Engine compartment cleaning
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Westminster
Engine compartment cleaning
Taking engine out. Thinking about sand blasting inside. Our any ideas for me want to get that new look? Also on the paints what type for the wheel wheels firewall and frame? Almost forgot headers?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
If you want a new ORIGINAL look, then spend a few bucks on the NCRS judging manual for your car - it will have descriptions of what the various surfaces were like when new.
I would start with the LEAST agressive clean-up i.e. soap and water, if the car has original stickers/markings.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 383
Likes: 4
From: Charlotte NC
Two words - Simple Green. Ok, actually four - pressure washer. Soak everything with simple green and pressure wash. Make sure to cover as much of your car as much you can so as to not get the grime all over your paint. Then steel wool or chemically strip (w/Aircraft Remover) any rough spots.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 680
Likes: 3
From: charlotte N.C
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 83
From: Titusville Florida
I just pressured washed mine today, got all the crude and grime off no problem, I used a 3000 PSI pressure washer. I did spray it with engine degrease last night and let it set to today
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,268
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi mk,
You asked about paint.... originally the firewall and fender aprons were painted semi-flat black.
Remember, the majority of parts mounted to the firewall and aprons weren't there when the compartment was painted, so they aren't black.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
You asked about paint.... originally the firewall and fender aprons were painted semi-flat black.
Remember, the majority of parts mounted to the firewall and aprons weren't there when the compartment was painted, so they aren't black.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 83
From: Titusville Florida
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Titusville Florida
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
You will want high temperature paint for headers: VHT or similar.
For the firewall, skirts, radiator support, underside of hood, etc, high temperatrue paint is not needed. A good quality rattle can semi-flat black will work.
You will spend more time cleaning and degreasing than you will with actual paint apploication.
Remember: Cleanliness is next to Goodieness.
For the firewall, skirts, radiator support, underside of hood, etc, high temperatrue paint is not needed. A good quality rattle can semi-flat black will work.
You will spend more time cleaning and degreasing than you will with actual paint apploication.
Remember: Cleanliness is next to Goodieness.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Sep 24, 2012 at 01:52 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,268
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi mk,
What you do with the bolts depends on what you want the compartment to look like.
You can use a wire brush to clean them and then re-plate them, or paint them, or spray them with clear to stop them from rusting, or buy new plated bolts. The same decisions need to be made for washers, nuts, screws, etc.
This gets pretty involved and is why some people just paint EVERYTHING black.
Regards,
Alan
What you do with the bolts depends on what you want the compartment to look like.
You can use a wire brush to clean them and then re-plate them, or paint them, or spray them with clear to stop them from rusting, or buy new plated bolts. The same decisions need to be made for washers, nuts, screws, etc.
This gets pretty involved and is why some people just paint EVERYTHING black.
Regards,
Alan