Scirocco Central

what is the best stuff for cleaning your engine bay with?

I've never really got into engine bay detailing before. Usually I'd use a damp soapy sponge and a dry cloth but If i'm going to do it I may as well do it properly! Any suggestions?

Autoglym Engine Bay Cleaner and wash off with pretty warm car shampoo/water. Doesn't affect the paint like Gunk.

C.

what about the plastics? I always find those difficult to keep clean but matte with no streaks.

May just have to paint them all, lol!

I use WD40...it works great,,,

Yip, WD40 wiped on with a rag, not sprayed directly on the plastic.

But sometimes use Armorall Tyre Foam on a small sponge or rag and wipe it on. Mainly cos it cleans better and attracts less dirt afterwards. Give a bit "au naturel" look.

C.

Got it RW1

I use the armorall too, only the matt stuff though, not the tacky gloss

The shiney stuff is the dash version???? Hate that, the VW dealers use to plaster that on your car at delivery. Tyre Foam turns into a milky liquid when you spray it into your rag. The plastic has a lustre finish to it. Use it for concours d'elegance, mainly for cleaning (rather than a shine finish) and so the cars look more like the factory finish.

C.

i'm soo tempted to put the hose on low & pop it in mine as there is loads of mud & salt sprayed up the back of the engine bay. yay or nay??

S

trix wrote:i'm soo tempted to put the hose on low & pop it in mine as there is loads of mud & salt sprayed up the back of the engine bay. yay or nay??

S

Should be OK except what the alternator in the front offside. Finish off by wiping all down with a "ringed out" dish cloth and water / car shampoo mix although I actually use a conserver wax mix. The dry off and put a bit of Armorall Tyre Foam on a rag and wipe over the black plastic. Voila!

Run the engine afterwards at idle only for a couple of minutes to clear possible water on the Supercharger and Water pump belt.

C.

ah won't try then as i have short person's syndrome & can't reach the bit i particularly want to clean by hand

This is good.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interior/ ... d_366.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Used on this.

AutoGlym Engine and Machine Cleaner is a good product for the job
http://www.autoperfection.com/shop/Engine-Bay.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For the plastics, Valet Pro Protectant is a good product - you can dilute it as necessary depending on how glossy or satin you want the finish to be
http://www.autoperfection.com/shop/Vale ... 500ml.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For anything else, you could have a look in our Engine Bay section at the products we've got in there
http://www.autoperfection.com/shop/Engine-Bay.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hope this helps

Taryn and Jim

Like CM i have never been interested in keeping under the hood spotless, i never let it get manky.

So new years resolution (mixed with a slight OCD) is to keep things like when i got it. Im going to be doing it by hand and not using Trix's paddling pool style

The only thing im worried about doing is "over cleaning" is that possible? As in if there is a grease on something that needs to be there i dont want to wipe it all off using one of the above products?

The engine bays of most new cars are mostly plastic covers and pipes, unless you own a scoobie very busy in there lol.
Here's what i do, keeping it cheap and not time consuming
Before

After

this only took 25mins and I used an APC, Paper towel, wee sash brush and some AG Viynyl & Rubber Trim. make sure the engines not Hot
Spray the plastics with the APC and agitate and wipe off with paper towel or mf cloth.

Once you have the grime thats in view then get your AG viynyl & trim or any other plastic dressing and spray over the all the plastics getting a good covering like this

then shut the hood and come back in a few hours, you should have a nice shiny bay, you can get a mf cloth and dull it back if you dont want bling shiny
also check small crevices like around some vag airboxes as the dressing wont dry there as it will be wee tiny pools so you may need to get the paper towel and soak it up.