Engine bay cleaning/detailing - Saxperience

Lew_C · 12th September 2009, 10:51

Morning everyone!

Basically my engine bay is a bit of a state due to a fubar'd rocker cover gasket so there is oil over a lot of the block

It is the earlier black-top VTR engine so i'd like to get that powder coated posi blue to match the car at the same time, has anyone done this before.. if so could they point me in the right direction of where they got it done?

Does steam cleaning work, I've heard of this on old land rovers from people i know and from where i work etc. and it seems to work a treat but these things have little to no electrics in them so I thought steam cleaning could piss up electrics. If not could someone recommend me a de-greasing spray which would work well?

Also is there any recommended places i could get some blue bits for the engine from. i.e. leads, hoses etc

Any advice would be much appreciated!

PUG1OFF · 15th September 2009, 21:15

u can staem clean if your carfull when i do myne i use kithen film to cover up my elrctical components and if never had a prob and then i spray auto glym interia sheen all over engine bay and leave car ticking over for 15 mins . then thats it looks brand new again

Shanukes · 16th September 2009, 06:55

personally i wouldnt touch the engine with steam cleaning, i normally use Meguires All Purpose Degreaser (APD), leave for 5 minutes and wipe off, then use Autoglym black to black, comes out a treat

Lew_C · 16th September 2009, 20:19

I was thinking about doing this with the clingfilm to stop water ingress but id probably spend more time prepping it when i could just get some degreasing agent on above as below

markdavid · 17th September 2009, 09:35

Best not steam clean engine it can give a lot of after probs.Electrics and a lot of parts need their lube under there.I use just petrol to clean of oil on a pile of cotton old shirts.With your black rocker cover lots of standard paint and car spray varnish can take the heat without burn.Powder coating you will find them on web.how about chrome.

kyle_d · 17th September 2009, 09:38

I used to be a valeter and the best way to clean an engine IMO is to get the engine running and use TFR (traffic film remover) spray it alllllllllllllllllllll over the engine bay and underside of the bonnet then give it a minute and then blast it off with a jet wash. I always used a cold jet wash, never the hot one.

Not sure where to buy TFR from but im sure you could get it online.

This stuff's good for getting fly's off too, spray it on give it a minute or 2 then wash your car.

rowza · 17th September 2009, 10:36

alot of people cover up the electrics and get teh powerhose on it mate not blasting obviously but you can do this if you make sure main things are coverd up

Lew_C · 18th September 2009, 11:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyle_d

I used to be a valeter and the best way to clean an engine IMO is to get the engine running and use TFR (traffic film remover) spray it alllllllllllllllllllll over the engine bay and underside of the bonnet then give it a minute and then blast it off with a jet wash. I always used a cold jet wash, never the hot one.

Not sure where to buy TFR from but im sure you could get it online.

This stuff's good for getting fly's off too, spray it on give it a minute or 2 then wash your car.

Cheers mate, i work at jag and know a few valeters there so will be able to pinch some!

PUG1OFF · 19th September 2009, 15:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by PUG1OFF

u can staem clean if your carfull when i do myne i use kithen film to cover up my elrctical components and if never had a prob and then i spray auto glym interia sheen all over engine bay and leave car ticking over for 15 mins . then thats it looks brand new again

i also used to be a valeter and we always use clingfilm on all petral engines and neva had a prob with any . iv evan power washed my dash and whole interia

Lew_C · 19th September 2009, 22:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by PUG1OFF

i also used to be a valeter and we always use clingfilm on all petral engines and neva had a prob with any . iv evan power washed my dash and whole interia

You on the pug306.net? Sure i remember that name

PUG1OFF · 24th September 2009, 23:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lew_C

You on the pug306.net? Sure i remember that name

no mate mynte be soon tho when i build my 106 gti 6 lol

tally2425 · 25th September 2009, 14:22

Can someone get a diagram and just highlight what will neeed covering up if i jet wash the the whole engine bay (EVERYWHERE) so i dont mess up!

Lew_C · 25th September 2009, 18:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by tally2425

Can someone get a diagram and just highlight what will neeed covering up if i jet wash the the whole engine bay (EVERYWHERE) so i dont mess up!

I think the jist is to cover up anything electrical

kyle_d · 25th September 2009, 18:14

I tried the cling film method and 1) it was a bastard to get the cling film fairly tight around the electrical parts and 2) when i blasted the engine it all just moved and was pointless.

tally2425 · 25th September 2009, 19:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyle_d

I tried the cling film method and 1) it was a bastard to get the cling film fairly tight around the electrical parts and 2) when i blasted the engine it all just moved and was pointless.

So best Method?

someone needs to do a guide would be very helpful

Raz · 26th September 2009, 00:50

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/guides.html

For info on all cleaning etc...use the above. Its been very helpful to me and is what I read before I started getting into the whole whoring thing

Cov_Rob · 26th September 2009, 03:31

Where abouts in coventry are you Lew_C? I'm in keresley, wouldnt mind helping out if needed. i dont have a great deal of engine cleaning experience but its always helpful to have an extra set of hands.

Cov_Rob · 26th September 2009, 03:47

Just found this on the interweb too
http://briskoda.net/styling-car-care...ne-bay/116122/
Quite a detailed 'how to' on cleaning the engine
Also, just so happens to be cleaning a C2 8v :v:

Lew_C · 26th September 2009, 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cov_Rob

Where abouts in coventry are you Lew_C? I'm in keresley, wouldnt mind helping out if needed. i dont have a great deal of engine cleaning experience but its always helpful to have an extra set of hands.

Cheers mate! im from bell green/longford way near the ricoh arena pal. Im always over keresley way as most of my mates live in allesley so just down the road

+ Thanks for the links everyone, they are of great help

Cov_Rob · 27th September 2009, 00:07

Well if ya ever need a hand with anything i always enjoy getting my hands dirty

I'm painting a strut brace tomorrow and a few other bits that need painting, will probably clean the engine bay while i'm at it