Engine cleaning - help needed
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Thorndale Ontario
Engine cleaning - help needed
I know I have read some info here regarding how to safely clean our motors, but couldn't find it.
Just got my car a couple of weeks ago, the motor looks nice, but a couple of minor stains on the plenum, etc. and I would like to polish her up nice. If I remember correctly one of the guy's mentioned using really fine steel wool to clean the paint and then he applied some kind of a metal polish to finish it off.
Any suggestions including what products to use would be greatly appreciated!
Ron
Just got my car a couple of weeks ago, the motor looks nice, but a couple of minor stains on the plenum, etc. and I would like to polish her up nice. If I remember correctly one of the guy's mentioned using really fine steel wool to clean the paint and then he applied some kind of a metal polish to finish it off.
Any suggestions including what products to use would be greatly appreciated!
Ron
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,609
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
I just did the Mother's mag polish with 0000 steelwool that another forum member recommended. It took all of the stains off and really cleaned the engine up. Even brighten it up a little. Plan on taking some time to do the engine completely (2-3 hours).
After the polish I very lightly wet the engine and the engine bay down with water followed by an entire bottle of Armor All ( still on a cold engine). Make the entire area look milky white. Close the hood and then drive the car for 15 minutes. The heat of the engine will cause the water to dry off and leaves the Armor All to coat the engine and the entire bay with a nice glossy shine. I've been doing this for years on all of my cars and have had no bad affects.
If the engine bay is dirty, start with Simple Green. Let this soak for about five minutes, then wash off with water (again very lightly) and then repeat (Simple Green/water) followed by the Armor All coat down.
It works.
DMark
After the polish I very lightly wet the engine and the engine bay down with water followed by an entire bottle of Armor All ( still on a cold engine). Make the entire area look milky white. Close the hood and then drive the car for 15 minutes. The heat of the engine will cause the water to dry off and leaves the Armor All to coat the engine and the entire bay with a nice glossy shine. I've been doing this for years on all of my cars and have had no bad affects.
If the engine bay is dirty, start with Simple Green. Let this soak for about five minutes, then wash off with water (again very lightly) and then repeat (Simple Green/water) followed by the Armor All coat down.
It works.
DMark
Last edited by DMark; May 15, 2005 at 12:55 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,948
Likes: 2
From: Southern England
I started to clean the engine and went too far 
,at the moment ime in the middle of stripping all the old conduit tubing around the loom and replacing it with heat shield conduit...then the polish!
,at the moment ime in the middle of stripping all the old conduit tubing around the loom and replacing it with heat shield conduit...then the polish!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,609
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
[QUOTE=LoTu5]I started to clean the engine and went too far ,at the moment ime in the middle of stripping all the old conduit tubing around the loom and replacing it with heat shield conduit...then the polish!
Good Lord Cliff..., I said 0000 SteelWool - NOT a 1000 Steel Tools
DMark
,at the moment ime in the middle of stripping all the old conduit tubing around the loom and replacing it with heat shield conduit...then the polish!Good Lord Cliff..., I said 0000 SteelWool - NOT a 1000 Steel Tools
DMark
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Thorndale Ontario
Originally Posted by LoTu5
I started to clean the engine and went too far ,at the moment ime in the middle of stripping all the old conduit tubing around the loom and replacing it with heat shield conduit...then the polish!
,at the moment ime in the middle of stripping all the old conduit tubing around the loom and replacing it with heat shield conduit...then the polish!I'm hoping that the steel wool that we have over here is a little less drastic!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
Use a good "quick detailer" a brush and old rags, spend time to get into all the nooks and crannies when you done wipe down you entire compartment with the detailer. You will be impressed with the results and your engine will look great.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,948
Likes: 2
From: Southern England
Yea i guess i did get a little enthusiastic with steel wool and tools
,what i would try first for any staining is some of the products used in kitchen and bathroom cleaning,ive found some of these really good in the past,be careful to dab a bit at first as some of the cleaners can be a bit aggressive,good luck
,what i would try first for any staining is some of the products used in kitchen and bathroom cleaning,ive found some of these really good in the past,be careful to dab a bit at first as some of the cleaners can be a bit aggressive,good luck