Engine Detailing

[mac823]

So there's many different methods I use to detail my engines. There are different methods for different amounts of dirt/grime. Here's a quick example of the best way to get a quick,deep shine (especially on the plastics) when you only have 5-10mins to work on it.

Make sure the engine is cool, take some towels (I use microfiber for everythingggg), dip them and water, and do a quick wipe over the engine bay.

Cover the intercooler and intake, grab a can of Tire Foam....yes I said tire foam (I use Meguiars)...and spray down the engine bay with it, avoiding areas where exposed wires may be. Make sure that you don't heavily coat everything, not only is it not needed, but you don't want the potential to damage anything.

Let it sit for 2-3 minutes, then come back and just wipe down everything that you sprayed down.

I like to let the engine run for a few minutes to get some of the fumes to go away, but really the best thing to do is find a foaming tire spray that has barely any scent to it.

This works amazinggg on all of the rubber hoses that never want to clean or stay dark!


If anyone has serious questions regarding engine detailing and different ways to go about it all just PM me or ask me here, I am very well versed on this and a lottt of other detailing areas.

I just did this on the engine and on the underside of the hood. Things were quiteee dirty as I hadn't cleaned the engine bay in 2-3 months. In 7 minutes this was the result:

[OMGWTFHAX]

So how bad does it smells when you drive?

[starscream]

Thats pimp! I gotta clean my engine bay SERIOUSLY! Its pretty disgusting under there. The previous owner didnt do JACK to clean it. I havent had time AND I knew not to do it until after winter (got the car oil sprayed too for rust protection). So any tips on a HEAVY HEAVY dirty engine bay would be appreciated.

[mac823]

Originally Posted by OMGWTFHAX So how bad does it smells when you drive?

Shit, forgot to add that part in....I run the engine for 5 mins when I'm done and that makes it go away quick. I barely smelled anything when I drove it 20 mins after cleaning it.

The best thing though is to find a foaming tire spray that has barely any scent to it.

Originally Posted by starscream Thats pimp! I gotta clean my engine bay SERIOUSLY! Its pretty disgusting under there. The previous owner didnt do JACK to clean it. I havent had time AND I knew not to do it until after winter (got the car oil sprayed too for rust protection). So any tips on a HEAVY HEAVY dirty engine bay would be appreciated.

Hahaha I've been there before man...you have some work ahead of you....biggest things you need to get are small auto brushes or different sized toothbrushes, grab some "Engine Brite" Gel degreaser or "Engine Brite" Foaming degreaser. Make sure you do this when the engine is 100% cool (like in the morning) Cover any parts that you do not want wet (intake, COPs, wiring, etc.). Take the hose and spray the engine down quickly, once done let it partially dry then take your foaming degreaser and go to town...cover the wholeee engine bay. Let it sit for a minute, that get to scrubbing with those brushes. Once this is done, I like to repeat the process again (hose down quickly, degreaser, scrub). After this has been done 2-3 times, repeat again and this time wipe the degreaser off with a towel. Now hose it down again, then turn your engine on and let it run for 5 mins and dry everything. Let the engine cool again and then use my tire foam system to make it pop. It will take a good 1-2 hours to clean the engine thoroughly so be prepared.

[starscream]

^^ Pimp will do!

[Chinsel]

DANG! That's super clean! I gotta do mine soon cuz when I drove over to Palm Springs sand were everywhere in my engine bay.

[Regulator]

I def gotta clean under there sometime soon/ check for debris lol

[M4Nathan]

Edited out for me being a dumbass noob.

[Addikted To Boost]

Originally Posted by M4Nathan Mine is pretty bad as well and I dont want to eff anything up. Mind posting a full write up within the month or so? Or just a few pics of you cleaning yours the next time you do would be fine too...

jesus christ man are you serious? Wipe the shit off with a wet fucking rag, then cover the intercooler and intake, the spray all the plastic and rubber shit with foaming tire shine, then wait a minute and wipe the shit off. Is that too fucking difficult to understand?

[mac823]

Originally Posted by Addikted To Boost jesus christ man are you serious? Wipe the shit off with a wet fucking rag, then cover the intercooler and intake, the spray all the plastic and rubber shit with foaming tire shine, then wait a minute and wipe the shit off. Is that too fucking difficult to understand?

Hahahahaha that had me laughing out loud. M4 it really is that easy...Maybe I will do a write-up on engine detailing when I do my cobras engine though...we will see!

[BlackMS3]

I'll have to try this someday when it stops fucking raining...

I haven't cleaned mine in years...

