Gunk!

[NSXDRYVER]

stupid question....
but has anyone used engine cleaner gunk in a spray? it says on the label that it could discolor or damage some material.so honestly that scared the hell out of me.
i was hoping to spray down the entire engine compartment,engine and trunk area,but don't want to damage anything.
even if you didn't use gunk,can you tell me what you did use?????
please help,thanks

Gary~

 

[Malibu Rapper]

Simple Green and a good detailing brush is the safest way to go. Those gunk engine cleaners smell just like gasoline and do a very good job with oily stains.

If you have a leaf blower, 10 minutes with it will blow most of the water out of the engine compartment.

 

[Dtrigg]

Simple Green and a good detailing brush is the safest way to go. Those gunk engine cleaners smell just like gasoline and do a very good job with oily stains.

If you have a leaf blower, 10 minutes with it will blow most of the water out of the engine compartment.

I agree with Bradley. I don't think products like Gunk are even available here in California. Can't wash that stuff down the drain. In fact a lot of detailers aren't able to do engine compartment detailing due to some of the laws here. Simple Green and various size paint brushes should serve you well. After you've finished with the cleaning, spray the entire engine compartment with Armor All Tire Cleaner and take the car for a drive. I know, I know...Armor All, but the engine compartment will look like a new car. It's an old detailers's trick.

 

[passline]

Spray 9

 

[shawn110975]

I always use Carb and Choke cleaner, its eats anything that has oil on it in a second.
when I did my whole engine when I first got my NSX it hadnt been cleaned in years, it took me 4 Bottles to clean every thing.

now that my engine is spotless I use maybe 1/4 a can. every few months

I usually do it while the engine is still warm, and the oil is wet.

now after you do it your o2 sensor might come on intill the stuff burns off. but will go away soon.
then I use any tire shine for everything. I dont use the foaming crap the hand spray kind only.

then wipe off the excess and the engine looks like new.

I know some on prime will say never do what I suggest but its worked for me 10-12 years all kinda of cars. never an issue.

 

[DB92]

I agree with Bradley. I don't think products like Gunk are even available here in California. Can't wash that stuff down the drain. In fact a lot of detailers aren't able to do engine compartment detailing due to some of the laws here. Simple Green and various size paint brushes should serve you well. After you've finished with the cleaning, spray the entire engine compartment with Armor All Tire Cleaner and take the car for a drive. I know, I know...Armor All, but the engine compartment will look like a new car. It's an old detailers's trick.

Dude, cmon man. Armor All? You know you would get $hit for that right? Yea, a detailers trick that is only interseted in pleasing the customer on the spot. What about 100 miles down the road when your motor has enought top soil to grow a garden?? I doubt any owner would acctually do this twice if they are foolish enough to do it once. LOL that was good for a laugh.

 

[rbirling]

It doesn't seem to me to be a good idea to use Simple Green on aluminum (like aircraft and NSXs). Their website says it's OK, IF your very careful to keep contact time to less than 10 minutes AND thoroughly wash it off. Otherwise it will accelerate corrosion. They have another product made for aircraft that is actually safe for aluminum per the aircraft industry.

http://www.simplegreen.com/solutions_faqs.php?search_query=aluminum

 

[Russ]

Dude, cmon man. Armor All? You know you would get $hit for that right? Yea, a detailers trick that is only interseted in pleasing the customer on the spot. What about 100 miles down the road when your motor has enought top soil to grow a garden?? I doubt any owner would acctually do this twice if they are foolish enough to do it once. LOL that was good for a laugh.

Don't knock it 'til you try it. Here's the original link and a pic of the results, judge for yourself. Substitute Simple Green for Gunk and the results are still outstanding. I used this technique on my NSXs and other vehicles and no crops growing yet.

http://1017.org/nsx/Enginetrick/EngineTrick.htm

 

[Hapa88]

Don't knock it 'til you try it. Here's the original link and a pic of the results, judge for yourself. Substitute Simple Green for Gunk and the results are still outstanding. I used this technique on my NSXs and other vehicles and no crops growing yet.

http://1017.org/nsx/Enginetrick/EngineTrick.htm

+1. This trick works great. I've done it on all my cars and is a great way to dress up an engine bay for a car show or a sale.

The Armour All Tire shine doesn't attract dust like it does on vinyl parts. I think it's either because the formula is different from the standard spray or the heat of the engine bay embeds the oils into the hoses and plastics. . .

As for the original poster's question.
I use Greased Lightning engine degreaser. It doesn't have any of that harsh chemical smell that Gunk does.

