Car Engine Detailing Tips
What is worse? Riding in a car that is beat up on the outside but beautiful on the inside, or riding in a car that is immaculate on the outside, yet it's beat up on the inside. The answer is the second choice: riding in a car that is immaculate on the outside, yet it is beat up on the inside. A clean engine helps maintain a car's longevity.
- Clear away all excess debris from the hood, grill and vent openings. If you have compressed air, this will make it easier for cleaning. If you don't have compressed air, hand brushing will be sufficient.
- Prepare the engine for getting wet. Make sure all of the following is covered: sensors, the distributors, spark plugs and all electrical devices that can be subject to water accumulation, by which causing a potential short. Use plastic baggies and rubber bands to hold the baggies in place as coverings.
- Loosen grease accumulated on engine and in the engine compartment. Start the engine, and allow it to warm up for a few minutes. Hold your hand onto the engine -- if you can keep it there without it being too hot to the touch, this is the perfect temperature for detailing.
- Apply degreaser. Start from the lower areas and work your way up. This helps avoid liquid splashing on you, especially when cleaning underside areas. Be sure to rinse the excess cleaner with water off of exterior surfaces like the hood, grille and fenders.
- Allow the degreaser to set for three to five minutes. Be sure it doesn't become dry on the surface. For mild levels of grease accumulations, no brush is needed for cleaning. If there is a heavy source of grease, a long-handled brush should be used. The brush helps break up the grease before hosing it down for the rinse.
- Hose down the engine. Hose down all areas that were treated with the degreaser. Avoid covered electrical connectors. Using a fire hose nozzle is highly recommended for better control and a more even flow of water.
- Towel dry the engine. Take off baggies. Forced air or an air compressor is also highly recommended way to get a water spot-free look.
- Spray engine protectant. Apply this to the engine, as well as rubber hoses, wires and plastic parts with either engine protectant or rubber and vinyl protectant. Buff for shine.