What do you guys use to clean your engine bay with? I tried using a damp rag and drying immeadiatly, but later when it's fully dried its still dirty.
(black car)=(lot of dirt!!!!!!!!)
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What do you guys use to clean your engine bay with? I tried using a damp rag and drying immeadiatly, but later when it's fully dried its still dirty.
(black car)=(lot of dirt!!!!!!!!)
Simply Green then CD2. You will love the look. CD2 is at just about any parts store.:approved:
What is CD2?
Does anyone have a idea on how to get a stuck oil drain plug off?
buy a new one then use a monkey wrench to get the stuck one unbolted.. had to do that with my gf's neon... i thought the damn bolt was going to break it was so bad... i tore all the teeth to hell trying with sockets then had to use the monkey wrench so it would dig into the metal on the bolt to get it. good luck. just remember you dont have to torque it too much for it to hold tight
It is what auto detailers use. I believe all the car dealers use it to.You can get it in just about any auto parts store.
CD2 it's the best for under the hood!
I agree CD2 all the way, and my car is black.:notworthy:
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...403_5_full.jpg
I use windex and hand rags and q-tips.I then go over the hoses and plastic parts with armorall wipes.
sonnyred you must have never tryed CD2. Armorall collects dust and dirt. CD2 dries and keeps the shine. It took me a long time to break down and try it. and WOW it's the best!
OK i'll give give it a shot.
yeh armor all is a huge no no. I did that once and had a huge mess on my hands. I live in texas :dunno:Quote:
Originally Posted by sonnyred
armorall is like crack for your car, use it on your dash once you need to keep on usin it or it will crack your dash. Armorall = SUCKS
so what all do you have to cover if you decide to hose it down????
simple green
nothing just dont concentrate the hose blast on any particular place, make sure your hose is not on the JET setting, spray it down with simple green and GUNK engine bright let sit, rince and its brand spanky cleanQuote:
Originally Posted by sandman22
simple green.. then... low water presser. Remember LOW water presser. I rinse everything. I have never had a problem. THEN let it dry alittle ,I use a leaf blower. Then CD2. and WOW.... BLING BLING BLING !!
It last quite awhile.
Armor All is the worst thing for any vehicle.
i use spray 9 and a hose.... had the car since it was new and it how has 75,000 miles on it.... still looks like the day i got it and runs great even after i clean it... i do it everytime i change the oil
So you dont have to cover ANYTHING even if your gonna spray water all over the engine as long as you use low pressure? And for those who use Simple Green, do you hose down the engine, THEN spray straght SG all over or do you mix the SG with water first in a spray bottle? Also, how long can you let the SG sit before rinsing? Finally, is CD2 the name of the actual product?
I like using colors.
CD 2 is the best I've found. It lasts a long time and looks great.
Hey so what do ya'll use to clean the dash with if amorall is bad? ? i used WD-40 for the engine bay and it also leaves it nice and shinny like the day i bought her and it leaves the block shiny and i also live in texas so i know how SShaRK feels
A couple of people just sayed to hose the thing... but wont that kill the opti and make things prone to short/rust??
Absolutely, if you've got an LT1 car. The guys saying to hose it down all have LS1 cars from what I see. They don't have to worry about a wet opti.
50/50 water and simple green, engine brite cleaner and hose. CD2 as a detailer
whats so bad about Armor all?
Armor all will actually dry out your parts. Over time your dash (or whaterver) will dry up and start cracking. Very bad for the car.
I mix 1 part SG with 1 part water. Spray on and let it penetrate for five minutes, I will then spray another coat on and let sit for another five minutes. Then hose off with light spray, making sure it is all rinsed off. Do not let SG dry on. You dont need to cover anything, just dont use high pressure.Quote:
Originally Posted by sketterman
Quick question. Do you perform the cleaning and spraying with the hose while the eninge is off or on? I am assuming it is with the enigine off - having it on would generate heat which would quickly dissolve the cleaning agent/water.
But, I'm not sure so I thought I would ask.
I recently bought Black Magic Engine cleaner. I was totally satisfied with it. Just follow the instructions on the can and then stand back and admire that new engine look. I picked it up at my local Autozone.
Simple Green or Walmart Brand engine cleaner (Cheap)...Quote:
Originally Posted by boone94
If you have an LS1 be careful spraying water towards the back of the engine:nono: . It will corrode the Knock Sensor under the intake manifold (I know by experience), costs $300 at the dealer to fix because you have to remove the intake. There is a GM service notice to build a "silicone wall" around the sensor, sensor is cheap, labor is :Ohno: Know problem with washing LS1 engine bays...