 

[DB92]

Don't knock it 'til you try it. Here's the original link and a pic of the results, judge for yourself. Substitute Simple Green for Gunk and the results are still outstanding. I used this technique on my NSXs and other vehicles and no crops growing yet.


http://1017.org/nsx/Enginetrick/EngineTrick.htm

So is the example picture taken after 100 miles of driving? I have not actually tried this exact product cited so perhaps I may have to eat my words..( not the first time so you have a point with that old adage.
I have a hard time with the idea of cleaning my motor and then spraying it down with an amor all product...Could you tell? I think I would just leave it clean.

Yes, your motor does look nice in that photo! No sign of vegetation...yet

 

[Hapa88]

So is the example picture taken after 100 miles of driving? I have not actually tried this exact product cited so perhaps I may have to eat my words..( not the first time so you have a point with that old adage.
I have a hard time with the idea of cleaning my motor and then spraying it down with an amor all product...Could you tell? I think I would just leave it clean.

Yes, your motor does look nice in that photo! No sign of vegetation...yet

That picture is probably taken about 30 minutes later. . .you don't need to drive that far, just long enough to get the engine warm enough to evaporate the excess water and tire spray. I'd change the instructions to be like this:

1) Start preferably in the morning when you engine is very very cold – you want to minimize evaporation.

2) Open up your engine compartment, and spray Engine degreaser everywhere you possibly can. Try shooting it from different angles, standing in different places around the engine compartment. Spray extra or reapply in those excessively dirty/oily areas

3) Let that sit for 15-20 min.

4) Next, take a garden hose and gently rinse everything off (preferably with a sprinkler attachment) you do not want to use pressure here! (you can use a pressure washer, just be extremely mindful of the delicate parts/electronics)

5) Use some sort of air blower to get rid of any puddles of water. I use a shop vac that I can switch the hose into the exhaust side and that works fairly well

6) To lock-in the shinyness, use Armorall foaming tire cleaner and spray this on all the parts that are black (hoses, airbox, etc.) Be sure to get max coverage by shooting at all angles

7) Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes

8) Drive the car or run the engine for 30 min or so to evaporate all the water/excess foam.

9) Open the hood and reapply the Armor all tire foam to any areas that you missed

 

[Russ]

So is the example picture taken after 100 miles of driving? ..snip.. Yes, your motor does look nice in that photo! No sign of vegetation...yet

Thanks. That pic was taken in the garage. The light happened to shine perfectly on the engine so I grabbed the camera and snapped a few pics. I'd say it was taken within 500 miles of driving since doing "the trick."

 

[ChopsJazz]

I agree with Bradley. I don't think products like Gunk are even available here in California. Can't wash that stuff down the drain. In fact a lot of detailers aren't able to do engine compartment detailing due to some of the laws here. Simple Green and various size paint brushes should serve you well. After you've finished with the cleaning, spray the entire engine compartment with Armor All Tire Cleaner and take the car for a drive. I know, I know...Armor All, but the engine compartment will look like a new car. It's an old detailers's trick.

I hate to disagree with Doug, but he is about as old as Moses and has missed out on some of the latest detailing improvements. Next time you detail under the hood (the front one or the back one) try using Pig Spit. The Harley guys have known about this stuff for years. It makes all the rubber and plastic look brand new.

I was happy to see that Doug mentioned the use of water however. It's a recent development since he was an adolescent. :wink:

 

[Vega$ NSX]

As for the original poster's question.
I use Greased Lightning engine degreaser. It doesn't have any of that harsh chemical smell that Gunk does.

Meh, that stuff is ok, but this stuff REALLY works!

The Travolta really breaks up the grime.

 

[Dtrigg]

I hate to disagree with Doug, but he is about as old as Moses and has missed out on some of the latest detailing improvements. Next time you detail under the hood (the front one or the back one) try using Pig Spit. The Harley guys have known about this stuff for years. It makes all the rubber and plastic look brand new.

I was happy to see that Doug mentioned the use of water however. It's a recent development since he was an adolescent. :wink:

After this public bashing, I think you owe me lunch tomorrow.:wink:

 

[ChopsJazz]

After this public bashing, I think you owe me lunch tomorrow.:wink:

Sorry Doug, I thought you would still be out on your Hoveround tour of the retirement center and you'd miss your internet time... :redface:

I'll buy your lunch tomorrow, but only if you remember to bring your AARP Gold Card for a discount.

 

[NSXrunner]

Simple Green + Water. Works for me. Never used the Gunk stuff...except for the oil stains on the garage floor left by the old 80's Pontiac Station Wagon of doom. :biggrin:

 

[DB92]

Thanks. That pic was taken in the garage. The light happened to shine perfectly on the engine so I grabbed the camera and snapped a few pics. I'd say it was taken within 500 miles of driving since doing "the trick."

LOL, "the trick".. Im so hell bent against this no matter how good it works!...haha ok so this stuff is not the same as the grease I have seen other motors sprayed down with.