Clean Engine Bay
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,041
Likes: 4
From: Rockford Illinois
I drive my car to the self serve pressure car wash.
I pop the hood, spray the motor down with soap and rest the hood on the latch. This lest all the dirt/grim soak and bake off. I wash the rest of the car etc. After that I lift the hood, and rinse. Drive the car home lift the hood, and everything is spotless, wipe down what little water is left.
I pop the hood, spray the motor down with soap and rest the hood on the latch. This lest all the dirt/grim soak and bake off. I wash the rest of the car etc. After that I lift the hood, and rinse. Drive the car home lift the hood, and everything is spotless, wipe down what little water is left.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 19,105
Likes: 2
From: Paducah KY
Cruise-In VII Veteran
I did the same thing to get the initial grease/grime off.After that, I simply just lightly mist the engine bay with garden hose each time I wash the car then use the blower and follow up with a towel.
I also always cover the alternator and fuse block area with foil or plastic before misting or using any water.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville AR
Search this question - its been asked before and several members said that simple green will run the finish on aluminum parts. I wipe mine down when once a week with an old cotton sock - sometimes dry and sometime wet (the sock stays on your hand so you dont have to hold it plus protect your hand form cuts and scraps) and after I wash the outside I wipe under the hood and then use Son of a Gun tire foam on everything then wipe up the excess. It turns out great and has a high gloss finish. Makes all hoses and belts look like new. The Son of a Gun will make dust stick to it so it may not be great for DD (quick and easy for car shows). Some use a hood seal to help keep dust out as well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 450
From: Texarkana Texas
As some have said, simple green CAN harm certain metals if not used correctly. It must be diluted. I sprayed it on my Silverado wheels and the clear coat came off when I rinsed it off 2 minutes later. I take mine to the car wash and use the pressure washer, just being careful where I point the water spray. Don't spray directly on a hot motor until you cool it off a little at a time. Wipe with Armoral to get that shine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,594
Likes: 959
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
plus I have the engine running while I hose it down. Simple move the hose if the enginee sputters.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 104
From: Des Moines Iowa
Search this question - its been asked before and several members said that simple green will run the finish on aluminum parts. I wipe mine down when once a week with an old cotton sock - sometimes dry and sometime wet (the sock stays on your hand so you dont have to hold it plus protect your hand form cuts and scraps) and after I wash the outside I wipe under the hood and then use Son of a Gun tire foam on everything then wipe up the excess. It turns out great and has a high gloss finish. Makes all hoses and belts look like new. The Son of a Gun will make dust stick to it so it may not be great for DD (quick and easy for car shows). Some use a hood seal to help keep dust out as well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,791
Likes: 44
From: Loudon/Lake Mary Tennessee/Florida
