posted
I may take my 35th to a small local car show in a few weeks... never done this before. Don't really know how to clean under the hood. Just routine dirt there... do I wash it like I do the exterior? Any ideas would help... thanks!
Posts: 34 | From: Haslett, MI | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
I don't know about the rest of the group, but I have always just washed the engine compartment with regular car wash starting with the underside of the hood and working my way down. I use a different sponge or mitt than the exterior, of course. Then, after rinsing it off (no high pressure nozzle), I use my air compressor to help dry off the areas that would be hard to get to with a towel. Been doing it this way since I started taking my '95 Impala SS to car shows several years ago. I got a few trophies when I had that car so I guess it worked.
-------------------- SSteve Wiltsie SSOA Member M02-3311 2002 35th Anniversary SS LE Conv. Stock except for: K&N filter; tinted windows; Mark's caliper decals 2003 100th Anniversary H-D V-Rod Life... This is NOT a drill Posts: 192 | From: Evansville, IN | Registered: Dec 2001
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quote:Originally posted by SSteve_35th: I don't know about the rest of the group, but I have always just washed the engine compartment with regular car wash starting with the underside of the hood and working my way down. I use a different sponge or mitt than the exterior, of course. Then, after rinsing it off (no high pressure nozzle), I use my air compressor to help dry off the areas that would be hard to get to with a towel. Been doing it this way since I started taking my '95 Impala SS to car shows several years ago. I got a few trophies when I had that car so I guess it worked.
posted
Yea, pretty much the same here also except two things. I use simple green to get the heavier grime. I spry on the Simple Green and then use a tooth brush to get the hard to get at places. Then I use an easy spray to rinse it all off. I avoid the PCM as much as possible and I use a leaf blower to dry it off.
Posts: 5946 | From: Litchfield, NH, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
As a rule, every time we wash our SS we dry the inside edges of the trunk & hood with a small towel. It ends up damp enough to do a once over under the engine compartment and give everything a wipe down. That keeps the build-up from happening, so when it's time to detail it for a show, it's not such a daunting task.
(Yes, Steve...I know our SS is sitting in the garage, unwashed since our last weekend excursions. Don't worry.....I'll wash it when the rain stops.)
posted
Ditto DanA. Simple Green works great. Wet down the area to be cleaned, spray it on, wait, then rinse off. Posts: 5558 | From: Windsor, Ontario. Canada | Registered: Feb 2000
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Joey Red
You want me to take care of these guys for you?
Member # 550
posted
I don't soaked the engine down at all. I simply just don't let it get dirty. I'll usually just dust it off and hit some small grimy spots with simple green. I also put on a pair of rubber gloves so I wedge my hand into those tight areas of the engine bay without cutting them.
[ 19 June 2002: Message edited by: Joey Red ]
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Joe Tuccillo 2000 "Camara" SS#6172-Concetta- Bright(Guinea,Tomato)Rally Red, "Fbodfadda" Horn known as "Da Horn", T-Tops, M6,Hurst Shifter,Lou's Short Stick, Ebony Leather, ASR, Bilstein, SS Grille, Whisper Lid w/K&N, Tbyrne MAF ends 12 Disc Changer, CD in dash, Auburn rear,BMR STB, SLP Bolt-on SFC's(welded), SLP Y-Pipe & Loudmouth (YEEEAAH BABY!!!) BMR Adj Torque Arm, Sphon Adj Control Arms and Panhard rod Car Cover, Dash plaque, Key Fobs, SS Floor Mats, SLP Rear Deck Mat SLP skip shift eliminator, Zaino,Valentine 1 Smokey Seeker, Mike C FRC's, Painted Calipers,Performance Friction Pads, SS Centercaps,Mallory Billet Pedals Member SSOA, NASA Posts: 1413 | From: Wappingers Falls,NY | Registered: Jun 2000
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posted
Jeffy says to use Simple Green, and that's good enough for me.
Posts: 97 | From: Cottage Grove, MN 55016 USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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quote:Originally posted by Joey Red: I don't soaked the engine down at all. I simply just don't let it get dirty. I'll usually just dust it off and hit some small grimy spots with simple green. I also put on a pair of rubber gloves so I wedge my hand into those tight areas of the engine bay without cutting them.
[ 19 June 2002: Message edited by: Joey Red ]
What else do you do with the rubber gloves?
Posts: 5946 | From: Litchfield, NH, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
Alright, I've never cleaned the engine bay of my SS, so it's about time. I'm concerned with the recent bulletin that came out about the wiring that could be damaged if it gets wet. Can you avoid that when spraying the engine compartment with a hose? It doesn't seem likely. What other alternatives do I have?
Posts: 1907 | From: I hope I'm not repeating myself. Again. And Again. Stop picking on me! Waaahhh!! | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
Just don't spray it. Take the end off the house and put in on very low pressure and only wet where you have to. I only use the Simple Green and water a few times a year. Maybe when I am going to be in a show. Otherwise I keep it clean like others. When I wash the car, I dry around the edges and then use the damp towels to wipe everything off. Since I stopped driving in the rain and snow, the engine bay stays pretty clean anyway.
Posts: 5946 | From: Litchfield, NH, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
I had an idea last weekend. A person could use a pair of cotton gloves, like the ones fruit packers wear, to get into the nooks and crannies of the car, for washing, drying, detailing, & applying product (vinyl dressing, etc...). They could be worn over a pair of latex gloves to protect the skin, and be useful for getting into tight spaces. Whaddaya think?
Posts: 7198 | From: Near Portland, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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Joey Red
You want me to take care of these guys for you?
Member # 550
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