I don't care about going to shows but I'd like to clean under the hood, it's getting pretty dirty!

However, I'm afraid of shorting something out or damaging something by simply using a garden hose or my pressure washer.

How do you guys that show your cars do it? It doesn't have to be show quality, but I really want to lose the dirt/dust/grime that has accumulated under the hood.

Advice?

 

Don't use a high pressure hose and you should be ok to rinse off everything.
I waxed all the paint areas under the hood with Zaino. Then I use a wet cotton towel and water to wipe down everything. Then I go over the plastic/rubber pieces with Zaino Z-16.
I don't show my car, but it stays pretty clean.

 

Thats just smart money taking care of your car.It'll pay off when its time for a new ride.

 

If your gonna clean the underhood of the car, you should do it with a light stream of water with the engine running. i use mothers reflextions wax for under my hood and its a beauty. Remember when your spraying water make sure the engine is running so you dont risk engine failure later on with some of the parts. Black magic also sells an underhood kit that is decent

 

i just use a wet shop towel or a small moist terry towel, anything that can hold a bit of water but not enough to cause a short and a pencil or long thin flat head screw driver to get to all the hard to reach and tight places

 

A good help is a leaf blower, After your done with the water, blow it out. Best if you do the engine before the exterior

 

If you want to be extra safe just cover your air filter, alternator, fuse box, and battery with trash bags.

 

Just cover the air filter with a bag. I used Gunk Foamy Engine brite and it does a great job. Let it sit for a few minutes and spray it off with a garden hose. I then wipe down the engine bay to dry it off. Finish off with a protectant for the hoses and you are done. I've been doing this for years with no problems.

 

I don't use pressurized water or anything pressurized. Just a bucket of water, Simple Green, a medium sized scrub brush, an old toothbrush and one roll of paper towels. Then I go to town! Takes less than 20 minutes and the Simple Green does wonders to rubber components.

 

I pressure wash my engine. I used to be an auto detailer and found that older vehicles are the ones you have to be careful with. These new ones, you can blast the **** out of them and nothing will happen. The best results to a clean engine is to spray Gunk engine degreaser on the engine when it's warm. Let it stand for a few minutes so it can eat away the grime, then have it with the pressure washer. Also, before you degrease soak your fenders and front bumper so that the degreaser does not stain your finish. When dry, shine up the plastic and hoses with a non-silicone based tire dressing. Here are a few shots of what it will turn out like. For the car show shine look closely at the air intake hose in the second picture.

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h1..._0153Small.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h1..._0199Small.jpg

 

Timely thread. I was just thinking today that I need to detail my engine bay.

I was going through a small town the other day and a guy was out with a pressure washer spraying all the engines on a dealers lot. I guess lots of people want to see those engines on the mid priced Chevys.

 

+1 for Simple Green. I use a 50/50 mix which at least from my experience does not leave spots versus full strength then just rinse off.

 

I only drive mine in the summer, but I find that a regular wipe down really keeps the job to a minimum. At least once a week, I use a damp rag to wipe down everything accessible under the hood. It takes about 15 - 20 minutes.

And don't forget the underside of the hood. It is amazing how much accumulates there, and if you have a dark paint, it can really get dirty and you won't see it.

 

While you're under there, if you haven't already seen them, clean off those two ponies embossed in your hood mat. I never noticed them until a few months ago.