Theo's DIY Guide to Detailing Engine Bay

[Takumi587]

Today was my annual engine bay detail for my E46 M3 (05) so I decided to help others out there who would want to do the same. My car is going to be about 6 years old (original owner) and in my honest opinion just by cleaning the engine bay once a year it will keep it looking in top shape. The steps are pretty much the same for any engine bay. Here is an easy step by step process of how to detail your engine bay:

Supplies needed:
Detailing Brush/ toothbrush (Best to get into the tight spots with dirt)
Engine bay Degreaser/Wash
Gloves
30 to 50 minutes of time



IMPORTANT before the detailing:
Cover up any electrical wiring with a MF towel
Make sure you have shade and cool temperatures to work with
Make sure the engine is cool enough to touch






1. Wash down the engine with a light to moderate mist of water from the hose
2. Follow up by spraying your engine degreaser or what have you. NOTE: some degreasers require you to dilute w/ water so be sure you have the appropriate balance of your solution.
3. Wait approximately one minute so that the solution can dig into the dirt/grease
4. Then, agitate the dirt with your detailing brush or toothbrush for maximum results.



5. After scrubbing the majority of the engine hose it down and then remove all MF towels or painters tape protecting the electrical.
6. Immediately start the engine and wipe down the engine bay with preferably an MF towel. NOTE: This step is the most important, especially if you do not have a water filter because the water will leave dry spots if not wiped appropriately.
7. Drive the car down a block to get the rest of the water out and then wipe the engine bay again.
8. You can finish off the car by spraying an engine bay dresser like Adam's In n Out spray or CG's rubber etc finish. HOWEVER, I never use those because I like the plain clean look as you can see by my final results:


Final results:








I also did the optional step of staking out one of the engine housings to clean it inside and out:



Hope you guys learned a thing or two on how to detail the engine bay! If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

[starkraven]

Nice job! 6-years-old? Doesn't look a day over 1.

[signes]

Nice work. Make me miss having a dipstick...

[templarklimek]

thank you, very clean.

[quality_sound]

Originally Posted by stingray23

thanks for the write up and pics. great job. I've been wanting to do this to my Z06 but am a little scared of screwing up the alternator or something else.

You're not going to hurt the car.

[skywalker562]

i really wanted to do this. but i was kinda afraid like "stingray23"
OP if you don't mind, do you have any pics where you cover your electrical wirings?
i have E93 M3.
i see lots of wires XD