You wonder where this stuff starts. Armorall is fine for your dash. I used it 9 years on my Formula (in Florida too!) and it was as perfect as Day 1. They are right about the engine and exterior. It doesn't harm anything but does attract dirt.
Agree.............:slap:Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayah-bird
guy's use SCRUBBING BUBBLES. buy it any where .it's for cleaning bathrooms just spray it on (it's foamy ) use i sm paint brush to phiscally clean the engine no scrubing then rinse off with water. NO PRESSURE just rinse . try it you'll like it:approved:
Just for the benefit of everyone.Keep in mind that simple green is a corrosive.
It will corrode metal.So if you get it on wiring or elsewhere and it sits there it will corrode that area.
well you dont use simple green at full concentrate and avoid areas with wiring or areas where it may trap at ie: strut mount area in engine bay. use it lightly and use a brush to clean the bay then rinse off with little pressure and constantly move the water around so water doesn't trap anywhere also.
OK, two things:
1) Simple green reacts with and corrodes aluminum over time. LS1s are aluminum. You do the math.
2) Armor All is not bad for your vehicle. It USED TO be bad, back when it was a solvent/silicone based dressing product. Now it has been reformulated and is water based. It's perfectly safe.
Ok soooo since you guys are saying Simple Green is corrosive and bad, but all the other guys recomended its use, whats the final count?
Should we or should we not use SG , and if not then what should we use instead. Now that spring is around i really gotta clean out that engine bay and i dont wanna screw up my baby by corroding something.
Thanks
Personally I'd order some Meguiar's Super D-Greaser, or head to your local NAPA store for some Castrol Super Clean. Again, dilute accordingly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Necction
SG's the best to me. that in conjunction with some CDL? engine spray.. i forget the name Csomething... anyways... can't mess anything in your engine bay with simple green if you spray it on.... use a mild brush for the very dirty areas... then rinse off using a low pressure setting and keep the water moving around the bay so water wont build up in any one spot. nuff said =)~
:thinkin: :nono:Quote:
Originally Posted by EVL LS1
Read the thread. And... this link: https://safety.army.mil/warrior_stor...nid=2004930-42
If the DoD says it corrodes Aluminum, and I've seen it happen personally, I think I believe it.
Heres what I did. 1) VERY IMPORTANT..make sure engine is cool, hot aluminum and cold water are NOT a good mix. 2) Low pressure garden hose, hose off the engine avoiding a direct spray onto coil packs, ECM and related electrical items like fuse boxes. 3) Spray some simple green onto engine bay trying avoid directly spraying onto bare aluminum (some will get on it but try not to let it sit there) 4) Start scrubbing with towel or brush or both to get the grime off. 5) Hose off gently 6) Dry most of the engine compartment getting to everything you can reach. 7) Once dry spray CD2 engine detailer onto motor and rest of engine bay avoiding your exterior paint. 8) Wipe excess off painted parts in the engine bay and surrounding plastic areas. 9) Open cold beer and admire the work you just put in!! This worked for me not saying works for everyone. Good luck!!
What I still don't understand is, why is everyone so insistent on using Simple Green, when it's been proven that it can cause long-term damage? There are PLENTY of other degreaser products out there that are MUCH safer to be using.:thinkin:Quote:
Originally Posted by Walking-Dead
I've never had a problem using SG. Of course I don't put it on there and forget about it but it sits for a few minutes and then I hose it off. I have another friend that does the exact same process..in fact that's who told me how to do it and he's never had issues either. I'm not saying SG isn't bad for aluminum...we are very aware of this when using the product. However, like I said we don't let it stay on there very long either. Does a great job on the motor and the rest of the engine compartment.
what about the guys like me who have open filters we cant spray the filter
If your refering to a volant type air induction I would assume you could tie a plastic bag around the filters with a zip tie or rubber band. Be creative..lol!
yes but my $300 setup isnt worth the risk and its the open filter made for aftermarket rapotor2 hoods and for the camaro's Suncoast hoods
Look...the bottom line is these are mearly suggestions that have worked for OTHER people. NO ONE said you HAVE to do it this way. I have a whisper lid and don't have to worry about it. I'm not taking the hose and shoving it into the airbox opening either. Figure out something else that works for YOU. Like I stated before be creative or just run with your engine dirty...doesn't matter much to me. That's what has worked for ME for 3 years. Good luck!!
