Engine detailing?

[RavensEyeOffroad]

Took a ride at an offroad park a while back was dusty as heck. I'm not looking for some showroom quality clean just make it look decent. What's the best way to go about it? Tire foam and a hand towel?

Sponsored

 

[tbaker]

I rinse mine off and when it’s dry I spray on chemical guy’s black to black and it looks new again great stuff

 

[Mac]

Just washed mine a couple weeks ago, used some Gunk spray on the greasy oily areas and a soft brush then rinsed off with the hose with a soft spray and wiped everything down with 303. Looks pretty good for over a year old with 20k miles and going through a New England winter. I spray the exposed fasteners with fluid film to prevent rust and corrosion.

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

Just washed mine a couple weeks ago, used some Gunk spray on the greasy oily areas and a soft brush then rinsed off with the hose with a soft spray and wiped everything down with 303. Looks pretty good for over a year old with 20k miles and going through a New England winter. I spray the exposed fasteners with fluid film to prevent rust and corrosion.

Perfect!

 

[AjMac]

Do you take any special precautions when cleaning around the alternator?

I read one story...that's it, just one story, of a guy ruining his alternator, and I need to clean my engine after some trail riding lol

 

[Chris262]

Do you take any special precautions when cleaning around the alternator?

I read one story...that's it, just one story, of a guy ruining his alternator, and I need to clean my engine after some trail riding lol

You can cover the alternator with a plastic bag if you want

 

[Mac]

Do you take any special precautions when cleaning around the alternator?

I read one story...that's it, just one story, of a guy ruining his alternator, and I need to clean my engine after some trail riding lol

I didn’t do anything special, I just didn’t spray a ton of water on the alternator, I had read about someone having issues with an alternator when it got wet but might have been more to the story.

 

[Zissou]

When I was a teenager working at a dealership washing cars we used to spray the pressure washer under the hood and were instructed to do so while the engine was running.

While I would not really recommend doing that, we never destroyed anything leading me to believe modern cars are pretty hardy.

What I personally do is use wet rags and wipe things down. Then dry it with another rag. I try to avoid any harsh cleaners. If you stay on top of it usually the wet rag will handle it.

Shortly after getting my car I had my cousin's shop PPF and Ceramic Coat it. His guys detailed under the hood and ceramic coated all the big plastic shields and stuff. Not that the M2 sees a lot of dirt or anything, but it does always look spotless under there. I might do the same for the Gladiator when I finally get it. The ceramic really makes cleaning it a breeze.

 

[Haywood Jablome]

My 2 Cents and in my opinion worth a look. This guy Phil knows what hes doing. Worked with this methods and products try them out and see what you think.

 

[darkhorse13]

Purple Power + Power Sprayer (insert caution) + Adam's Back to Black spray if you want really wet look... otherwise Adams VRT for dry shine

 

[Mac]

Looks good, what is all that extra electrical? Looks vulnerable to salt spray if you are an area where they use it.

 

[glassjawkid32]

I'd assume most engines are probably sealed from water pretty well. My engine bay took on way more water than I'd like earlier this year in AZ. Definitely shouldn't have drove through the "puddle" I went through, but there have been zero electrical ramifications. I don't think a spray bottle and scrub would pose much risk, but I'm no mechanic.

 

[punk'n]

Wow, after seeing such a clean engine, I guess I better get after mine (J/K).

 

[SF_E60]

Wow, after seeing such a clean engine, I guess I better get after mine (J/K).

I'm in the same boat you are I know what I'm doing this weekend.

 

[punk'n]

I'm in the same boat you are I know what I'm doing this weekend.

Mine was flood totaled (with only 5K miles) while on the dealer's lot waiting for warranty service.

Sponsored