Engine Bay Detailing

Isaiahjones12

Isaiahjones12

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Hello Fellow Auto Geeks,

To make it simple. I'm 17 and have a 2008 Nissan Altima. I got it from my mom and now I'm trying my hardest to bring it back in shape. The only thing I really need to know is what to mask that's around my engine when I start to detail it and, what is the best product to use when detailing it. Thanks for reading.Feed back please
 
You'll want to make sure your alternator is covered. Anything thats electrically powered should be covered. As long as you are careful and arent spraying water all over your motor you should be okay.
 
Also if you have an intake of some sort that is exposed, cover it. I use carpro for my engine or 303.
 
Isaiahjones12 said:
Hello Fellow Auto Geeks,

To make it simple. I'm 17 and have a 2008 Nissan Altima. I got it from my mom and now I'm trying my hardest to bring it back in shape. The only thing I really need to know is what to mask that's around my engine when I start to detail it and, what is the best product to use when detailing it. Thanks for reading.Feed back please
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Check out Nick's writeup on engine detailing from start to finish.

How To: Detail Your Engine Like a Professional

You'll want to cover alternator & any electrical connections you can along with the air inlet.

Post before/after pics when you're done!
 
Meguiar's all Season Dressing D160 is a good dressing to use after you degrease it. Meg's APC in a 1:4 dilution will break up dirt/grease before you hose it off. You can also use the dry method and not use water, but you'll be sacrificing a bunch of rags. Theres lot of good APC's and exterior dressings to pick from if you already have something else in hand.
 
Thanks Guys for the great and valuable information!!! Helps a ton! I will update you all on the outcome with before and after photos! :dblthumb2:

See Ya'll Soon
 
A steamer also helps a ton. I use an inexpensive Wagner unit
 
CrayBrown said:
You'll want to make sure your alternator is covered. Anything thats electrically powered should be covered. As long as you are careful and arent spraying water all over your motor you should be okay.
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I have washed tens of cars with a pressure washer (Karcher) in the past without covering anything in the engine bay, and experienced zero problems.

There is a bit of a myth in this, as there are many myths in car detailing, many of which are designed to milk more $$ out of peps pockets.

/
 
Yeah I have detailed my engine bay several times and don't cover up a single thing. When I detail friends or family's cars I usually cover up some parts like I mentioned above. That is usually if it is an older car.
 
I like CD2 engine detailer. autozone sells it in an aerosol.
It is just a dressing, it does not clean.
 
OPC at 3:1
303 for the plastics
Several brushes of various sizes
*a few tooth brushes too

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just take your time
chris<pixelmonkey>:D
 
Along with a strong dilutiuon of APC and various brushes, I use a rinse bucket with shop towels and a garden sprayer with a wand for rinsing. I can easily rinse an engine bay with less than a gallon of water and the water can be directed very accurately to avoid sensitive parts.
 
I use diluted APC to clean and 303 to dress most everything. CG black on black is great for hoses and hard to reach areas!
 
I have detailed tons of engine compartments old and new. I have never covered up alternators, but have covered up large bundles of wires and connectors on certain cars. In many cases though the engine I was detailing needed the alternator cleaned as well.
I like to use Simple Green with lots of different size paint brushes/ tooth brushes and warm water. I then rinse it down with water trying only to get the electrical areas wet enough to rinse them off. From there I blow dry it with a electric air dryer or leaf blower. I usually let it air dry for a while then run the car for a bit to make sure it is all completely dry.The final step(once the engine is cool) is a good coat of 303 or some other non petroleum based protectant/dressing.
 
dpscoupe said:
Anyone ever use Sonus Trim & Motor Kote
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here is my engine detail with it...i really like the product, but it is the only thing other than bold and bright ive ever tried under the hood....IMO the Trim and Motor Kote is awesome. I also use simple green (in the mean green bottle) and the sample of Adams APC i tried...I tossed the Adams out. it didnt touch anything under teh hood. Ive used simple green, mean green and zep purple under teh hood to degrease with good results. i agitate with a brush and rinse with the garden hose.

IMG-20120818-00175_zps1148e4a2.jpg


IMG-20120818-00185_zps8387b5dd.jpg
 
primo spaghetti said:
here is my engine detail with it...i really like the product, but it is the only thing other than bold and bright ive ever tried under the hood....IMO the Trim and Motor Kote is awesome. I also use simple green (in the mean green bottle) and the sample of Adams APC i tried...I tossed the Adams out. it didnt touch anything under teh hood. Ive used simple green, mean green and zep purple under teh hood to degrease with good results. i agitate with a brush and rinse with the garden hose.

IMG-20120818-00175_zps1148e4a2.jpg


IMG-20120818-00185_zps8387b5dd.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing your experience with it. On a whim I ordered some from AG & began to worry when no one was mentioning it.
 
youll be happy...just use it per the instructions and dont get the urge to wipe the coating when you spray it on...

it will look milky and blotchy and might even have spots or beads of product when you spray it...let it dry and it will look good...you can very lightly wipe the spots off, but it is meant to be sprayed on lightly in a couple coats and left to cure.
 
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