That is sage advice, read and heed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Walking-Dead
I think if you're paranoid about water, wrap the items you're worried about with tin foil and go to it... I use Gunk 'foamy engine brite', diluted simple green, hose with a trickle of water, towels, washcloths, tooth brushes, parts brushes, and swabs of assorted sizes, But, and it's a big but, I finish off with a spray down of future floor wax. This is what works for me.
Lil Dog in a big pound
who ,makes cd2 and where can i get it .i tried pepboys and they never heard of it
CD2 Engine Detailer is made by CD2 Company. The only place I know that carries the engine detailer is Autozone. It's usually back by the engine degreasers not with the usual cleaning/detailing supplies. The can is chrome with black top and has what looks like a Lamborghini engine on it or something.
ok i tried autozone and they say it got recalled.i also tried some small local shops and nothing.looks like ill have to order it from the web
I use grease lightning, and then hose it down on low pressure. then use a blow gun to dry it. then followed up with a water base dressing for vinal.
Lol you guys are going to think I'm nuts.
But I use black magic tire shine. I spray the rag, wipe the rag together and then wipe everything.
I do it about once every two months. In between I just wipe it with armor all GLASS wipes. Glass wipes are good for cleaning everything. Otherwise, yes, Armor All SUCKS!
Glass wipes are very handy though.
Car is always spotless.
if your tryng to use up the left over armor all then yes other then that why would you ever consider using armor all on anything
I hate armor all. But, I had a friend once with some armor all glass wipes and a can of soda exploded all over my door panel. Since then I've been glued to them.
Better than any other glass wipe I've used.
Their protectant products, however... gross. Dust collector. De-moistureizer. Sun attracter. Temerature amplifier. Glare creator. WORTHLESS.
never really tried the glass wipes..what do u use them on?
Edit: accidentally posted twice :/
My car.. The whole thing.
Quick mess cleanups on: Moulding, plastics, windows, dash, door panels, guages, seats, exhaust tips, bird crap, wheels, mirrors, everything under the hood. Gets rid of one or two water spots if the shammey sp? didn't quite cover everything. (car's black)
I spray windex prior to cleaning off birk crap though, so it saturates it. Then I wipe it with about five glass wipes gently so I don't scratch the clear. Streak free. Bird crap has chemicals that eat through clear coat, so if I come out of the store and an obvious bird just flew by I will pop the trunk and pull out the glass wipes and windex.
The only thing I don't use it on, is on my wiper lever. The very top layer of white lettering started to streak the first time I ran over it, I haven't had that problem on anything else though.
They only work good for maintaining a clean car, not for initally cleaning a gunky mess. They do penetrate through dirt though. Very convenient, if used often enough. I'm pretty meticulous. :)
Tried the SG and CD2 and BAM!!!!!, That sucker looks real nice! Went with a 1:2 SG/H2O mixture and sprayed off after 5 minutes. Temperatures were in the high 60's/low 70's so everything took a little longer to dry between rinsings of water and applications of CD2. Looks awesome, though!
To help speed up drying process a leaf blower can be used to blow excess water off. Seems to work well.
Best way to clean engine, pay the wife to wipe it down with non abrasive degreaser, and then spray cd2 all over and wipe off any overspray. Open beer and tell wife she did a fine job, make sure you bring a beer out for her too.There you go clean as a whistle.
Anyone know where else I can find cd2 other than auto zone? they haven't stocked it by me for a few months now.
i have yet to find a store that stocks it.most stores recalled it for some strange reason.i bought mine online.try here.http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=...ine%20detailer..Quote:
Originally Posted by joels1bird
or here.
http://www.midwayautosupply.com/deta...ption.asp?4618
Simple Green Max.
I've found that most engine cleaner sprays are crap. They wreak like hell, damage plastics, and leave residue behind.
Simple Green works great. Just spray it on, let it soak, scrub the heavy stuff with a brush, and then rinse.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 01 Bolt
Lol!:notworthy: Leaf blower! It's what I used last week. It's amazing a car with 37,000 miles on it, and how crappy it was under the hood. Some of you I take it never did some chemistry in school. If you leave somthing of a corrosive other than a acid with a ph higher than normal. You just don't let the SG sleep on your engine over night, like The Air Force did on there planes. Your engine that has alloys on it won't melt! Or I need to be specific corrode.
