[SA]

Here are some engine details I've done in the past.

I spray down engines with 4 parts water and 1 part SimpleGreen. Then pressure wash the carpartment from both sides and the front. Then mist with Auto Magic's SuperDressIt, close the hood and I'm done. The average time to detail an engine is about 5 minutes.















These engines are hand dressed

[P1et]

How long to you let the Simple Green sit before pressure washing it? Also, do you cover up any components and if so, how?

[Deep Gloss Auto Salon]

Originally Posted by P1et

How long to you let the Simple Green sit before pressure washing it? Also, do you cover up any components and if so, how?

Shower caps work great, so do the plastic bags you get with your groceries..

Man I want to use Simple Green SOOO badly but am SOOO nervous from all the horror stories i have heard!

[P1et]

Originally Posted by MotorCity

Shower caps work great, so do the plastic bags you get with your groceries..

Man I want to use Simple Green SOOO badly but am SOOO nervous from all the horror stories i have heard!

Thanks! That's what I needed to know. And what components do you normally cover up? My brother uses aluminium foil and wraps that around bits he doesn't want to get wet.

[Deep Gloss Auto Salon]

Originally Posted by P1et

Thanks! That's what I needed to know. And what components do you normally cover up? My brother uses aluminium foil and wraps that around bits he doesn't want to get wet.

I normally cover the distributor, air intake, starter and any electrical areas = fuse box etc- most modern vehicles have a shroud over the fuse box so covering is not needed

I am probably more conservative than most when it comes to engine details - I do not use PW I simply use a steam of water.. I am just to damn nervous.

[supercharged]

I'm really sceptical about spraying down an engine of a german car...way too many sensors...I'd rather do a wipe down with citrus degreaser, and a terry towel, then just wipe down with clean damp terry towel, to "rinse"...and yes, charge german cars more for engine detailing...

[JHawk]

Originally Posted by MotorCity

Shower caps work great, so do the plastic bags you get with your groceries..

Man I want to use Simple Green SOOO badly but am SOOO nervous from all the horror stories i have heard!

Just out of curiosity, MotorCity, what do you use when detailing engines?

[Deep Gloss Auto Salon]

Originally Posted by JHawk

Just out of curiosity, MotorCity, what do you use when detailing engines?

Product wise:

I use an All Purpose Cleaner and Stoners More Shine or 303 Aerospace...

I have used cd2 to dress the last 2 times but have yet to perfect the method.

[Nica]

Very nice engine bay details there SA Detailer.

Oh I too enjoy detailing engine bays but I'm always so nervous doing them as I'd hate to ruine something in them so I play it safe and cover up as much as possible..but it all depends on the vehicle too.

[budman3]

I wouldn't reccomend this method at all...

Flooding an engine can cause damage as already stated- ignitions, altenators, coils on plugs, distributor, fueses, etc.

And Simple Green... I don't use it anymore. No one should use it while detailing. Unless it's that aerospace certified one. The typical simple green will fade/bleach/stain plastic and will stain metals.... I don't think a customer would like to have their aluminum block or other metals stained... there are plenty of other APCs that are just as effective yet safer.

Sure it saves time ... but IMO a good detailer (rather than a car washer) would take the extra time and precautions to do a safe and quality engine cleaning. It isn't worth the risks-- even if this process hasn't caused any issues YET, it will in the future! But trying to teach a dog new tricks is impossible ...