2 engine details

[fahoumh]

I did 2 engine details on Monday with the help of my girlfriend on my 2002 TL-S and her 2000 Sunfire. My car wasn't too bad since I usually give it a wipe down every second or third wash but hers hasn't ever been cleaned.

My process was to start with a cold engine, cover the alternator, spray with Kleenol APC @ 1:4, let dwell for a few minutes then agitate with various brushes and then rinse. After drying with a leaf blower (I'm saving up for either a Metro Vac N'Blo or a Master Blaster) and MF, I treated all the plastic and rubber surfaces with 303. I made sure to be careful with the APC and water around the electricals.

Sunfire Before:

Sunfire After:

TL-S Before:

TL-S After:

I started with Kleenol (Kleenzit) APC at 1:4 but I found it not to have enough muscle to break down the dirt. So I then tried it at full strength but I'm worried that I'm just being wasteful. I have Optimum Power Clean sitting in the basement though I don't know what dilution ratio to use; I've done research but I couldn't find a consensus. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Any thoughts, comments, criticisms, suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks for looking! rops:

 

[Stang Man]

Looks good!

My final step is to spray Armor-All on the plastics and rubber hoses, close the hood and start the engine. When you start to see a little smoke/steam coming out from under the hood, turn the motor off.

After a few minutes pop the hood again and you're almost good to go- just a light wipe down to remove any streaks and you're all done.

 

[bl3ujay07]

Looks good!

My final step is to spray Armor-All on the plastics and rubber hoses, close the hood and start the engine. When you start to see a little smoke/steam coming out from under the hood, turn the motor off.

After a few minutes pop the hood again and you're almost good to go- just a light wipe down to remove any streaks and you're all done.

I thought Armor-All can and does dry out rubber?

 

[Mazda.Mark]

I love clean engines! Nice job that sunfire has new life under there!

 

[SkateForGirl]

I thought Armor-All can and does dry out rubber?

It does. My friend who worked at autozone had to inform everyone before they bought any armor all product that they tend to dry out rubber. That's why it shouldn't be used IMO.

Nice job OP. Try diluting the OPC 1:1

 

[sserdlihc]

The first pic of the sunfire looked like someone had poured baby powder all over the engine.

 

[AdamL]

The change in the Sunfire is night and day, nice work!
I wipe down my engine bay with every wash, but only recently started using 303 to spruce it up. The first wash after the first 303, the wipe down was much easier as the bay seemed cleaner to start with.

 

[02accordSE]

My final step is to spray Armor-All on the plastics and rubber hoses, close the hood and start the engine. When you start to see a little smoke/steam coming out from under the hood, turn the motor off.

After a few minutes pop the hood again and you're almost good to go- just a light wipe down to remove any streaks and you're all done.

I can't believe you just mentioned Armor-All on here! Oh god. (kidding)
Probably just a nice coat of 303 would be a heck of a lot better than Armor-All.

Anyways, They both look wonderful. That TL-S is a machine man. How do you like it?

 

[fahoumh]

Looks good!

My final step is to spray Armor-All on the plastics and rubber hoses, close the hood and start the engine. When you start to see a little smoke/steam coming out from under the hood, turn the motor off.

After a few minutes pop the hood again and you're almost good to go- just a light wipe down to remove any streaks and you're all done.

Next time I'm dressing I'll try that with the 303, thanks.

I thought Armor-All can and does dry out rubber?

I've heard the same thing. I also don't like the shiny look it leaves...I much prefer a matted finish.

I love clean engines! Nice job that sunfire has new life under there!

Yeah I was happy with the way it turned out. It definitely was a lot more work than my car's engine.

It does. My friend who worked at autozone had to inform everyone before they bought any armor all product that they tend to dry out rubber. That's why it shouldn't be used IMO.

Nice job OP. Try diluting the OPC 1:1

Thank you. I'll try OPC @ 1:1 on the next engine.

The change in the Sunfire is night and day, nice work!
I wipe down my engine bay with every wash, but only recently started using 303 to spruce it up. The first wash after the first 303, the wipe down was much easier as the bay seemed cleaner to start with.

Thanks! I was kinda hoping that would be the case with helping with dirt repelling since I know the UV protectant quality in 303 would hardly be utilized.

I can't believe you just mentioned Armor-All on here! Oh god. (kidding)
Probably just a nice coat of 303 would be a heck of a lot better than Armor-All.

Anyways, They both look wonderful. That TL-S is a machine man. How do you like it?

Thanks, dude. I've been rocking that car since I got it brand new in November of 2001. It's been good to me, it's not really a fast car but it's no slouch either. I always have fun driving it. I can't wait to get the summers back on. rops:

EDIT: I forgot to mention those are the 2nd and 3rd engine details I've ever done. The first was my cousin's 09 135i, which was a lot easier since it was newer and the amount of plastic shrouding.

 

[Stang Man]

I thought Armor-All can and does dry out rubber?

I've never had an issue using it in engine bays, but will admit I haven't used it in quite a while.

Your favorite dressing should work too, whether it be 303, PERL, etc. Follow the same instructions, you just want a light steam.

Since I have PERL now, I'll likely go with that next time.

 

[fahoumh]

I've never had an issue using it in engine bays, but will admit I haven't used it in quite a while.

Your favorite dressing should work too, whether it be 303, PERL, etc. Follow the same instructions, you just want a light steam.

Since I have PERL now, I'll likely go with that next time.

I just checked out CEE DOG's PERL review. It's something I might consider in the future.