A Note on Engine Detailing

vanev

vanev

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I spoke with a neighbor of mine this morning.
He owns a black Cadillac STS Coupe.

The car always looks great, stays polished, etc...
I asked who takes care of his car.
He said a local mobile auto detailer on the side of town that he works.

He then stated that recently, one of the guys working with that auto detailer, detailed the engine bay.
A young kid, he said.
Soaked it with a degreaser, then used a pressure washer to hose it down.

Result:
Bye Bye electrical system.
$3000.00 to have fixed.
The auto detailer had no insurance.
 
Was it blown dry after the pressure washing?? I know of some reputable shops that use that exact method, but they blow the engine dry after pressure washing it clean.
 
Disconnecting Batteries and blow dry would probably avoided that, with emphasis on disconnecting batteries.

Dave
 
vanev said:
I spoke with a neighbor of mine this morning.
He owns a black Cadillac STS Coupe.

The car always looks great, stays polished, etc...
I asked who takes care of his car.
He said a local mobile auto detailer on the side of town that he works.

He then stated that recently, one of the guys working with that auto detailer, detailed the engine bay.
A young kid, he said.
Soaked it with a degreaser, then used a pressure washer to hose it down.

Result:
Bye Bye electrical system.
$3000.00 to have fixed.
The auto detailer had no insurance.
Click to expand...

I've washed my own vehicles engines that way for over 20 years and still do and have never had an issue, never had an electrical issue.
 
Same here, I've pressure washed my engine bays as well and I've never had a problem. I feel like new cars are made so delicate nowadays. So much tech in the that something bound do go bad. Nowadays though I lightly steam clean the small bits of build that I do get.
 
Using a power washer on an engine just seams like throwing caution in the wind, no matter who has done it X-amount of times safely.
 
I've done the same thing for a long time too.

I wonder how the engine was power washed? I can't help but wonder if the guy shoved the wand down in the open areas and went at it.

I'll always stand back a little to ensure the full force of the power washer isn't driving moisture into bad places or run the risk of things getting damaged/disconnected.
 
i use a pressure washer for engine bays, but i have been a technician for 10 years now and know what to avoid. i saw seen a ton of head PCMs and alternators do to water damage.
 
Matt@landrover said:
i use a pressure washer for engine bays, but i have been a technician for 10 years now and know what to avoid. i saw seen a ton of head PCMs and alternators do to water damage.
Click to expand...
I just picked up a exclusive corvette dealer,and I made it clear I don't wash engines.He completely understands,those of you who detail a few cars on the side your risk factor is minimal.Details guys who do this everyday stay away from engines not worth it as shown here.
 
Why even use a pressure washer? Is it really necessary? If you take your time and use degreasers and brushes, a simple soak down (while avoiding things like the alternator) should be more than enough. I'be never had an issue this way and customers are always more than happy.

OP, do you happen to know if he was working on a hot engine?
 
GSKR said:
I just picked up a exclusive corvette dealer,and I made it clear I don't wash engines.He completely understands,those of you who detail a few cars on the side your risk factor is minimal.Details guys who do this everyday stay away from engines not worth it as shown here.
Click to expand...


most engines can take a light hose of(they are designed to withstand rain storms), when 2500psi gets involved the whether sealing no longer keep the water out. a good APC light brushing and and light rinse will get most engines clean enough for customer satisfaction.

when it comes to dressing i always apply it with a rag. dressing on a belt can ruin them and cause a god awful squeel that will go away if you are lucky, or you could be paying to replace the belts for the customer.
 
jarred767 said:
Why even use a pressure washer? Is it really necessary? If you take your time and use degreasers and brushes, a simple soak down (while avoiding things like the alternator) should be more than enough. I'be never had an issue this way and customers are always more than happy.

OP, do you happen to know if he was working on a hot engine?
Click to expand...
That's a very time consuming process but a safe way of minimizing damage,but make the customer aware that the hand cleaning of engine will be extra money.
 
jcaustin87 said:
Id say the pressure washer was the culprit here
Click to expand...


I agree.

That's old school and it was okay for old cars but with modern cars the last thing you want to do is force water into electrical connections and components.


For everyone that reads this into the future, if you have a new car or if you're working on a customer's new car then do Cosmetic Engine Detailing, not Traditional Engine Detailing.

How to do cosmetic engine detailing


Due credit where credit is due

I learned the term Cosmetic Engine Detailing from my good friend Mel Craig. As a way of life and a professional courtesy to my peers in this industry I never take or steal other guy's work and always give due credit where credit is due. Thanks Mel!



At our Competition Ready Detailing Classes we teach two types of engine detailing.

Traditional engine detailing - That's where you use an engine degreaser and actually wash out the engine bay using running water.

Cosmetic engine detailing - This is where you simply blow-out the engine compartment with air and then wipe the engine compartment down using a plastic trim dressing.
​

It's that simple.

Step 1: Blow out the engine compartment to remove any leaves, sticks, pine needles, dead bugs, dust etc.

Step 2: Wipe the plastic and even painted engine components down with a plastic trim dressing.

Optional: For extremely dirty engines wipe the engine compartment down with a all purpose cleaner first. For light dirt use a waterless wash.


I let my class use the new BLACKFIRE All-In-One Trim & Tire Protectant to do cosmetic engine detailing to this 2012 Chevy Traverse.

This product offers cleaning, conditioning and protecting in one step making it a real time saver.


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It works GREAT for doing cosmetic engine detailing and the above took less than 15 minutes!

If you're simply working on your own cars you can include this as a part of your Saturday wash and wax and get it done fast.

If you're detailing for money, then adding cosmetic engine detailing as an upsell is a money maker.



On Autogeek.com

BLACKFIRE All-In-One Trim & Tire Protectant

Microfiber Applicator Pads

Microfiber All Purpose & Wheel Detailing Towel



:xyxthumbs:
 
Keep in mind, most if not all components under the hood are water resistant as engine compartments are not sealed, so therefore they are expected maybe to get wet from splash or light spray. Components or connectors that should not get wet usually have some sort of a rubber or plastic cover which are usually sufficient to keep them from getting wet from this type of moisture, but not potential spray from a pressure washer.

With all the complex electronics in todays moderns cars, I would be hesitant to do a full spray down on the engine compartment.
 
I have a 14 accord. I hosed my engine off once using the shower setting then used the master blaster to dry. I didn't have any issues. I keep up with the engine so mostly just do as mike suggests cosmetic detailing
 
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