Toothbrush power!
http://www.adamspolishes.com/videos/cleaning_motor.cfm
nuff said. hmm well i'll be... they made a new video.. it use to be a harley truck and they used simple green to clean the bay... i guess he made his own version of SG to sell
more at
http://www.adamspolishes.com/videos/
Well my car sits in the garage and barely gets out, it's a 2000 WS6 and I kjust turned 35,000 on it.I use a soapy wash cloth and then go back over it with a dry one, i also use a tooth brush, and a paint brush.......
im confused, its safe to take a hose to the engine bay? That just cant be lol
I just pay to have my car detailed once a year and go the same shop every 3 months to have it waxed.
its easier! 100 bucks annually and 30 bucks every 3 months.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sweet Lou
That is half of the fun; detailing your car not only makes you more proud of it, it gives you notification of flaws or damage that need to be taken care of. You gotta get dirty to keep it clean.
:true:Quote:
Originally Posted by jmhvenom
CD2 engine detailer and a rag= flawless
I just use dawn and a wash mit....
I used Black Magic, seemed to work fairly well. I used the Castrol stuff someone suggested, cleaned really well but i think it messed up the paint on the strut towers. Got a lot of that shit in there and a bunch of water in there I was a little worried. Ran fine after though.
An professional auto detailer friend of mine recommended a product he calls, "shine". I am not sure who makes this, but he said it is the only thing to use for interiors and won't harm your car like Armorall.
Is cd 2 an airsol or applied by a pad/towel?
So after some searching I found the best thing out there. It called "Girlfriend" :slapboobies: and can you find them at the beach. A little on the pricey side but well worth it.:woot2:
I just ordered the cd2 off of amazon. Lately, i've been using SG hosing it off then using meguires tire shine on everything, then the hard to reach areas gets wd40. no complaints so I hope this is better.
What works AWSOME is K&N air filter cleaner. NO stinky fumes for weeks after and DOESN'T leave any film behind. We have used it for years now. Here is the part # 99-0621.
Too keep mine looking new this is what I do about every 6 months.
Remember to do this when your engine is cool.
I cover some of the electronics with aluminum foil to keep them dry. Usually just cover the PCM and coils.
Using a selectable spray nozzle, I put it on drizzle/shower for a low pressure rinse. Rinse the entire engine bay getting it initially wet and helping to loosen any dirt. Then use a 50/50 mixture of Simple Green in a spray bottle and spray the entire engine bay with that. Let soak for 5 minutes. Then use a brush (toilet brush works great) to loosen the dirt in hard to reach areas and all around the engine bay. Rinse the engine bay fully with water on the same setting as before. If your engine bay is really dirty you may want to repeat that procedure a few times to get it real clean.
Once you are to the point you think it is clean enough use a towel to soak up any collected puddles of water and then leave the hood open to air dry for 30 minutes. Go back and towel dry any areas that might still be wet.
If you want your black wire loom/hoses/intake to look nice and black. Spray on some Eagle One Nano Protectant and let sit for a minute then wipe dry.
If you want to skip the Nano Protectantl, then the best way to get your hoses black and nice again is to use a cleaner wax on them. Just follow the directions of the cleaner wax.
Unless they have changed the formula I ruined a upper intake on my first 5.0 back in 91 by spraying it with SimpleGreen. It discolored the alum. and made it a cloudy dark gray color.
Just thought I'd share my experiance with ya all. Maybe read the back and see if it still has the warning about not using on alum. cause after I did it I read the label........:ahh:
Who needs instructions........Right.......:xfingers:
i go to the car wash, put it on tire cleaner and lightly spray everything. the only thing i mess us is my freakin parking and fog lamp on driver side get water in them and break the damn bulbs. but then i let the steam clean all the built up gunk, and then the spotless rince to get the green stuff off. my shop vac doubles as a blower, thats how i dry everything. works like a charm and is damn clean.
I've never seen Simple Green ruin cast aluminum...Quote:
Originally Posted by LS2Tuner
I man you can spray the stuff on your hand and it does nothing...how is it going to ruin metal :think:
Perhaps it just needed to be polished up with come metal polish.
do they even make stainless steel headers? or they just too damn heavy?
