"Detailing" engine?

SHINTON

SHINTON

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2005
Location
Triad area of NC
Ok, figured this was a chit chat as it gets...but the tow rig engine bay is looking a bit sooty! Ok a lot sooty...remember this truck was rolled over and lots of oil running out places, etc.

So...I know the car dealerships "steam clean" their engines...which always looks nice and easier to see what is going on when the engine is clean. Is there someplace (in Greensboro area) that you can get this done for a reasonable amount?

Or....is this a DIY job? If so, suggestions of degreasers that won't kill either the lawn (or damage the ecosystem if it goes down the drain)

Trying to be both clean AND responsible...

Sam
 
Simple Green is supposedly biodegradeable.
 
Just pony up and buy a Karcher steam cleaner, it gets all our chassis nice and grease free before a visist to the chemical dippers or the media blasters. :huggy:
 
Simple Green or Purple Power are both biodegradable. Take it up to the local you spray it. Soak the offensive parts for a couple of minutes then blast it clean. if it isn't clean enough try again. Do this quickly before the engine gets hot enough to cook off the degreaser. You don't want to drive a couple hours and then try to clean it up.
 
I take out the battery, air cleaner then tape a platic bag over the alt and dist. Simple Green is great for everything. Spray the greasy stuff down and let it sit for 5 minutes or so. Then I use my pressure washer lightly. Let it dry. Then I use a can of Armor All Tire foam and spray the stuff everywhere. Let the foam settle down and you'll have to do some wiping in spots. Any mud dried up on your rubber will come off. I've had muddy spots dried on the bottom of my hood that Armor All tire foam took off.

- Depending on your vehicle I might also cover anything else electronic that may cause a problem (computer, fuse box , air intake, ect)

- I don't use a lot of water pressure near the Computer, fuse box, Wiring harnesses, or anything I convered up.

- I do not use the Tire Foam on my serpentine belt.

Not saying this is the best way to do it, but It looks pretty good when I'm done.

If you drive in dusty conditions shortly after using the tire foam the dust will stick to it pretty good.
 
Down&Dirty said:
You don't want to drive a couple hours and then try to clean it up.
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Esp since your fingers will be near it! Hot engine bay = hurts.

btw I second Purple Power. That stuff is great. Carefull, it dulls paint if left on though.
 
I go to the quarter squirt (now $1.50), pop the hood, and let the warm soapy water have at it. Ive never covered anything up and never had any problems.

P.S. This is bad advice, but it has worked great for me for about 5 years now.
 
Yea, Purple power is incredible. I started using the quarter washes because I didn't have a pressure washer. now I have one and I still use the quarter wash for jobs like this. They have grease traps, required to by law. My driveway doesn't. It should with the amount of crap I spill, but it doesn't. Then once you spray it clean you can us a silicon spray to shine it up. I don't use armor all on anything anymore. That stuff ruins anything it touches. Once you use it you have to keep using it. Silicon is what we used when I detailed professionally and I have stuck with it ever since.
 
I don't use armor all on anything anymore. That stuff ruins anything it touches. Once you use it you have to keep using it.
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I've heard the same from others. I've also heard the exact same about silicone. Once you apply it dries rubber/plastic out. I have noticed that on the outside of my tires I have some mild cracking, but on the inside (which has only seen water) no cracking. A buddy of mine "borrowed" some silicone from work and applied it to his dash. It cracked like hell in less than a week. He swore up and down it was the silicone and it needed to be diluted. I'm sure it could have been the car's age (99 Caddy), but he really seems to keep it up well (Always spotless). I've also tried the Advance Auto Parts brand stuff which seems to be silione by the color/texture. Any recommendations on a product?
 
rbo1577186 said:
I've heard the same from others. I've also heard the exact same about silicone. Once you apply it dries rubber/plastic out. I have noticed that on the outside of my tires I have some mild cracking, but on the inside (which has only seen water) no cracking. A buddy of mine "borrowed" some silicone from work and applied it to his dash. It cracked like hell in less than a week. He swore up and down it was the silicone and it needed to be diluted. I'm sure it could have been the car's age (99 Caddy), but he really seems to keep it up well (Always spotless). I've also tried the Advance Auto Parts brand stuff which seems to be silione by the color/texture. Any recommendations on a product?
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From what I understand, it's the silica in the ArmorAll that makes it dry stuff out, so I would pressume that silcone would do the same.

So, as for the original question, where can someone in the triad get their car/engine bay steam cleaned????????????????
 
My father inlaw said the old timers used Brake fluid, on the tires before there was Armor all. Can't imagine the paint looked too good if you put too much on.
 
but i think if you had the time you may be able to accomplish this task. just go in the there with alot of break cleaner or engine degreaser. you could prbably load it up in one of those weed sprayer bottles that they sell at homedepot or lowes.
 
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