Best product for cleaning engine compartment
#1635608
06/19/14 02:19 PM
06/19/14 02:19 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 730
Nampa, ID
MadMatt
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 730
Nampa, ID
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Wondering what your favorite product is for general cleaning in the engine compartment. Just need to clean the surface grease and oil buildup off the engine, aprons, etc.
Some see the glass as half empty, some see the glass as half full. I just drink straight out of the bottle.
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Re: Best product for cleaning engine compartment
[Re: MadMatt]
#1635614
06/19/14 03:12 PM
06/19/14 03:12 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 323
Endicott, NY, USA
crazyjjk
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 323
Endicott, NY, USA
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Quote:
Quote:
I like simple green.
Actually, I used to use Simple Green foaming barbecue cleaner, but I can't seem to find the stuff anymore.
Seen it at Lowes the other day.
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Re: Best product for cleaning engine compartment
[Re: crazyjjk]
#1635615
06/19/14 06:10 PM
06/19/14 06:10 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 848
Avondale AZ
Prodart440
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 848
Avondale AZ
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The guy that detailed my car said he uses Pledge.
Aaron
68 Roadrunner 383/AT
69 Dart GT Conv. 383/AT
05 Dodge Ram 4x4 Cummins
06 GoManGo R/T Daytona #757
68 Coronet 440
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Re: Best product for cleaning engine compartment
[Re: MI_Custumz]
#1635617
06/19/14 07:05 PM
06/19/14 07:05 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Quote:
Would you spray the engine down with the cleaner and rinse it off while the car is running? Is there any areas to avoid getting cleaner/water on? Never really cleaned an engine compartment before at the car wash.
I used to be really obsessed with cleaning my motors at the car wash. Did it many times to a few different cars. I used to let my motor run also during the cleaning and hope it don't stall. If it did it was always water under the cap. There really isn't much under the hood to hurt IMO. Drying them is important, nice drive home from car wash usually worked. A nice blow with a air hose would be good down at the bulkhead connector.
To dissolve grease and grime, gasoline works pretty dang good, before the car wash used it many times also.
Now I have kick butt heated steam pressure washer that will remove grease and grime with no chemicals and I hardly use it on my motors now.
I use it all the time, the pressure washer, not not on my engine compartments lately. 
Now that were talking about it, maybe a before and after picture session? With lot's and lot's of pictures!!  
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Re: Best product for cleaning engine compartment
[Re: roe]
#1635619
06/19/14 07:22 PM
06/19/14 07:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,257
fredericksburg,va
cudaman1969
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,257
fredericksburg,va
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The best was commercial white wall cleaner, next is most of the purple cleaners. All these types have to go on dry, brush and keep wet then rinse with hp sprayer. If you missed a spot let it dry then repeat. They are good wax stripers on paint also, all the pinesap, buggs, chemicals, dirt that accumilate over the years will come off easy then rewax.
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Re: Best product for cleaning engine compartment
[Re: 71yelladustr]
#1635621
06/20/14 09:51 AM
06/20/14 09:51 AM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,520
West Palm Beach, Florida
Copper Dart
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,520
West Palm Beach, Florida
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There is nothing more difficult than detailing a Chromed Out Harley IMO! For a show car underhood I recommend Cycle Wash followed by a electric leaf blower etc. Cycle Wash is just Amaizing stuff! If you are cleaning a daily driver then the Simple Green/White Wall cleaners types work very well. I just don't like the wax stripping they do. It's pretty strong stuff and I wouldn't like to get it on my paint. Newer cars, ONLY when cold. Older cars, warm seems to work best and yes, water in the distributor can be a bother.  I don't worry about the starter, carburetor, wiper motor or the alternator, wash away! 
Common sense, the least common of all the senses.
Mom.
For fear of ridicule, society stifles creativity.
Ricky Valdes
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Re: Best product for cleaning engine compartment
[Re: MadMatt]
#1635622
06/20/14 07:50 PM
06/20/14 07:50 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,272
Northern Calyfornua
Sxrxrnr
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,272
Northern Calyfornua
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One of my favorite all time tools. http://www.crspotless.comWash my wife's SUV, no problem as no drying required. Same for my driver car, my motorcycles, auto engines,,,,,,and best of all for washing windows of the house,,,,no squeegee required. Even in hot sun no drying required and with no spotting. Wash anything as usual with regular tap water, and rinse with deionized water. Put it on your Xmas wish list.
Last edited by Sxrxrnr; 06/20/14 07:54 PM.
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Re: Best product for cleaning engine compartment
[Re: stumpy]
#1635623
06/20/14 09:11 PM
06/20/14 09:11 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,664
IN
ahy
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,664
IN
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Quote:
I like simple green.
Me too. A little paint thinner and a tooth brush is a good way to pre-treat any nasty spots.
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Re: Best product for cleaning engine compartment
[Re: skicker]
#1635624
06/30/14 01:35 AM
06/30/14 01:35 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,881
Pittsburgh,PA
RTSrunner
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,881
Pittsburgh,PA
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Quote:
I pull into the car wash with the engine hot and spray WD-40 over everything I want to clean and then wash it off. Don't tell anybody...  
I wouldn't recommend the WD-40 wash if your reason for cleaning is to paint the engine/compartment!
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