Car cleaning tips - Page 2

LSixer · Mar 18, 2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.A.R.

If you don't have access to a steam cleaner then any domestic carpet cleaner can work well too, the ones which vac-off are also friendly to alcantara

+1

Im cheap. Whatever works with my non-concours bimmer is good for me.

Speeddemon350 · Mar 31, 2009, 7:55 PM

So, slight bump, but as we all may know, "car season" is coming up. The weather is getting warm (at least where I am), and more and more events are being scheduled. I need to get my act straight with my car lol. So can anyone give a step by step (preferably) how-to for cleaning the engine bay? I know you can't just hose it down, as it could short out the alternator and other connections. I know brake cleaner helps get rid of oil spots, but I can't seem to get the grime completely off of the transmission. I even removed my intake to try to get to it. So does anyone know how to properly clean your engine?

LSixer · Apr 01, 2009, 1:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speeddemon350

So, slight bump, but as we all may know, "car season" is coming up. The weather is getting warm (at least where I am), and more and more events are being scheduled. I need to get my act straight with my car lol. So can anyone give a step by step (preferably) how-to for cleaning the engine bay? I know you can't just hose it down, as it could short out the alternator and other connections. I know brake cleaner helps get rid of oil spots, but I can't seem to get the grime completely off of the transmission. I even removed my intake to try to get to it. So does anyone know how to properly clean your engine?

Buy some cheap plastic wrap from your favorite grocery store. Cover anything with wires attached to it (over simplistic, but you get the idea). Then buy yerself some simple green and a couple of toothbrushes.

Get busy.

The simple green will get rid of most of the crap, and use the brushes to get into the fine places to scrub.

Cleaning an engine is not easy and it will NEVER look like new. But with elbow grease, you can make one hell of a difference.

Speeddemon350 · Apr 01, 2009, 6:56 AM

^oh lol thanks. Doesn't seem to hard. What about the vacuum lines? Is it okay to get a little water near them? And Im assuming to do this when the engine is cool, to avoid cracking the headers. Thanks for the advice!

C.A.R. · Apr 01, 2009, 7:42 AM

Vacuum pipes are completely sealed - otherwise they'd be pretty useless, no?!

If you plastic wrap everything under the bonnet which is electrical then there is no reason why you can't hose it down with a pressure washer or a steam cleaner. Be sure not to use a bleach type cleaner with steam however, it will tarnish the metal surface which it touches.

Black parts can be buffed up with tyre shine and bumper restorer. Painted parts can be treated with bodywork polish and metal parts might benefit from an alloy wheel cleaner.

Simple really!

Speeddemon350 · Apr 01, 2009, 12:41 PM

^oh good point, yea I'm just worried I would mess something up lol. So just as a fail safe, if say I forget to wrap an electric connection, would just letting it sit out and dry be okay?

LSixer · Apr 01, 2009, 2:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speeddemon350

^oh good point, yea I'm just worried I would mess something up lol. So just as a fail safe, if say I forget to wrap an electric connection, would just letting it sit out and dry be okay?

In most circumstances yes. By disconnecting the battery (one terminal is sufficient) you are terminating the power loop. If something else gets wet, leave the battery dis-connected while as you say the wire(s) dry.

n wright 275 · Apr 01, 2009, 5:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speeddemon350

So, slight bump, but as we all may know, "car season" is coming up. The weather is getting warm (at least where I am), and more and more events are being scheduled. I need to get my act straight with my car lol. So can anyone give a step by step (preferably) how-to for cleaning the engine bay? I know you can't just hose it down, as it could short out the alternator and other connections. I know brake cleaner helps get rid of oil spots, but I can't seem to get the grime completely off of the transmission. I even removed my intake to try to get to it. So does anyone know how to properly clean your engine?

http://sportscarforums.com/f13/engin...ing-24622.html

Dead thread, but might be helpful.

http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...detailing.html

^Good detailed step by step to cleaning, w/ pictures.

Speeddemon350 · Apr 01, 2009, 8:18 PM

Oh right on. Thanks for the help guys! I might attempt to do it myself, and if I'm not satisfied, I'll take it for steam cleaning somewhere.

Ferrari308 · Apr 06, 2009, 9:18 AM

Do any of you guys know of any good products for taking out scratches from paintwork?? I have a few scratches that I want to get rid of, and would LOOOOOVE a product to get rid of them..

Also, what are your favourite tyre/wheel polishes? Body waxes??

