it sit 10 minutes and wipe away any excess with a cloth.

[StreetRage320]

Originally Posted by Viczl1

Go to the Harley Davidson dealer or Amazon and buy Pig Spit. Soak everything with it. Let it sit 10 minutes and wipe away any excess with a cloth.

I have never heard of that, will it remove oxidation from aluminum?

[ZO6 Bryan]

The car sat outside a lot in the weather. If garaged it wouldn't have those oxidation spots all over the aluminum.

[twp]

The Pig Spit is good stuff. I use it on my bike every time I clean it. I have used it on the car and truck also.

[Viczl1]

Spray it on and rub the oxidation right off.

[Viczl1]

NEVER use steel wool, scotch bright, or anything like that. The fibers will get pushed into the aluminum and quickly rust or discolor it. That I don’t know how to fix other then sanding.

[VRZL113]

That oxidation in the photos can come from engine cleaners as well.

You have to becareful with degreasers and such, because most are too harsh to spray on aluminum.

When I detail engines, I generally use a very diluted simple green mix and blow dry the engine with my air compressor immediately after rinsing.

[ZMEnow]

Originally Posted by VRZL113

That oxidation in the photos can come from engine cleaners as well.

You have to becareful with degreasers and such, because most are too harsh to spray on aluminum.

When I detail engines, I generally use a very diluted simple green mix and blow dry the engine with my air compressor immediately after rinsing.

Its just normal moisture oxidation on aluminum. My car has never been outside over night, never seen rain or a car wash and always covered in the garage. But since my garage is not heated, I get some small amounts of the same on the engine and the trans.