Engine / Engine Compartment cleanup

[Skatulaki]

What do people use to get an engine compartment looking really nice and clean besides a lot of elbow grease and time?

Also is there any way to get aluminum part corrosion cleaned up besides using a lot of elbow grease, time and wire wheels?

On my 02 Dale Earnhardt Monte Carlo, I wire wheeled the aluminum to clean it and give it a brushed look, but haven't figured out how to keep it from re-corroding, and that car is going to take me a long time to put in the shape I want it.

However my 02 Ram is in same need, only its planned to be used as a daily, so i don't have to get quite as fancy, but I still want it to look good, just not wanting to spend show car labor on it!

Thanks in advance

Skatu

 

[Peep6543]

CRC Citrus Degreaser is my friend for cleaning up the engine compartment. Then I'll get to today spots with Simple Green and a plastic brush. Depending on how much plastic you have left in there you can wipe it with A&H.

 

[Skatulaki]

Do you pressure wash or just hose it?

 

[18CrewDually]

Purple power and water hose sprayer or pressure washer on LOW. Then I spray the bay down (mostly the plastic bits) with foaming tire shine & let it sit for 15 minutes. Then finish by wiping gently with a soft towel. I've done this to every customer's vehicle and my own once a year to maintain.

In a pinch I've also use HD silicone spray as a substitute and on aluminum parts to slow corrosion.

 

[Peep6543]

Hose power with a garden nozzle set to jet.

 

[John Jensen]

I spray the engine compartment with ZEP Orange (1st choice) or Purple Power. Let it sit for 5 minutes then hose spray the compartment clean.
Last I spray it all with 303 Aerospace Protectant for plastic and rubber parts protection and for the shine.
There's no need to wipe anything down.

 

[CheechDogg.0n37s]

I spray the engine compartment with ZEP Orange (1st choice) or Purple Power. Let it sit for 5 minutes then hose spray the compartment clean.
Last I spray it all with 303 Aerospace Protectant for plastic and rubber parts protection and for the shine.
There's no need to wipe anything down.

I'm about to order the 128 oz. from amazon to spray my engine bay now that I cleaned it lol ..

 

[John Jensen]

I'm about to order the 128 oz. from amazon to spray my engine bay now that I cleaned it lol ..

Good. You'll be glad you did and you will find there are many uses for 303, a great product

 

[CheechDogg.0n37s]

Good. You'll be glad you did and you will find there are many uses for 303, a great product

Ok to use it on my wife's Lexus leather?

 

[John Jensen]

Ok to use it on my wife's Lexus leather?

Yes, here's what they say:

Stain resistant. 303 Aerospace Protectant repels water and dirt, and resists stains. Treated surfaces require less cleaning and will remain in like-new condition. It restores the original finish to vinyl, rubber, plastic, acrylic, finished leather, and fiberglass. 303 is never oily or greasy.

 

[CheechDogg.0n37s]

Yes, here's what they say:

Stain resistant. 303 Aerospace Protectant repels water and dirt, and resists stains. Treated surfaces require less cleaning and will remain in like-new condition. It restores the original finish to vinyl, rubber, plastic, acrylic, finished leather, and fiberglass. 303 is never oily or greasy.

Nice ! can't wait to start dressing everything up lol ... I should be getting it any time now from Amazon ....

 

[GeometryFletch]

CRC Citrus Degreaser is my friend for cleaning up the engine compartment. Then I'll get to today spots with Simple Green and a plastic brush. Depending on how much plastic you have left in there you can wipe it with A&H.

it smells good too. lol

 

[xtremeroller]

303 on almost everything. Great product.

 

[Pull Ya]

Simple green then https://www.autopia-carcare.com/son-720.html#.YElraGhKiyI
Jay

 

[ViperOne]

I use 303 for rubber seals.....doors, hoods, trunks