I'd like an idea of what other people are using, so that when I do get around to doing some cleaning of the Swede this weekend, I have the right stuff.

n wright 275 · Apr 06, 2009, 2:54 PM

If you want to get out minor scatches like the ones that build up under door handels, i use nu-finish scratch remover

For tire shine i use armor all tire gel, i don't like the sprays/foams

I also use Nu-Finish polish, that stuff is great, you can apply it in the sun

C.A.R. · Apr 07, 2009, 4:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferrari308

Do any of you guys know of any good products for taking out scratches from paintwork?? I have a few scratches that I want to get rid of, and would LOOOOOVE a product to get rid of them..

Also, what are your favourite tyre/wheel polishes? Body waxes??

I'd like an idea of what other people are using, so that when I do get around to doing some cleaning of the Swede this weekend, I have the right stuff.

Meguiars Scratch-X, sounds like the ideal product for you, finish it with some protective wax for a good finish.

Mar 31, 2009, 7:55 PM	#17
Speeddemon350 ..::(VQ Power)::.. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Nation's Capital (USA) Posts: 1,138	So, slight bump, but as we all may know, "car season" is coming up. The weather is getting warm (at least where I am), and more and more events are being scheduled. I need to get my act straight with my car lol. So can anyone give a step by step (preferably) how-to for cleaning the engine bay? I know you can't just hose it down, as it could short out the alternator and other connections. I know brake cleaner helps get rid of oil spots, but I can't seem to get the grime completely off of the transmission. I even removed my intake to try to get to it. So does anyone know how to properly clean your engine? __________________ In order for one to truly be free, they must not have anything to lose.

Apr 01, 2009, 6:56 AM	#19
Speeddemon350 ..::(VQ Power)::.. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Nation's Capital (USA) Posts: 1,138	^oh lol thanks. Doesn't seem to hard. What about the vacuum lines? Is it okay to get a little water near them? And Im assuming to do this when the engine is cool, to avoid cracking the headers. Thanks for the advice! __________________ In order for one to truly be free, they must not have anything to lose.

Apr 01, 2009, 7:42 AM	#20
C.A.R. Forum Guru Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hertfordshire, UK Posts: 2,920	Vacuum pipes are completely sealed - otherwise they'd be pretty useless, no?! If you plastic wrap everything under the bonnet which is electrical then there is no reason why you can't hose it down with a pressure washer or a steam cleaner. Be sure not to use a bleach type cleaner with steam however, it will tarnish the metal surface which it touches. Black parts can be buffed up with tyre shine and bumper restorer. Painted parts can be treated with bodywork polish and metal parts might benefit from an alloy wheel cleaner. Simple really! __________________ Heretic; sorry....I am just not as smart as you.....

Apr 01, 2009, 12:41 PM	#21
Speeddemon350 ..::(VQ Power)::.. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Nation's Capital (USA) Posts: 1,138	^oh good point, yea I'm just worried I would mess something up lol. So just as a fail safe, if say I forget to wrap an electric connection, would just letting it sit out and dry be okay? __________________ In order for one to truly be free, they must not have anything to lose.

Apr 01, 2009, 8:18 PM	#24
Speeddemon350 ..::(VQ Power)::.. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Nation's Capital (USA) Posts: 1,138	Oh right on. Thanks for the help guys! I might attempt to do it myself, and if I'm not satisfied, I'll take it for steam cleaning somewhere. __________________ In order for one to truly be free, they must not have anything to lose.

Apr 06, 2009, 9:18 AM	#25
Ferrari308 Needs an 850R in his life Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: hmm........... Posts: 2,124	Do any of you guys know of any good products for taking out scratches from paintwork?? I have a few scratches that I want to get rid of, and would LOOOOOVE a product to get rid of them.. Also, what are your favourite tyre/wheel polishes? Body waxes?? I'd like an idea of what other people are using, so that when I do get around to doing some cleaning of the Swede this weekend, I have the right stuff. __________________ Subscriptions cost an arm & a leg. Lucky I'm an octopus. ~Wes RIP Randy

Apr 06, 2009, 2:54 PM	#26
n wright 275 M-B Fan Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Boone, NC Posts: 6,603	If you want to get out minor scatches like the ones that build up under door handels, i use nu-finish scratch remover For tire shine i use armor all tire gel, i don't like the sprays/foams I also use Nu-Finish polish, that stuff is great, you can apply it in the sun __________________ "The best way of doing good to the poor is not making them easy in poverty" -Benjamin Franklin

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