Show Prep....engine compartment
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Cumberland Rhode Island
Show Prep....engine compartment
Getting ready for an up comming judged show.I have the ext & int. spotless. What do you use to get the engine compartment spotless? The wiring,frame and firewall are sandy,dusty and just not the way I want them to look.......any idea's
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,159
Likes: 2
From: Stillwater, OK
Originally Posted by fixit055
Getting ready for an up comming judged show.I have the ext & int. spotless. What do you use to get the engine compartment spotless? The wiring,frame and firewall are sandy,dusty and just not the way I want them to look.......any idea's
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07
I use a compressor to blow out all the dust I can, then I wipe down
everything I can reach with a damp cloth. Then I apply the hoses with
303 Aerospace protectant. It gives a nice sheen to them without over
doing it. Takes a little time but well worth it.
everything I can reach with a damp cloth. Then I apply the hoses with
303 Aerospace protectant. It gives a nice sheen to them without over
doing it. Takes a little time but well worth it.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,346
Likes: 5
From: Mustang OK
The Car Care Discussion section of the forum is the best place to go for answers to these type questions. Several very knowledgeable people and a few professional detailers hang out there.
Sticky thread at the top of C5 General: Questions about CAR CARE: wax, window cleaners, etc...
Good luck!
Sticky thread at the top of C5 General: Questions about CAR CARE: wax, window cleaners, etc...
Good luck!
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For my engine compartment, I use an old Absorber and wipe down everything I can get to. If there is a lot of dust, an air compressor works well to blow the stuff off. If there is some grease/oil, I use a rag with Simple Green. To finish the job, I use a product called In and Out Detail Spray - available from Adam's Polishes. Works great on hoses and wiring looms.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 12,071
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From: Hoover Alabama
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
For my engine compartment, I use an old Absorber and wipe down everything I can get to. If there is a lot of dust, an air compressor works well to blow the stuff off. If there is some grease/oil, I use a rag with Simple Green. To finish the job, I use a product called In and Out Detail Spray - available from Adam's Polishes. Works great on hoses and wiring looms.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,683
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
As a disclaimer my car is never driven in the rain so this job for me is a bit easier. I did however win 1st place in the Stock Coupe division of the Beale Street Corvette Show in Memphis in April.
Dependant on how dirty it actually is here is what I do:
Use compressed air or even your shopvac on exhaust to blw away anything you can. This works well for the areas you just can't get to with a rag.
I then use a series of paint brushes to brush away what is left. I put tape around the metal area of the brushes so that they do not scratch or make things worse. This will take some time....be methodical.
I then wipe down with some Quick Detailer the entire compartment. This stuff will remove all the earlier detailer and leave it really clean.
Now for the shine, I spray liberal amounts of Armour All on the engine, hoses and plastic. Then I start the car and let it warm up all these parts. Then shut it off and let it cool. This will leave a simi-gloss shine that appears to be new/stock and will last for a good amount of time.
Try it.
Dependant on how dirty it actually is here is what I do:
Use compressed air or even your shopvac on exhaust to blw away anything you can. This works well for the areas you just can't get to with a rag.
I then use a series of paint brushes to brush away what is left. I put tape around the metal area of the brushes so that they do not scratch or make things worse. This will take some time....be methodical.
I then wipe down with some Quick Detailer the entire compartment. This stuff will remove all the earlier detailer and leave it really clean.
Now for the shine, I spray liberal amounts of Armour All on the engine, hoses and plastic. Then I start the car and let it warm up all these parts. Then shut it off and let it cool. This will leave a simi-gloss shine that appears to be new/stock and will last for a good amount of time.
Try it.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 19,105
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From: Paducah KY
Cruise-In VII Veteran
I always use Simple Green for the initial cleaning of the engine compartment if it is very dirty or greasy.
I spray it on a warm engine and let it sit for a few minutes, then lightly mist it off with a water hose. I'm also always careful around the alternator, usually covering it with plastic or foil.
After the engine compartment is clean, then it's a simple matter, everytime I wash the car, of misting it down with water , using a leaf blower to get all the crevises dry, and wiping down with a quality microfiber towel to keep it looking good...
I spray it on a warm engine and let it sit for a few minutes, then lightly mist it off with a water hose. I'm also always careful around the alternator, usually covering it with plastic or foil.
After the engine compartment is clean, then it's a simple matter, everytime I wash the car, of misting it down with water , using a leaf blower to get all the crevises dry, and wiping down with a quality microfiber towel to keep it looking good...
Last edited by Z06-JIM; May 25, 2006 at 10:54 AM.