It turned it a dark cloudy gray!! Our hands and alumminum are a little different I think.:think:Quote:
Originally Posted by Wesman
I use th cd2 and after it dries it isn't shinny anymore. I clean everything, let it dry apply cd2 let it breath for a few min, and take it for a ride to "set" it, am I missing something? Instead I have been using tire shine on the hoses and intake and I am very impressed.Quote:
Originally Posted by doc212121
Hey Guys.....Im new to this site and enjoy learning and reading about everyones do's and donts...it is great. Just wanted to add one thing to you list of cleaning supllies.......I can tell you one product that will cost you less than $3 a can.....and you will be thinking me everday I told you about it. A very good friend of mine has owned and operated a professional detailing business for over 20yrs and this product is truley awesome. You can clean almost every inch of your car with it........Kickpanels, dorr sills, any plasic trim or rubberm, hoses, chrome especially, and windows easily. You will never buy another bottle of Windex...EVER!!!! Even when you go out on an evening cruise and get bugs all over your front end.....then next day spray this on and walk away.......come back in 5min....wash mit and soap or wet rag and bug wipe off easily!!! The reason im sharing this is i have learned a lot from you guys and want to make things much easier for you as well. My friend call this the can of "chrome"!!!!! I have seen them use it for years.....but it was just a chome can and we wouldnt ever tell me what the heck it was until recently....:) Its called "Sprayaway" Blue label on a chrome can......really made for windows.......but can be used every where else and even harmfull to paint and clear. The is the SHIT......is swear guys.....you will be thanking me!!!! You can even get it at walmart over by the windex and cleaning supplies....The blue label peels right off and presto.......carry it with you to your next car show and you will have guys begging you to tell them what it is.
Just thought some of you might have never heard of this and wanted to share.
Thanks, Travis
Welcome to the site Travis the only thing I can say about that cleaner is most "glass" cleaners when sprayed on paint will strip the wax or glaze off. I'm not familiar with the produst your talking about but I will check it out.Quote:
Originally Posted by nytmare4me
welcome nyte. im pretty new myself. mod on, and good luck.
stp son of a gun works great for me ......no water
:zoom: Guys you will love this stuff......I will tell you that I try not to get it on the paint...but when I have it doesent hurt or at least I can tell it does and my friend has been using it for years.
Thanks for the welcome and hope you guys try it
Thanks,Travis
That is GOD DAMN HILARIOUS seeing as my entire time in the Marines we were patch deep in Simple Green cut 2 SG to 1 Water. We cleaned everything with it. I don't put it in my engine though cause I get sick of my hands burning from it.:denied:Quote:
Originally Posted by 99Z28 1LE
i have some super clean degreaser in the purple bottle from walmart, it is really strong, works really good on other things. do you guys think it would be ok to use it in the engine bay. how would you recommend the dilution? thanks
I think what has happened here is some people get the concentrated simple green. there is also the stuff already cut ready to use. The concentrate WILL burn your hand. Personal experience. I don't use the store bought stuff cause I learned to hate it in the marines. spraying concentrate on an engine is probably not so good.Quote:
Originally Posted by LS2Tuner
and what the hell happened to this thread. I thought this was about how to clean an engine bay, not the pros and cons of that cheap crap?
TRUE THAT!!!:happy:Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptransam
this stuff cleans it all $5 a gallon
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...8/IMGP0963.jpg
Quote-----"this stuff cleans it all $5 a gallon"
Yea it does.....Castrol Super Clean is another for about the same price. Both work real well...
Tip.........Never spray either of these's on dry paint or metal. Always dampen with water alittle first. Can leave some nasty stains if you don't........
I had a 2000 Ford Expy and hung out at the FTW forum (Ford Truck World) and everyone there cleaned their engine bay this way:
Let engine bay cool down, if your afraid to hurt something cover it with foil or plastic wrap. If your engine is really greasy use GUNK EB1, allow to soak, then rinse w/low pressure h20, if its still a lil dirty but not too bad or you need to do a light cleaning, go to wal-mart and buy the WM brand bathroom cleaner in the green can, its just like scrubbing bubbles mentioned a few pages back, spray on, let sit for 5 minutes but don't let dry, rinse down with LOW pressure water, air hose dry or leaf blower or wait until dry, then detail any way you like, cheap, works good, smells good too. Kind of like my 1st wife.... ;P
Quote:
Originally Posted by 99'CajunFirehawk157
LOL ........But you still have the car.........:notworthy: