Show but no shine.....1st attempt at engine detail

alban61

alban61

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This is my 1st attempt at detailing the engine. Outcome definitely not to AG standards :o
Use of a hose is not allowed in my mobile home park, so I ended up using spray bottles. I've come to the conclusion that, a hose is definitely needed for detailing the engine bay. Don't know if I'd dare use a hose anyway. I opened up the hood and saw all kinds of wires with plugs and connectors.......besides all the dust and dirt! This is the engine bay of my '99 Explorer. Don't know when the engine was cleaned last. I know I haven't done it since I bought it about 5 years ago.:o Freaked me out when I saw all those wires w/ connectors and things plugged together, especially up against the firewall. All I could think of was.....short circuit!! I know I've read all the successful engine details done here, with some members not even bothering to cover anything, but knowing my luck. I'm chicken when it comes to destroying some auto part that I've no money to replace.
Anyway, here's my attempt..................
1 spray bottle of DP 4n1 QD
1 spray bottle of water
Amazing Roll-Off
Armor All Tire shine
Lots of rags NO WATER HOSE USED
First I sprayed QD and wiped down everything. Then sprayed water, followed by Amazing Roll-Off. Scrubbed and then sprayed more water as a rinse and wiped things down. Sprayed Armor All and then started engine and let run for 5 mins. As you can see, there are a lot of areas that were missed. Looks better but still not up to AG standards.
My Ford manual showed to cover up battery, air filter housing, main fuse box and the area where all the plug wires go into (distributor, I guess). So how in the world do you guys clean the area by the plug wires? Just hose it, I'm guessing. Guess I should just suck it up and use a hose at my in-laws. All comments, suggestions, and reassurance that a hose is OK, are welcome. :D
BEFORE
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AFTER
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BEFORE
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AFTER
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BEFORE
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AFTER
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Not bad for what you had to work with!..... I wouldn't even attempt a detail on a engine that dirty without a hose! Id cover everything like sensors and electrical connections with plastic and foil as always.
 
No worries....

Alban,
I just attempted my very first engine detail this weekend as well. I've posted the results in this forum:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/8377-baby-steps.html#post120123

I used a normal garden hose. You're not supposed to use a pressure washer, because then you WILL get water where you're not supposed to. I took plastic grocery bags and covered up the belts, alternator, and fuse box (I have an aftermarket foam air cleaner which is down in the fenderwell, so I didn't cover that up as no water was going to get to it). Most of the other wires in my 2000 Ford ZX2 were sealed with weathertight rubber connectors or terminated inside rubber/plastic enclosures. You have to figure that in heavy rain water is going to get under your hood, so it can take some water - just not tons at high pressure. I took care not to concentrate my aim on any wires, just let indirect water spray hit those areas.

Anyways, I sprayed the engine bay down, using low-medium water pressure which basically means I didn't turn the spigot on very much at the house. I then hit the dirty areas with a degreaser (I imagine the DP you referenced stands for quick detailer - I don't think that will have the cleaning power you will need for baked on dirt). I did everything you did, sprayed on some Stoner More Shine and started the car and let it run for about 5 minutes. I had never cleaned the engine for the 6+ years I have owned the car, and I think it turned out pretty good for about 30 minutes of "work".

You definitely made a good difference in your photos, I think with a hose and brush you'll be where you want. I'd say you're 90% there yourself, and you certainly have the process correct. You might also try other "shine" products, I've noticed a big difference in different sprays.
 
Darn good job without a hose! It looks much cleaner. You might try picking up a bottle of the DP Engine Degreaser. Don't know how you can get around not using a hose or pressure washer.
 
I think you did a great job for the first and with the hose restrictions. Like Pauly said I would definetly look into some Stoner's More shine. I love using that on engine bays.
 