[KayWhy]

Don't use tire foam, or at least spray it everywhere. Its a petroleum based product and will erode rubber and plastic over time as well as the fact that its combustible. Use something like meguire's back to black on your plastics for a safer result and same look

[mac823]

Originally Posted by KayWhy Don't use tire foam, or at least spray it everywhere. Its a petroleum based product and will erode rubber and plastic over time as well as the fact that its combustible. Use something like meguire's back to black on your plastics for a safer result and same look

A majority of tire foams are no longer petroleum based. Looked up the ingredients of this tire foam before I purchased it.

[jonathan732]

it looks so clean i need to steam my engine to get rid of the gunk

[RayRayBauder]

i was surprised to see your speed3 in this thread. i forgot that you even had one. every time i see your name i think "this fucking guy and his fast ass cobra" lol.

[mac823]

Originally Posted by jonathan732 it looks so clean i need to steam my engine to get rid of the gunk

Yahhh man....that realllllly helps if there's a TON of gunk...but a majority can come off from these things!

Originally Posted by RayRayBauder i was surprised to see your speed3 in this thread. i forgot that you even had one. every time i see your name i think "this fucking guy and his fast ass cobra" lol.

Hahahahaha so true man....but yuppp I do own an MS3...drive it everyyy day! And of course I have to keep it looking amazing as well!! No half-assing it, even with the daily driver lol

[event]

will conventional engine cleaners/degreasers get the white oxidation off of the engine itself? Or do I need to scrape that off or something?

[GeeZee]

Originally Posted by event will conventional engine cleaners/degreasers get the white oxidation off of the engine itself? Or do I need to scrape that off or something?

That's a good question. I haven't found anything that will take that oxidation off, but I'd certainly like to know if there is something out there that will.

[mac823]

White oxidation is nearly impossible to remove...I've still yet to find something that will remove it

[theschrum]

The tire shine works good on the cover. Shines nicely.

[ReD BoY]

Originally Posted by starscream Thats pimp! I gotta clean my engine bay SERIOUSLY! Its pretty disgusting under there. The previous owner didnt do JACK to clean it. I havent had time AND I knew not to do it until after winter (got the car oil sprayed too for rust protection). So any tips on a HEAVY HEAVY dirty engine bay would be appreciated.

nonononono... none of this magic foam garbage. Elbow grease, that's all you need

haha, naa... definetely do the degreasers n whatever, but elbow grease is definetely necessary

[TurboJew]

OOOOOOO AHHHH PRETTY

NICE PICS AND LOVE THE COBRA BUILD MAN

[John F]

P21S Total Auto Wash is German nobility in a spray bottle!

i use nothing else

[07ms3obrien]

The tire shin u sponge onto your tires works really well on the plastics and rubbers under the hood also...don't have to worry about over spray.

[dastpe]

this tire stuff works wonders on the plastics. the best time i found to do it is right after you wash the car, because thats the only time im motivated to get the whole car clean.

[s!lv!a]

I've always used this stuff called "ED2" I believe, works absolutely wonderful..

[SIC]

I have OCD when it comes to cleaning my cars, haha

but when it comes to the engine which i do at least 1-2 a week, its pretty simple, Use simple Green to clean the engine, then shine for plastic and hoeses, then use wax to keep the strut bar clean.

2006 speed6:



and my old baby (dont mind the missing emblem, someone wanted it more then me i guess)

[Modelcsr08@yahoo.com]

Another good engine cleaner is furniture polish, spray in engine bay avoid spraying on IC and Air Filter. It will not hurt your hoses, harness, etc. Wipe down and then spray again and leave it on for a couple days you'll see great results.

[bfak66]

Originally Posted by mac823 So there's many different methods I use to detail my engines. There are different methods for different amounts of dirt/grime. Here's a quick example of the best way to get a quick,deep shine (especially on the plastics) when you only have 5-10mins to work on it. Make sure the engine is cool, take some towels (I use microfiber for everythingggg), dip them and water, and do a quick wipe over the engine bay. Cover the intercooler and intake, grab a can of Tire Foam....yes I said tire foam (I use Meguiars)...and spray down the engine bay with it, avoiding areas where exposed wires may be. Make sure that you don't heavily coat everything, not only is it not needed, but you don't want the potential to damage anything. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes, then come back and just wipe down everything that you sprayed down. I like to let the engine run for a few minutes to get some of the fumes to go away, but really the best thing to do is find a foaming tire spray that has barely any scent to it. This works amazinggg on all of the rubber hoses that never want to clean or stay dark! If anyone has serious questions regarding engine detailing and different ways to go about it all just PM me or ask me here, I am very well versed on this and a lottt of other detailing areas. I just did this on the engine and on the underside of the hood. Things were quiteee dirty as I hadn't cleaned the engine bay in 2-3 months. In 7 minutes this was the result:

What is the best way to clean an intercooler?

[faeker]

i'm gonna say after almost 4 years, this thread is dead.