How do you clean your engine? What product do I need to buy?

My engine is very dusty and needs to be cleaned. I've never cleaned an engine so I don't want to end up messing something up

 

Usually I just cover my air filter because I have a CAI but if you have stock then you don't have to worry as much.


Other then that I use Chemical Guys All Clean which is a degreaser and I spray everywhere. The cables and such you see are all marine grade and can take water. I let the degreaser sit for a few min before spraying off with water.
Then I turn the engine on for a few min to help with drying and then once off, I use a cloth to soak up the remaining water.
After that I use a water based shine like Chemical Guys silk shine for a nice non glossy shine. Compliments all the time.


They have a video on youtube as well on how to clean your engine by Chemical Guys.

 

A small hand held steam cleaner works great.

 

Learn from one of the best in the business.




And Killaz is right, Chemical Guys has some great products and they have their own youtube channel. Also I believe they are based in the LA area making them easy for you to go directly to their retail location.

 

I use a blue n orange can (forget the bame) from oreileys. Its a nice foaming degreaser that i spray pretty liberally (i.e. Whole can in one cleaning). I spray about half the can, follow with a nice brush to get the grit and stuff everywhere it can reach, then spray the rest of the can. Then i use a very low pressure spray to rinse down the engine bay. Once i see that all the cleaner is gone i follow with a leaf blower to get most the stuff, turn the motor on and wipe with a few terry cloths. I dont use any topper to make it shine or sheen but theres no harm if you do. I try do this at least once a month to avoid any buildup

 

Be cautious with some degrease chemicals. Used a off brand from Wal-Mart years ago and it ate all the paint off the under hood stickers on my 68 Impala. I was not happy... Our cars do not have much for under hood labels but better safe than sorry!

 

While true about off brand degreasers automotive paint has come a long way since '68. However there are still products out there that will still eat paint, stain paint/underhood stuff and do all sorts of damage that can lead to corrosion of wire clusters, plugs, and just about everything else.

 

Leaf blower, Mrs. Meyers organic 50/50 mix, paint brush agitate, light fan spray, leaf blower, wipe with a cotton towel I use just for this, spray detailer, done.

 

Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaner, fine mist from a garden hose and a leaf blower. Get the water spots with a damp rag and then wax all the non engine covers and underhood painted surfaces with Turtle Wax Ice.

 

"Simple Green" is a very good cleaner degreaser that can be bought in bulk form at Sams Club, Home Depot, and others, and you thin it with water depending on the application.

For automotive use, I don't add as much water - (I don't measure...), and it works really well on most anything.

 

I love watching those Drive Clean videos. I get tired just watching him.

 

LOL. Yea Larry is beyond meticulous but that is why he gets paid to detail and appraise high end supercars.