Engine bay detailing

[ThunderMug95]

Just curious to see what most people use to clean/degrease your engine bays. Any cleaners work especially well in your experience. Not looking for show car quality, just ease of maintenance by keeping it relatively clean.

 

[Blackdodge2010]

Bottle of super clean, agitator brush, cover everything that shouldn't get wet then rinse it off.

 

[Pull Ya]

I use Simple green and a light spray with water, use the compressor to blow all the water off, then dry it. If you do it often enough you won't have to deal with built up grease and grime. I DON'T use a pressure washer--IHMO if you have to you've waited to long to clean the engine bay. I'm 1/2 way between just keeping it clean and "show quality". LOL
Jay

 

[ThunderMug95]

Id be hesitant to blast anything under the hood with a pressure washer myself. Mine isnt nasty, just dust/pollen. I was looking at my bottle of SimplyGreen and thought Id see what everyone uses.

 

[Damion]

+1 for simple green here too. Spray on a dry cold engine bay, let it soak for a few minutes, hose off.

 

[Brent L]

I have used “Super Purple” and a hose for years with great results. I have a pressure washer, but that is not needed if you wash it 1-2 times a year. I warm the engine (NOT hot) first.


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[Neil E]

I actually just spray simple green on a cold engine, let it soak for a short period of time and wipe with a clean cloth. I am not brave enough to use water with all the electronics under the hood, and it takes care of the dust that has accumulated over the short amount of time since I last did it.

 

[JB1]

Id be hesitant to blast anything under the hood with a pressure washer myself. Mine isnt nasty, just dust/pollen. I was looking at my bottle of SimplyGreen and thought Id see what everyone uses.

Good info here


https://www.ramforum.com/threads/anyone-wash-your-engine-bay.130053/#post-1866043

 

[Midnight Storm]

I use Simple green and a light spray with water, use the compressor to blow all the water off, then dry it. If you do it often enough you won't have to deal with built up grease and grime. I DON'T use a pressure washer--IHMO if you have to you've waited to long to clean the engine bay. I'm 1/2 way between just keeping it clean and "show quality". LOL
JayView attachment 166499

Dude! That’s show worthy.

 

[Pull Ya]

Thank you
Jay

 

[tidefan1967]

I also use Simple Green. Spray it on everything but the fuse box, let it sit for 10-15 minutes then lightly spray it off with the water hose. Crank it up and run it for a few minutes until its mostly dry. I wouldn't recommend any of those purple cleaners on anything aluminum as it is corrosive and will cause oxidation as it eats away at the metal.

 

[PaulTGarrett]

I drive the truck around the block a few times to warm the engine up, then spray everything under the hood down with a garden sprayer filled with a hefty shot of Dawn. Usually the blue stuff in case you're wondering. If I've been parked next to a bunch of bowties, I'll use the orange anti-bacterial. LOL I then hit the engine with a good strong pinpoint nozzle, blasting the mud, crud, blood, and beer from wherever it may be. If there is anything left after round one, I simply repeat the process.

I do NOT directly shoot the alternator, batteries, or fuse box, but I don't care if they get indirect spray. If you drive in the rain, spray will come up from the road and through the radiator Doesn't hurt anything. If the batteries are grody, I'll give them some attention with a stiff brush and some baking soda.

 

[Pull Ya]

IMHO if you clean your engine bay often enough you will never need a pressure washer or a strong stream of anything to clean it.
Jay

 

[madtrucker2016]

I use Simple green and a light spray with water, use the compressor to blow all the water off, then dry it. If you do it often enough you won't have to deal with built up grease and grime. I DON'T use a pressure washer--IHMO if you have to you've waited to long to clean the engine bay. I'm 1/2 way between just keeping it clean and "show quality". LOL
JayView attachment 166499

I did my truck one time with simple green and it got on the serpentine belt and the belt made a racket so bad had to buy a new belt don't know whats in it but it wreaked my belt

 

[Pull Ya]

^^Sorry
Jay

 

[Fitz-0518]

Simple green may be the best cleaner we have on our automotive detail cart. Cleans most everything well.

 

[tidefan1967]

Any of those purple cleaners will literally take your fingerprints off if you get it directly on your skin for any length of time. Simple green is a great all around cleaner. Formula 409 is pretty decent too although I recommend the Simple Green. Sorry for your problems there MT2016.