When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Since I have decided to keep my Vette stock and save up for a C5. I decided to clean up the old Vette engine bay.
What procedures do you do to clean the engine area?
Soap it up and gently hose it down?
Then detail with what products for best results?
On the aluminium, hoses, rubber parts?
I'm a rookie when it comes to detailing.
Also do you use a cloth or paper towel when detailing?
I am not into removing parts and cleaning it. I usually end up breaking a bolt or something.
I see there is a inch of junk under the plenum I can't pick it out I guess I will fire up the engine and pressure wash it and blast out all the gunk. So just use simple green or armour all on everything and just rub everything down with rags.
You did not state the year of the car. If you have a LT1 engine....do not wash the engine. You will destroy the OPTI and the replacement will cost you BIG DOLLARS.
The L98 is more forgiving, but as mentioned above.....suggested not to power wash.
you did not state the year of the car. If you have a lt1 engine....do not wash the engine. You will destroy the opti and the replacement will cost you big dollars.
The l98 is more forgiving, but as mentioned above.....suggested not to power wash.
You guys that don't use a power washer all worry too much. Fumbling around with rags and cleaners and so on; Ill have ten cars detailed and looking great before your done with one. Each to their own I suppose ....
Last edited by PatternDayTrader; 05-04-2016 at 02:54 PM.
You guys that don't use a power washer all worry too much. Fumbling around with rags and cleaners and so on; Ill have ten cars detailed and looking great before your done with one. Each to their own I suppose ....
if u do it all the time, the method must be valid. can u tell me if there are areas to avoid? how close do u get with the wand?
do you take care not to spray high pressure water on any parts like vac lines?
if u do it all the time, the method must be valid. can u tell me if there are areas to avoid? how close do u get with the wand?
do you take care not to spray high pressure water on any parts like vac lines?
Well first I only do this from time to time .... like maybe once a year.
I also go to the local coin op car wash. So I couldnt speak to anything besides that.
Just keep the wand moving at all times. Keep it about 2 feet away from what your spraying maybe a little more. Don't spray any electrical components directly. They will get wet but that's no big deal, just don't spray them directly, they won't be dirty anyway. Use a sweeping motion with the wand, front to back side to side and leave the engine running the entire time.
Then go crazy with the armor all. Cover everything. Plastic, metal, rubber all of it.
Well first I only do this from time to time .... like maybe once a year.
I also go to the local coin op car wash. So I couldnt speak to anything besides that.
Just keep the wand moving at all times. Keep it about 2 feet away from what your spraying maybe a little more. Don't spray any electrical components directly. They will get wet but that's no big deal, just don't spray them directly, they won't be dirty anyway. Use a sweeping motion with the wand, front to back side to side and leave the engine running the entire time.
Then go crazy with the armor all. Cover everything. Plastic, metal, rubber all of it.
We have different ideas on clean. That stuff is gross. Greasy and dirt attracting.
Armor All is disgusting. Leaves a greasy film that collects dust & grime. There's some excellent detailing products out there. The correct way IMO takes a little more effort than waving a car wash wand. Don't power wash.
Well whatever, don't use armor all, or do use it. You cant deny that it looks great, and if you do, then its because you never have tried it. Personally I don't make a mountain out of a mole hill and armor all is already part of my car wash supplies so that's what I use.
I couldn't help but notice that neither of you two suggested an alternative, instead you just said not use use it, or its gross, or whatever other flamwollery you thought might sound good. So how bout producing a suggestion that you have actual firsthand knowledge is a GOOD suggestion. I prefer Armor all, and you two prefer what ???
I mean really what are we talking about ??? I'm talking about an engine compartment, not a cooking surface, or something I'm expecting paint to stick to. Armor all makes it look great, that's a fact, its irrefutable.
Last edited by PatternDayTrader; 05-04-2016 at 08:44 PM.
I was just about to go stock up on armour all and then all hell broke loose.
Is there any other suggestions on different products? I went to the store to buy car cleaning products and go distracted with the ammo on sale 7.62x54 Russian ammo was on sale by the crate so I stocked up and forgot to buy engine cleaner.
Well whatever, don't use armor all, or do use it. You cant deny that it looks great, and if you do, then its because you never have tried it. Personally I don't make a mountain out of a mole hill and armor all is already part of my car wash supplies so that's what I use.
I couldn't help but notice that neither of you two suggested an alternative, instead you just said not use use it, or its gross, or whatever other flamwollery you thought might sound good. So how bout producing a suggestion that you have actual firsthand knowledge is a GOOD suggestion. I prefer Armor all, and you two prefer what ???
I mean really what are we talking about ??? I'm talking about an engine compartment, not a cooking surface, or something I'm expecting paint to stick to. Armor all makes it look great, that's a fact, its irrefutable.
Don't mean to put any products down. Use what makes you happy I've won numerous trophies with my C5. I'm working on the C4 now and will have it complete by the end of the summer. Here's a couple of products I use. I have no affiliation with the companies who sell these products. You be the judge how you want your engine compartment to look after finished.
Don't mean to put any products down. Use what makes you happy I've won numerous trophies with my C5. I'm working on the C4 now and will have it complete by the end of the summer. Here's a couple of products I use. I have no affiliation with the companies who sell these products. You be the judge how you want your engine compartment to look after finished.
That trim shine says spray and walk away? Is that true or do you wipe it down?
What do you use on the metal parts like the aluminium?
I also use Stoner product. I wipe it down after spraying in on. It leaves a nice dry shine. Easy to clean up week after week by just doing a wipe down and air spray off before heading out to any car event.
05-04-2016, 12:56 PM
How to detail a TPI engine
Armor All is disgusting. Leaves a greasy film that collects dust & grime. There's some excellent detailing products out there. The correct way IMO takes a little more effort than waving a car wash wand. Don't power wash.
I've won numerous trophies with my C5. I'm working on the C4 now and will have it complete by the end of the summer. Here's a couple of products I use. I have no affiliation with the companies who sell these products. You be the judge how you want your engine compartment to look after finished. 
