Under engine cleaning
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 694
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From: Montgomery AL
Under engine cleaning
Who would you guys recommend for cleaning the engine bay; detailer, dealership, body shop? I want to watch and learn so that I will be able to do it myself in the future. But I have no experience doing it, and even though people say its easy and you just spray the stuff then spray down the car, I don't want to take the chance of screwing something up.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
I would find a detailer who has experience in Vettes. But it amazes me how many "detailers" will do thing incorrectly on the engine bay (using high pressure washers, cleaning a hot engine, etc).
One of our sponsors on here, Adam's, has a series of videos on detailing and they filmed it using the vette.
They have a segment on engine detailing, check it out here:
Engine Bay Cleaning
Edit: Adam's is now the officially licensed car care product for corvette and camaro
One of our sponsors on here, Adam's, has a series of videos on detailing and they filmed it using the vette.
They have a segment on engine detailing, check it out here:
Engine Bay Cleaning
Edit: Adam's is now the officially licensed car care product for corvette and camaro
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,602
Likes: 974
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
I would find a detailer who has experience in Vettes. But it amazes me how many "detailers" will do thing incorrectly on the engine bay (using high pressure washers, cleaning a hot engine, etc).
One of our sponsors on here, Adam's, has a series of videos on detailing and they filmed it using the vette.
They have a segment on engine detailing, check it out here:
Engine Bay Cleaning
Edit: Adam's is now the officially licensed car care product for corvette and camaro
One of our sponsors on here, Adam's, has a series of videos on detailing and they filmed it using the vette.
They have a segment on engine detailing, check it out here:
Engine Bay Cleaning
Edit: Adam's is now the officially licensed car care product for corvette and camaro
Adams does it with a standard garden hose and a nozzle. He recommends (at least on an older video) to have the engine running and move the water stream away from the point you are at if the engine stumbles.To answer your question, I would talk with a good detailer as already mentioned that does Corvette's. Ask if he does it with high pressure or just a hose.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Naples FL
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Not sure how bad your is but once you keep up at it, it should look like this.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,522
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From: Windermere FL
I would find a detailer who has experience in Vettes. But it amazes me how many "detailers" will do thing incorrectly on the engine bay (using high pressure washers, cleaning a hot engine, etc).
One of our sponsors on here, Adam's, has a series of videos on detailing and they filmed it using the vette.
They have a segment on engine detailing, check it out here:
Engine Bay Cleaning
Edit: Adam's is now the officially licensed car care product for corvette and camaro
One of our sponsors on here, Adam's, has a series of videos on detailing and they filmed it using the vette.
They have a segment on engine detailing, check it out here:
Engine Bay Cleaning
Edit: Adam's is now the officially licensed car care product for corvette and camaro
Now if I only had a lift so I can get to the underside!
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
That's pretty much how I have done it, but I like the idea of the two different brushes. The idea is to use a gentle shower, no fire hose, with the engine totally cold. I cover the alternator with a bag, which he did not.
Now if I only had a lift so I can get to the underside!
Now if I only had a lift so I can get to the underside!
The two separate brushes are great. The use of wheel woolies for tight spots can be very helpful too!
I have not covered the alternator - but then I don't directly flood the alternator. But I also understand the reasoning and philosophy behind the "better safe than sorry" approach of covering the alternator too.
I agree that a lift would be nice. Was just checking tire wear the other night and was noticing the undercarriage could use some love.
Once you have the engine cleaned it doesn't take too much work to keep it looking good
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 694
Likes: 0
From: Montgomery AL
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 694
Likes: 0
From: Montgomery AL
Mine isn't all that bad, but this is how I want it to be! I have received a contact (from a car audio store). I saw the guy's ZR1, just back from Ligenfelter. He is a painter and owns a collision shop. I will see who he recommends, maybe he has a guy to do it. With a serious investment like his, I bet he doesn't take chances. Maybe he has heat resistant paint and could paint my fuel rails, fuse cover, etc instead I buying and installing new parts! Nice I have it super clean, every 3-5 days I will do some upkeep so it stays spotless.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 694
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From: Montgomery AL
I do use a fire hose nozzle, BUT I use a shutoff valve just prior to the nozzle so that I can turn the water flow way down to just be a gentle/soft shower effect as seen in the video - NO water blast.
