Keeping engine clean
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,083
Likes: 29
From: Murfreesboro TN
I find it easiest to give it a wipe down with a damp towel after I am done washing it. Staying on top of the dirt is a lot easier than trying to catch up to it. If I want to detail it I've found I like the Armour All cleaning wipes and detail wipes. It only takes a couple of minutes and keeps it looking like new. My car has over 18,000 miles and this photo is typical of my engine bay.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,353
Likes: 100
From: And then it was said... "let there be blue Corvettes and yellow Camaros" Ft Worth Texas
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
I use my air compressor to get out the small debris that gathers. Just be sure to use eye protection!
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,898
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From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,083
Likes: 29
From: Murfreesboro TN
I haven’t used an air compressor because I’d think that it would blow the dirt from one corner of the engine bay to the other. Some folks use them, so I guess it works. I have used a shop vac and vacuumed the dirt from the cracks and crevices in the engine bay.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,083
Likes: 29
From: Murfreesboro TN
Not too many auto parts stores carry the Stoners Trim Shine. O'Reiley's is the only auto parts store I've found it at. I've had better luck online. One of the forum vendors carry it also.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Fallbrook CA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 919
Likes: 30
From: ST.PETE BEACH FL.
I use a rechargeable battery powered leaf blower(Task Force 18 volt) to blow the water and dust out from under the hood after a wash as well as the mirrors,wheels,etc.It works great,it's easy to handle, and is just powerful enough to do the job and not blow parts off the car.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,446
Likes: 314
From: Tarpon Springs FL
FL Events Coordinator
Just to answer the OPs question, I have to say I find the engine compartment relatively easy to keep clean. I use a little compressed air to blow away dust and small debris that occasionally builds up on top of the frame rails (or fleat surfaces forward in the engine compartment and I wipe the engine down when I wash the car. It stays looking like new.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Oviedo Florida
Simple Green is my cleaner for the motor & wheels and tires. I never put any kind of shiny stuff on anything but the tires, but that's just me, the auto painter that fears armor all and the like for it's bad properties such as monster fish-eyes!
