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      01-22-2014, 05:21 PM   #1
Desmond Is My Constant
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What do you use to clean your engine bay?

My engine bay is a mess, I'd like to clean it, or more so "detail" it (talking about a few hours). I just dont know what I should use as some of the dirt looks like won't get off unless I use a strong abrasive.
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      01-22-2014, 05:27 PM   #2
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      01-22-2014, 05:27 PM   #3
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I spray everything down w/ WD40 and wipe everything clean. Engine bay looks like it's brand new and car is 5 years old
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      01-22-2014, 06:01 PM   #4
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Thanks guys, I think either of these will do just fine.
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      01-22-2014, 09:14 PM   #5
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Any all purpose cleaner. Check out optimum power clean...amazing product
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      01-22-2014, 09:18 PM   #6
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Adams all purpose cleaner and combo of Adams In and Out spray and aerospace 303 protectant.
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      01-22-2014, 11:22 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by s85e90 View Post
I spray everything down w/ WD40 and wipe everything clean. Engine bay looks like it's brand new and car is 5 years old
I've never heard this one. Seems like it would be making more of a mess than you started with.
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      01-23-2014, 02:40 AM   #8
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      01-23-2014, 01:05 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD View Post
I've never heard this one. Seems like it would be making more of a mess than you started with.

not at all. It displaces water (hence WD) and leaves everything looking like brand new.


My car has almost 50k and literally looks like it could be brand new under the hood.

Some say it's not good for PURE rubber parts, but I've been using it for probaly 10 years on all my cars and they all look amazing.

It does tend to attract a little more dust at times due to being a film; but I clean my car religuously so it doesn't seem to matter
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      01-23-2014, 01:08 PM   #10
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Isn't it flammable as well?
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      01-23-2014, 01:09 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by s85e90 View Post
I spray everything down w/ WD40 and wipe everything clean. Engine bay looks like it's brand new and car is 5 years old
I would not do this. WD40 is a lubricant, not a dressing or a cleaner. It will just leave everything greasy and wet looking under the hood.
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      01-23-2014, 01:12 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Z K View Post
I would not do this. WD40 is a lubricant, not a dressing or a cleaner. It will just leave everything greasy and wet looking under the hood.

do you know from experience? It is a cleaner also


As I said I been using it for many, many years, and you must spray and wipe it off.

Most actually evaporates due to its chemical composition leaving a little film (the mineral spirits/oil) behind.

Works very, very well. Sure they make other products also, but this is def a good one for this purpose.



edit: from WD 40 site: cleans and protects engine bay
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      01-23-2014, 01:37 PM   #13
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I lubricate my knees and junk with it, I'm old.
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      01-23-2014, 01:53 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD View Post
Isn't it flammable as well?
sure, I'm not spraying it on hot headers though.

Most chemicals you're using are flammable.

Including oil and gas
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      01-23-2014, 02:15 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by s85e90 View Post
sure, I'm not spraying it on hot headers though.

Most chemicals you're using are flammable.

Including oil and gas
Correct, but I don't intentionally put them on the exterior of the engine. Oil and gas I mean. Flame suit on.
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      01-23-2014, 02:23 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by Mr Sparkle View Post
Would you recommend EVOO? or a blend should be okay?
Would this keep my rotors looking shiny?
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      01-23-2014, 02:24 PM   #17
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Let's just get back to using peanut butter on trim and toothpaste on headlights. Life was so much easier back then
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      01-23-2014, 02:41 PM   #18
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Typical M3post: OP ask question, gets few answers, and then lots of useless post criticizing others and/or crappy attempts at humor.

I kind of picture most users here as in office jobs snickering at their own jokes as they type them
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      01-23-2014, 02:50 PM   #19
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nutter butter or the newer lower viscosity speculoos?
i'm talking jiff smooth as a baby's bottom type. none of that skippy's chunky shit
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      01-23-2014, 02:55 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by s85e90 View Post
Typical M3post: OP ask question, gets few answers, and then lots of useless post criticizing others and/or crappy attempts at humor.

I kind of picture most users here as in office jobs snickering at their own jokes as they type them
im sitting at home. don't get your jimmies rustled. this is normal as the generation dies out
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      01-23-2014, 06:16 PM   #21
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Here is a engine detail post I made while back when I owned TTRS. Main points are wash (spray with APC, agitate and rinse) not too much water light fan spray do not drown engine. Need to blow dry to avoid water spots IMHO or use CR Spotless or both. If you leave water and drive you will gets spots. Dress any areas you wish with dressing of choice. HydrO2 is nano protectant activated by water and is not required.

Washed underside of hood and engine with APC and rinsed. Sprayed underside of hood and engine bay with HydrO2 and rinsed with CR Spotless. Blow dry with Metro Blaster. Applied PERL to few areas. Quick easy way to protect under hood less than one hour start to finish.



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      01-23-2014, 06:49 PM   #22
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i use a citrus degreaser....

with the engine running, I thoroughly spray/soak the engine bay then shut the hood for ~5 minutes to let the temperature increase and allow dirt to become agitated...

then I shoot engine bay with a high pressure jet stream (garden hose or pressure washer will do)

keep in mind that the engine should be running at all times during this process

I did this on my E46 M3 all the time with ZERO issues....quick and easy
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