The two separate brushes are great. The use of wheel woolies for tight spots can be very helpful too!
I have not covered the alternator - but then I don't directly flood the alternator. But I also understand the reasoning and philosophy behind the "better safe than sorry" approach of covering the alternator too.
I agree that a lift would be nice. Was just checking tire wear the other night and was noticing the undercarriage could use some love.
Once you have the engine cleaned it doesn't take too much work to keep it looking good
The two separate brushes are great. The use of wheel woolies for tight spots can be very helpful too!
I have not covered the alternator - but then I don't directly flood the alternator. But I also understand the reasoning and philosophy behind the "better safe than sorry" approach of covering the alternator too.
I agree that a lift would be nice. Was just checking tire wear the other night and was noticing the undercarriage could use some love.
Once you have the engine cleaned it doesn't take too much work to keep it looking good
I want it to look like this! What is the spray can product, can't see it on my phone?
Pro
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From: Beverly Hills Michigan
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
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From: San Francisco CA
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,662
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From: Plano TX
The method I use for cleaning engine bays has worked well for many cars I've owned:
1. Towel off around the engine bay to prevent overspray.
2. Wrap electronics in saran wrap.
3. Mix 50/50 Water and Simple Green in a spray bottle.
4. Spray down the engine bay and let it sit for a bit to break up the grime.
5. Use a pipe-cleaner style brush to get into the hard to reach places. Majority of the time, I do not have to brush down anything else cause the dilluted simple green mix does a great job on its own.
6. Afterwards, use a garden hose with a soft spray to rinse off the cleaner. Repeat previous steps if not completely clean. Can also use a brush if needed. Tooth brushes work good too.
7. Once it is all rinsed off. I let it dry in the sun.
8. After it is dry, I spray some WD40 on some blue shop towels and wipe over rubber hoses other plastics. Can use engine dressup as well. I don't directly spray that stuff on there though.
1. Towel off around the engine bay to prevent overspray.
2. Wrap electronics in saran wrap.
3. Mix 50/50 Water and Simple Green in a spray bottle.
4. Spray down the engine bay and let it sit for a bit to break up the grime.
5. Use a pipe-cleaner style brush to get into the hard to reach places. Majority of the time, I do not have to brush down anything else cause the dilluted simple green mix does a great job on its own.
6. Afterwards, use a garden hose with a soft spray to rinse off the cleaner. Repeat previous steps if not completely clean. Can also use a brush if needed. Tooth brushes work good too.
7. Once it is all rinsed off. I let it dry in the sun.
8. After it is dry, I spray some WD40 on some blue shop towels and wipe over rubber hoses other plastics. Can use engine dressup as well. I don't directly spray that stuff on there though.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
To clean the engine like you see it I used Adam's All Purpose Cleaner with the Boars Hair Brush and Lug Nut brushes for the smaller areas
To dress the engine area I used two different products:
1) Super VRT (Vinyl Rubber & Tire) - Otherwise known as SVRT.
Super VRT
This is a thick liquid used on an applicator. It resists water and has an SPF characteristics also. In the engine area I will use it on any large plastic or rubber surfaces. It is also great on any of the other exterior plastics on the car and the tires too. A tiny bit on plastic goes a long way. On tires, it does not fling off.
2) In & Out Spray
In & Out Spray
This is sprayed on areas that are too difficult to apply SVRT, little hoses, electrical connectors and even on areas like the front grill or the cowling. Makes the plastic look like new.
Remember that Adam's is now a CF sponsor. They also have a discount code for us to use too!