I don't see anything wrong with the results alban61, looks good to me. In fact after you give the vehicle a really deep cleaning you maintain it just the way you did this engine. I don't blame you for being cautious with the engine compartment. I'm very cautious becuase I really don't want to short anything in the engine compartment. So I cover anything that I feel deserves to be covered, sometimes it takes me 30min to an hour just in the engine bay but I'm all about being safe...regardless of the age of the vehicle.

Like I said it looks good to me, I like the results. It's the first one you do, look good my friend and besides practice makes perfect :D
 
Being safe is a good thing so don't worry :D I'm scared to detail my engine. The bay really looks clean though, and I'd think that's up to AG's standards. You did a great job.
 
Thanks guys, for all the comments, suggestions and instructions. It's greatly appreciated.
Cobra, Pauly, Carlos...thanks for the instructions. Took me just over an hour to do it.
Reddward.....Thanks for the compliments. Amazing Roll-Off is also a degreaser. Yeah, I definitely need a hose to do the job properly. Gotta wait till I do my in-law's vehicles, then I'll do a proper hose-down on my engine bay.
Klumzypinoy....I'm glad that I'm not the only one scared to detail the engine. And thanks for the compliments.
 
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No problem Alban :D I will have to man up and detail my engine someday.
 
The engine looks great. It looks much better than in the "before" pics. You did a good job and you should be happy with it considering the hose ban. Very nice.
 
Thank you, Alice! I guess I should be satisfied, since I couldn't use a hose.
Thanks, Wolfpacker! I used Armor-All tire spray. I haven't tried any Stoner's products before, even though AG carries them. When you say Stoners More Shine, are you talking about the Tire shine, or the Interior shine spray?
 
Hey alban61! I think you did a great work on the engine! And without a hose? Good work!! It looks really clean ;)
 
Stoner's More Shine

I believe it's meant for tires. I bought mine at Advance Auto Parts for like $3...works great! Though I will say that it has a very even, high gloss shine. For tires, I would use it if that's what people wanted (as opposed to a more subtle, black gloss). It does a great job on underhood hoses and things, though!
 
Impala, Pirex....Thanks guys! Now I need to get brave and find a hose! LOL
Paul......Thanks for the Stoner's info. Will definitely give it a try.
 
alban61 said:
Reddward.....Thanks for the compliments. Amazing Roll-Off is also a degreaser. Yeah, I definitely need a hose to do the job properly. Gotta wait till I do my in-law's vehicles, then I'll do a proper hose-down on my engine bay.
Click to expand...

I totally missed the Amazing Roll-Off listed in your entry! I just ordered a bottle and I'm looking forward to giving it try!
 
alban, I think you done outstanding especially with out a hose. ARO is truly amazing IMO, I haven't tried it on the engine bay yet. At least I can't recall using it on engines, I mostly use APC and pressure washer and Black Magic tire foam. Pressure washer is like 75% air and is less water than water from a garden hose. Thanks for sharing. Awesome work my friend. :applause:
 
Thank you, Sparkie! I really appreciate the compliment. I'm glad that I got ARO, but it's thanks to reviews on it by you that I purchased it. It worked great on the engine bay. Didn't need to use a lot at all. I need to get some APC. A lot cheaper too, since you can dilute it. I'll save my ARO for my camper/RV. I like using it on the tires/wheels too. Thanks for the pressure-washer info. I do have a Karcher. We're allowed to use a hose once a year for pressure-washing the vinyl siding, gutters etc on the house. So I've only used it twice! LOL. I'll take it to my parents or in-law's the next time, and use it on the engine bay. Hopefully, I won't need a ride home! :D
 
That amazing roll off is amazing on engine compartments . Just wet it down spray on the roll off and let it dwell while using a brush to aggitate any stubborn areas and rinse off
 
On your pressure washer keep the spray about 4 to 5 feet back. Cover the distributor with a plastic bag, you don't want to get it wet.
Try cutting your ARO 1:1 with DI water, and see if it works for you. You can pick DI water up at Wal-Mart for under a buck for a gallon.
 
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