Engine bay cleaning

[regalT87]

I understand that no water is best, for good reason. But I had a auto sales business for many years and we had to pressure wash these cars and other than an occasional dry out job on a distributer, only 1 car (buick) out of several hundred had a serious issue as a result of the water. It just never ran as good as it should have after that and we couldn't find the problem.

I will not pressure wash my Shelby, but it is a DD and is filthy so I will have to garden hose it

[SVTGT500]

I use a product called 303 Aerospace Protectant the stuff is amazing !!! I've tried Ice but perfer this...
I also use their Convertible Top Protectant and Cleaner it's the Best, water beads off the roof like it's waxed and protects it from UV Rays so it doesn't fade... Great Products, Check them out...

303 Products Inc.: 303 Aerospace Protectant
303 Products Inc.: Convertible Top Kits

[Boston Mike]

Originally Posted by iceman

I know Grabber uses ICE on the hoses etc. in the bay.

If the car is stock you might be able to get away with steam cleaning but with all of the computers etc. I would not suggest it after what I went through with the hose and water getting in the computer and MAFIA/Meter.

I would do it by hand and use a nice cleaner/degreaser on the engine and the ICE on the hoses if I were going to do this myself. You could e-mail the detailer I am using now and ask what he suggests as he is familiar with mine and does a nice job. He is very careful in the engine bay too. web page for his stuff is www.mypersonalautodetailer.com

David is a fantastic detailer, good guy, and loves mustangs even though his hands are many more expensive cars a lot of the time. He is a member here (Fergnation I think) but it's probably easier to e-mail through his site. Just tell him you got his info here and ask away....we have been talking about a "Detailers Corner" here for him but just have not gotten to it yet.

Are you bringing him to Shelbyfest with you? Please?? After 9 hours on the road, I am not looking forward to the grime that I'll have to wash off my car.........I did just buy the Mother's Ball4Paint to make buffing it a little easier I hope.

[Dad's72Mach]

Originally Posted by Boston Mike

Are you bringing him to Shelbyfest with you? Please?? After 9 hours on the road, I am not looking forward to the grime that I'll have to wash off my car.........I did just buy the Mother's Ball4Paint to make buffing it a little easier I hope.

Give us a report on how that works Mike, I'm always looking for a labor saver. I have a referral on a good detailer here but I'm afaid to take my car in for fear of a stroke when he tells me the price.

[Dad's72Mach]

Originally Posted by SVTGT500

I use a product called 303 Aerospace Protectant the stuff is amazing !!! I've tried Ice but perfer this...
I also use their Convertible Top Protectant and Cleaner it's the Best, water beads off the roof like it's waxed and protects it from UV Rays so it doesn't fade... Great Products, Check them out...

Thanks for the link. I notice the rubber protectant is a spray. Does it leave a residue or otherwise affect painted surfaces?

[clark17357]

Originally Posted by Chinapino

This is the reason why i only clean my car. I took some degresser and sparyed down the bay. My car is stock so i'm thinking its not going to do anything bad. thats why i want it clean because me and my dad are going to start moding soon.

I would suggest a professional steam cleaning if you and your Dad are going to really be working on your car. That will tend to get everything super clean and ready for the mods.

Jim

[iceman]

Originally Posted by Boston Mike

Are you bringing him to Shelbyfest with you? Please?? After 9 hours on the road, I am not looking forward to the grime that I'll have to wash off my car.........I did just buy the Mother's Ball4Paint to make buffing it a little easier I hope.

I actually thought about it. It does not look like it will happen this year though as I am going to attempt to bring the wife and 2 kids in the mustang. Maybe normally not too tough but with Kelly and katie traveling light is not an easy thing.

I may next year see if we can get David out there though and maybe he can offer some services for people and go around showing some tips. It's fun to watch him work actually. He can talk and just sort of glides around the car doing things. It's pretty amazing given how hard it is for me to clean the thing.

He did ask me to never use the power ball for paint on my paint though - just an FYI. We have not seen it yet but he is rather particular with the paint.

[6-Speed]

Mines not a DD so the engine doesn't get too filthy. I just wipe down the engine parts with a damp microfiber towel during each car wash. A little water always gets in the engine compartment and I just wipe it dry along with the dust and dirt.

[JTB]

Originally Posted by SVTGT500

I use a product called 303 Aerospace Protectant the stuff is amazing !!! I've tried Ice but perfer this...
I also use their Convertible Top Protectant and Cleaner it's the Best, water beads off the roof like it's waxed and protects it from UV Rays so it doesn't fade... Great Products, Check them out...

303 Products Inc.: 303 Aerospace Protectant
303 Products Inc.: Convertible Top Kits

Can I by this at a retailer or only online?

[gr8snkbite]

eng bays should be effortless...front end though is another story. i actually tried the road wrap when i went to Evo..worked great.

[iceman]

Did you cut a hole for the front so air could get in for cooling or was it OK? I was considering it for the drive friday to SHelbyfest

[SVTGT500]

Originally Posted by Dad's72Mach

Thanks for the link. I notice the rubber protectant is a spray. Does it leave a residue or otherwise affect painted surfaces?

It doesn't leave any residue. I spray it on just about everything supercharger,valve covers,hoses,plastic let it sit for a bit and just give it a light wipe down. Doesn't affect paint and it's not greasy like other stuff... Makes it look better then new no b/s

Originally Posted by JTB Consulting

Can I by this at a retailer or only online?

As for a retailer I bought mine at Canadian Tire being Canadian eh
Here's a link off their site...
303 Products, Inc. Makers of 303 Aerospace Protectant, High Tech Fabric Guard, Patio Furniture Cleaner and More !

[gr8snkbite]

Originally Posted by iceman

Did you cut a hole for the front so air could get in for cooling or was it OK? I was considering it for the drive friday to SHelbyfest

i layed it across which covered from the front lip to about three inches above the inlets. then i just made a cut along the inlet and pressed it flat. it doesnt really form to the body curves well. i had wrinkles, but it served its purpose. wasnt to concerned with looks as i was debris. then i just slowly peeled it off after getting there. came right up, no residue, or issues with the paint.

[onecrazydog]

I like to keep the engine bay clean, makes the car go faster!!

[Rickf73]

I was amazed at how little dirt gets under the hood, even using it as a DD. I have started using one of those static dusters to get into some of the area that my hands can't reach, like along the firewall.

[onecrazydog]

Someone needs to invent on of those wheel brush things but softer for the engine bay...

Wait, I just did!! Now someone just needs to make it...

[ShowCar]

Heres my engine bay tool. It consists of a old microfiber towel and a paint mixing stick. Wrap the towel around the paint stick and tape up the top of the towel to the stick. Then mist some detail spray on the towel. Wipe area down and you are done. Ive actually gotten into some really tight spots this way. Plus you can throw out the towel if its pretty dirty. Its my version of the swifter dusting cloth.