Engine Bay Detail??

[NSXAT]

Don't be!

It's really quite simple. All you need are 3 things: A good degreaser, a good brush, and common sense. (of course also water, MF towels, etc.)

Start off with a cool engine, grab your hose with the sprayer attachment and put it on "shower" or "center". Then get everything wet, moving the hose rapidly to keep the from the water saturating one area, and possibly damaging something. The idea is to just get everything wet.. not try and loosen dirt. That's what the degreaser and brush is for.

Next: spray on a GOOD degreaser, I personally use a combination of P21S TAW and Meg's APC+. Once you spray it on.. let it dwell for a few minutes. Then grab yourself a good boars hair brush (i prefer the swissvax brush), and start agitating the dirt. Every so often, rinse off the brush to keep it clean. Once you are satisfied with the agitation and it's starting to look clean start to spray it down.

Next: Using the same method, spray down the engine bay using the "shower" or "center" position, but don't keep it in one area too long for fear of over-saturation. Once everything is rinsed off start to blot dry everything you can reach.

Next: Admire your new and clean engine bay. It looks good.. doesn't it!!

Optional: A good dressing goes a long way with an engine bay. The key is to find one that leaves a very nice satin finish. I personally use two products: Meguiars HpyerDressing diluted 3:1 (satin finish) and 303 Aerospace Protectant. The idea behind the dressing is to add a little bit of spice.. which is what the Meg's does. But 303's product goes a step further and conditions the plastics, as well as protect them. It reduces the static cling of the plastics, therefore reducing the amount of dust it attracts.

Cleaning an engine bay is quite fool proof under these circumstances: Do NOT use high pressure.. that's a CEL waiting to happen. Steer clear of the alternator, coil packs, abs for obvious reasons (they can get wet, just don't saturate them). And lastly.. do it while it's cool. Some believe it should be warm. I disagree for the safety of your hands, as well as it reduces potential water spotting on the paint around the engine.

Good luck, post back when you get it cleaned up!!

do I need to cover any specific parts on engine bay? or just nothing at all?

 

[d00t]

do I need to cover any specific parts on engine bay? or just nothing at all?

Good question.. one of much debate. I've done about 20 cars.. ranging from Nissan Sentra, to a Ferrari Scuderia. I have never covered anything. Engine BAYS are not sealed the the elements. When it rains.. they get wet . So in moderation.. water won't hurt anything. The key is moderation. You put 2000psi of water on the coilpacks.. they'll fry. 2000psi at the ABS computer, it'll fry. Hold the hose over the alternator for more than 2 minutes, it'll fry.

Not to scare you, but it DOES happen. But be confident and use common sense and you'll never have issues. Use water around the engine in MODERATION. That is the key.

 

[Mac Attack]

Mine's a daily driver and I clean it often with simple green, purple power or whatever, and also use a pressure washer. Just use common sense what you spray, and you'll be fine. You also don't have to do a perfect job the first time - do a general once-over your first time, and then do a more detailed job some other time to gain confidence.

Watch your cleaning product overspray on your exterior panels. I always clean under the hoods first, and then right away wash the rest of the car.

I also use a long-handled circular stiff-bristled brush to get in tight spots or where I don't want to use high pressure spray.

You can use tire dressing or whatever to finish it off, just make sure you don't get it on your belts, and don't get it on the exterior panels. That stuff is really not good long-term for paint, that's why specific engine dressings are a better choice. Your call.

Dave

 

[AdvansCPAP]

^^
What was your method to remove all the stickers from the engine bay? Especially the big white one on the firewall. I hears it's almost near impossible to take it off because they have practically been baked on for so long. I like to do mine like yours, sticker free. Thanks.

 

[Mac Attack]

Thanks for the compliment!

Just look four threads down :biggrin:

http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98475

 

[smokinfastlegend]

Word of caution, I have noticed a few cars had what looked like anodized parts in the engine bay. If you use Greased Lightning (dont know how many do, but some may,) be very careful as Greased Lightning is powerful enough to remove anodizing from metal surfaces.