Engine Detailing "Tricks"?

[lakeholme]

Sdkar, thanks for the information.

Dave, thanks for the clarification... When I need points with the wife, it usually involves a new car, not just a wash.   

Daniel, I have used Back to Black. A little goes a long way. Yes, no residue.

I'm still looking for opinions on spray on engine dressing. 

[lakeholme]

How about engine bay dressings like Sonus or Griots? Anyone use those?

[lakeholme]

Most of the brushes mentioned in this thread are hard bristle. I've started using a soft bristle wheel brush, which does not scratch surfaces or undo connections.

I'm still looking for opinions for best engine dressing...
Any help or input is appreciated.

[mickeystoys69RSSS]

Here is what I use on my cars:


Front Compartment/Engine Bay
Meguairs All Purpose Cleaner
Various Brushes
Zaino All In One On All Painted Surfaces
Meguiars HyperDressing On All Hoses and Plastic Surfaces

[lakeholme]

Beautiful day in NC, so I started my pre-Autofair clean up. I used Gunk Brite to clean the motor. Turtle Wax Wash, diluted, with a couple of different soft bristle brushes to clean everything but the electrical. That got wiped with a damp clean towel. So far so good.
Tonight, I'll work on the engine well shine -my original reason I started this thread. I'm using 303. It has always worked well on our boats and never gunked up or drawn dust.

Thanks to everyone for their input.

I'm planning on that getting me through till the Fall, including three shows, two tours, and as many cruise-ins as I can get to. If you don't drive it in the rain, they usually don't get that dirty.

[tmodel66]

I found a bottle or a tea glass washer with plastic handle and a foam head, like you use in the kitchen, is very good to clean in the door jambs. Fits into the door hinges and cleans pretty good. It also fits in between the fender and door when the door is open to clean the fold on the fender that you can see from inside thru the door jamb.

[lakeholme]

Is anyone familiar with an engine cleaner called Nitro?
On a tour this  weekend, the Tri-Five owners said it worked well.

[IZRSSS]

Not sure if this is appropriate for this section but I have a question concerning power buffing/polishing the hood. Do you guys do this with the hood closed or partially open. If you do it with the hood partially open (as I do) what do you use if anything to prevent splatter into the engine bay? I go through the trouble of masking off the engine bay but was hoping for an easier solution.

[tmodel66]

Marty I use old newspaper. Tear a sheet in half and tape it to the edge of the hood long ways. Push the hood down and let the paper fold out over the fenders,cowl panel and valance panel. It isolates the hood and keeps all the compound on the outside. You'll have to put some on the corners after you close the hood but you can tape it to the other paper that's already there.

[IZRSSS]

Dan- My initiation spots were the engine compartment, cowl grills (got stuff inside the grills), the suspension & bottom areas in and around the radiator. It took me days to clean that mess up. Now I watch the buffers rotation and mask off the engine compartment. But I did it all on the inside placing tape around the each of the fenders, cowl & header. I have trouble getting a good seal around the hinges. Then I drop the hood where the bolt just penetrates the catch...then I take the rest of the day off.

Your idea seems very effective and a lot quicker.

Thanks.

[lakeholme]

Marty,
Other than compound splatter, what's the advantage to leaving the hood slightly open?

[IZRSSS]

For me it's just a matter of preference. I found I had better control of the buffer with the hood partially open. Especially when approaching the edges.

[lakeholme]

I see, thanks. 

[lakeholme]

Is anyone familiar with an engine cleaner called Nitro?
On a tour this  weekend, the Tri-Five owners said it worked well.