Detailing Engine Bay?

[RowdyBurns]

My engine bay, being 5 years old, is looking a little unclean lately. I am going to give it a decent wash but my question is what products to use to bring the pipes and airbox up to a detailed standard. This pic I found on carsales is what I am looking for.

[spoolxr6]

Very easy to achieve matey. Just use a degreaser first. Don't be shy to use on everything. Just be careful around the coil pack cover because if you get water down there you will have to pull the coil packs out to dry out. Then use a silicon based product like a tyre shine of some sort and spray on all the black rubber and plastic bits. BTW it will only look like that for about a week becuase the silicon will attract heaps of dirt and dust but its easy to up keep. Good Luck and post up a pic of the results!

[RowdyBurns]

Thanks for the tips dude. Tyre shine - of course, I didn't even think of that.

[bradles024]

Let the car run for a while to dry the tyre shine, then give it a wipe with a cloth, comes up awesome.

[RegSpec]

My intake looks daggy too....has anybody used anything like sprayon mag wheel cleaner on theirs?.....

[Rancidpunx]

Dont use a silicon based product!!!!

Silicon is not good around your electrics and can cause problems. Not to mention it gets airborne and covers you the rest of your car with tiny greasy spots.

If your engine is greasy and oily then hit it all over with degreaser and pressure hose it off first. As stated above be careful around your coil cover and again obviously your electrics. Then use a small brush and some all purpose cleaner and do the tricky bits by hand. You can start here if your engine bay is just dusty.

To dress it and make it look like it just left the factory get some 303 Aerospace Protectant. Its a long lasting product and anti-static so should help keep the dust off.

Edited 21/06/11 09:11 PM by Rancidpunx

[xpl0sive]

Dont use a silicon based product!!!!

Silicon is not good around your electrics and can cause problems. Not to mention it gets airborne and covers you the rest of your car with tiny greasy spots.

If your engine is greasy and oily then hit it all over with degreaser and pressure hose it off first. As stated above be careful around your coil cover and again obviously your electrics. Then use a small brush and some all purpose cleaner and do the tricky bits by hand. You can start here if your engine bay is just dusty.

To dress it and make it look like it just left the factory get some 303 Aerospace Protectant. Its a long lasting product and anti-static so should help keep the dust off.

I second this. I don't use anything silicone based on my car.

I only use mild degreasers, usually citrus based as I know they won't damage anything. Agitate stubborn areas with a small brush. I prefer not to use water but rather a damp cloth instead. Would only use water if it's really dirty, but my engine bay has always been pretty clean anyway so never really had to.

Vinylex, Vuplex and Zaino Z-16 are also good products to use.