Engine detailing

aztec1987

aztec1987

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So I am getting really good on detailing the exterior of a car now my next goal is to learn to detail the engine of a car. Now since I don't want to do it on anyone's car I chose my guinea pig for a test in which is my brothers 2008 Mustang GT to practice (I know I am a jerk for doing this but hey it's a Ford they fall apart anyway). I have read that I need to cover the alternator, battery, and fuses, please let me know if I am missing anything else out. I have seen his engine in which the fuses do have a cover on it, the only thing that are expose so far is the alternator and the battery. My plan was to cover the battery and alternator with a plastic bag (shopping bags) and start to spray the engine with come CG Citrus + or if you guys have better recommendation please feel free to let me know and post pics! Can you guys please give me some tips on how I can do this and as well if I am leaving anything else out. To end it the engine light is already on since the previous owner use to have straight pipes on the car. Feed back please
 
Mike wrote an awesome article on this. I did my first one recently, never bothered before, and it turned out well. Itll get better with practice though. Plus it was my 17 y/o truck that i used to offroad in, so that made it challenging.

I used megs apc plus and then amazing rolloff for cleaners. Then v07 for final paint wipedown and 303 aerospace for plastics and rubber.
 
Yes cover the alternator, air intake opening and the mass air flow sensor, spark plug wires, if it is exposed.
I use plastic shopping bags and zip tie them snug but loose enough to cut off when I'm done. Some people clean warm engines I do mine cold. When I rinse I use the mist setting on my hose, Dry really well with and electric leaf blower and towels. Then start the engine to do the rest.
After it cools I dress it.
You will need an APC and various brushes.
 
inDetail said:
Yes cover the alternator, air intake opening and the mass air flow sensor, spark plug wires, if it is exposed.
I use plastic shopping bags and zip tie them snug but loose enough to cut off when I'm done. Some people clean warm engines I do mine cold. When I rinse I use the mist setting on my hose, Dry really well with and electric leaf blower and towels. Then start the engine to do the rest.
After it cools I dress it.
You will need an APC and various brushes.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I do plan to do the detailing soon! I will post a picture up in order to look inside the engine!
 
This is the engine and how it currently looks like!
 
aztec1987 said:
So I am getting really good on detailing the exterior of a car now my next goal is to learn to detail the engine of a car. Now since I don't want to do it on anyone's car I chose my guinea pig for a test in which is my brothers 2008 Mustang GT to practice (I know I am a jerk for doing this but hey it's a Ford they fall apart anyway). I have read that I need to cover the alternator, battery, and fuses, please let me know if I am missing anything else out. I have seen his engine in which the fuses do have a cover on it, the only thing that are expose so far is the alternator and the battery. My plan was to cover the battery and alternator with a plastic bag (shopping bags) and start to spray the engine with come CG Citrus + or if you guys have better recommendation please feel free to let me know and post pics! Can you guys please give me some tips on how I can do this and as well if I am leaving anything else out. To end it the engine light is already on since the previous owner use to have straight pipes on the car. Feed back please
Click to expand...

I hope you got your brother's permission first.
 
sunday joe said:
I hope you got your brother's permission first.
Click to expand...

He really trust me with his car since I always leave it up to his expectations. He like my work that I do to his car.

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OK. I'm a wuss. I wouldn't clean the engine in my driveway. All kinds of toxic whatever on that thing. I'd take it to the coin op. I understand in California they don't even allow engine cleaning at those places. That should tell you something.

In my case, I sprayed some simple green heavy duty on it and drove down there, to kind of boost the green stuff they had at the coin op, but probably that was at least unnecessary and not necessarily a good idea (Simple Green either heavy duty or regular being a controversial engine cleaning material).
 
peterhurcos said:
OK. I'm a wuss. I wouldn't clean the engine in my driveway. All kinds of toxic whatever on that thing. I'd take it to the coin op. I understand in California they don't even allow engine cleaning at those places. That should tell you something.

In my case, I sprayed some simple green heavy duty on it and drove down there, to kind of boost the green stuff they had at the coin op, but probably that was at least unnecessary and not necessarily a good idea (Simple Green either heavy duty or regular being a controversial engine cleaning material).
Click to expand...

Everything is legal until you get caught then it is illegal hahaha that was my philosophy when I was a undergrad working for my Criminal Justice major. I am kinda scared of doing the engine but hey I have to learn and do a lot of research
 
peterhurcos said:
OK. I'm a wuss. I wouldn't clean the engine in my driveway. All kinds of toxic whatever on that thing. I'd take it to the coin op. I understand in California they don't even allow engine cleaning at those places. That should tell you something.

In my case, I sprayed some simple green heavy duty on it and drove down there, to kind of boost the green stuff they had at the coin op, but probably that was at least unnecessary and not necessarily a good idea (Simple Green either heavy duty or regular being a controversial engine cleaning material).
Click to expand...

The one near me has one bay where engine cleaning is allowed.

Must be on a separate recirc or drain
 
I wouldn't wash your engine at a coin op unless it's next door. You should never wash a hot engine.
 
aztec1987 said:
Spray the engine with come CG Citrus + or if you guys have better recommendation please feel free to let me know and post pics!
Click to expand...

I've been using Swish Facto AT30 (formerly called Indo 505) since 1986 and it is all I use to de-grease anything. It is a water-based de-greaser that won't wreck your asphalt driveway as Dunk and other petroleum products do. And you can continue reapplying it after rinsing.

I also do not use any spray coatings on my engine. I like it clean and natural looking.

This is a pic of an 18 year old engine...

Engine%20Compartment%204-XL.jpg
 
blkSRT said:
I wouldn't wash your engine at a coin op unless it's next door. You should never wash a hot engine.
Click to expand...

One never should.


peterhurcos said:
I understand in California they don't even allow engine cleaning at those places.
Click to expand...

Could be for the reason stated. It could also be that they'd had too many engines not start afterwards blocking up their car wash bays.
 
I prefer watching videos than reading how to's

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LESRJrB1L5I]Engine Cleaning: Ferrari, Corvette, and GT40 -- /DRIVE CLEAN - YouTube[/video]

Ford, Ferrari (they both start with an F) lol

also if your not sure if it should be covered. Just cover it.

I used PERL after btw.
 
I am looking at videos trying to get much detailed information

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Do you use a foam canon for it or just spray and pray?

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Haha why would you have to pray? Lol

Its really not that hard.

Just some:

APC
Brushes
And gently rinse

And just cover parts that need to be covered.

Also irk if you HAVE to dress the engine, but I like to. Might as well after doing all the other work.
 
Yeah I plan to dress the engine in order to make it look nice

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