What is the best way to keep your engine bay looking like new? Is it ok to take it to the self service car wash? Suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Just a quick cleaning once a week will keep things from building up on you. I usually wask inside the bay every weekend and dust or wipe it down between washings.

 

Here is what I do. Anyone with an opinion is welcome to add it.

Warm up your car for 5 minutes.

Go buy some "Orange degreaser" orange botttle with a black sprayer.
This product will not hurt your paint or any polised finish.

Put your car on some kind of hill, facing down. Maybe two front wheels in the street back twoo in drive way.

With engine warm, liberally spray the whole engine bay, from many angles.

Use a few small brushes to get into the little tight spots.

Wait five minutes then with just your gardens hose wash down everything well.
Again from many angles.

Close your hood take a 15 - 20 minute drive. This will dry off your car.
Open hood and wipe down everything getting all the little puddles.

Example: 2005 Mustang Gt...Black plastic A/C bracket near steering wheel holds water.

Now I know you won't be lieve me but here is the easy part.

Buy a can of aresol tire shine any brand will do.

Most parts under your hood are rubber plastic etc.

Now spray everything "be carefull of overspray" use a 6"x18" piece of carboard as a guard.

After everthing is WET looking. Use an ordinary sponge to wipe everthing that is ruber of plastic down. Example: all hoses, taped electrical harness.

Use a towel to wipe down the rest.

Clean everthing up well.

Now just take your car for a cruise and show of your beautilly detailed engine bay.

Everywhere I go people ask me how I keep my engine so clean.
If anyone has questions please feel free to ask.

 

Intruder, thanks for the detailed plan! I used to do something like this to my '69 Mustang but was afraid to do it to the 2005 with all the electronics. Evidently that's not a problem!

 

That's not a problem at all. Remember, where do you think all the water goes when it's raining? The electronics are built to be in a harsh environment that will get wet.

I use the engine cleaner, and pre-soak options at the local coin-op, works great!

 

One piece of advice. I always leave the car running when spraying water in it. I was always told to do this buy other mechanics, and try to keep clear of spraying big amounts into electric items, such as relays coil packs etc. Considering each cylinder has its own coil , I would probably try to stay away from spraying directly on coils, alternator etc. a lot of times people that wouldnt do this, would have to let car completely dry before car would restart, from wet plug wires, distributors etc. Yes I know there is not any plug wires but keeping it running, it will also help it dry off any necessary items before shutting down. Just my thoughts.

 

Thanks for the input! I appreciate it~

 

Simple Green.

 

Awesome advice!!!!!!!! I did it to my '68 GT/CS today and it works great!!!!!!!

 

Simple Green IS good stuff. Here's another tip to prevent water spots after washing your engine. Use you shop vac on blow to displace 99% of the water and use a sponge or towel to get the rest. Just make sure that your vac has a clean filter and that the hose is cleared of dirt first. I use this method to dry my motorcycle and sometimes the front grill of my mustang, which seems to hold a lot of water in and around it.

 

My shop vac has a detachable engine to use as a blower - I use that to dry the entire car (especially the grill) and I don't have to drag anything across the paint. Works great for getting the water out of the door handles and trim.

 

Thanks to everyone for their advice.

I'll put it to use this weekend.

 

Leaf blower's are great for getting 99% of the water off of the car after washing it, followed up with a light towel wipe-down.

 

BRILLIANT! :dance: