C1 & C2 Corvettes General C1 Corvette & C2 Corvette Discussion, Technical Info, Performance Upgrades, Project Builds, Restorations

[C2] engine compartment

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 9, 2017 | 09:19 PM
  #1  
Shift_Happens's Avatar
Shift_Happens
Thread Starter
Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 537
Likes: 105
From: Abington Pa
Default engine compartment

I'm looking to cleanup and paint/detail the engine compartment on my 63 coupe. The body is off the frame so access is no problem. Just trying to figure out how to clean up the firewall and inner fenders before painting. Chemical clean or sandpaper...or something else?
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2017 | 09:29 PM
  #2  
domenic tallarita's Avatar
domenic tallarita
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 322
From: palm springs ca
Default

I used a pressure washer then a wax & grease remover. Only sanded some small parts that I didn't like and primed them and any bare places before I did the black.

Dom
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2017 | 10:07 PM
  #3  
warrenmj's Avatar
warrenmj
Melting Slicks<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/3k-4k.gif" border="0">
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Veteran: Air Force
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,272
Likes: 2,218
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Use the least harsh cleaner that works. I’d start with Dawn dish detergent, water, rags and various sized brushes. If you use a pressure washer, be careful not to use too much pressure.
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2017 | 11:43 PM
  #4  
domenic tallarita's Avatar
domenic tallarita
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 322
From: palm springs ca
Default

Originally Posted by warrenmj
Use the least harsh cleaner that works. I’d start with Dawn dish detergent, water, rags and various sized brushes. If you use a pressure washer, be careful not to use too much pressure.
Good point, I had to back off with my wand when I pressure washed so I wouldn't get into the glass. Also my compartment was a complete re-do and I had holes to fill, and a few deep scratches.

Dom
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2017 | 07:04 AM
  #5  
Frankie the Fink's Avatar
Frankie the Fink
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,145
Army
Default

I used Simple Green and a stiff brush but a light pressure washing sounds like a good idea...
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2017 | 08:57 PM
  #6  
cardo0's Avatar
cardo0
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Default

The firewall is made of fiberglass and the surface is the resin it was made with - maybe call it a "gel coat" but I really don't know. But what happens if you use an abrasive you will cut through the resin coating and expose the fiberglass fibers. Now the factory sprayed some flat black but it didn't cover the firewall and fenders all the way down. IIWM I would only clean it with soap and soft brushes.

I recall a forum member once coated the firewall with POR 15 and less than six months later he tried to sand that stuff off. I recommend you think it over what you use as it more likely is irreversible.

Good luck.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To engine compartment





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:08 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE