www.chirpthird.com: Cleaning the engine compartment of the LE/SS

This is topic Cleaning the engine compartment of the LE/SS in forum SSOA: "Back Porch" at www.chirpthird.com.

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Posted by POFOMOCO (Member # 2193) on :

OK... The snow is all gone and the forecast is for SUN!!! [Big Grin]

I want to clean the engine compartment of the SS, and I am concerned with my complete lack of knowledge as far as the do's and dont's..

Any help?? I am assuming the best way is some diluted Simple Green, or other, and alot of elbow grease. My biggest problem is dust, not grime.

Thanks!!!

[Cool]

Pofomoco [Cool]

Posted by Travisnd1 (Member # 1982) on :

I just use water, a rag, and sometimes a coat hanger, and I'd say my SS/LE bay is pretty clean!

Then when I'm done, I Zaino everything!!

Posted by POFOMOCO (Member # 2193) on :

Thanks... Yes your engine compartment was one of the first C3 posts I viewed when I signed up. It is very impressive!

Thanks again,

[Cool]

pofomoco

Posted by mhayman (Member # 146) on :

Simple Green and water work well especially if the engine is really dirty. I have also used CD2 Engine Detailer, available at Target, PepBoys, or any parts store. It comes with detailer spray that shines everything up but it does attract some dust, however, that easily cleans off with water and a rag.

Posted by twobratSS (Member # 2180) on :

Thanks for asking that question...I was wondering the best way to clean under there...And by-the-way, Travis...Very nice engine compartment!

Posted by twobratSS (Member # 2180) on :

After spraying with Simple Green or something like it, would it work to use the pressure washer if you make sure you don't get too close and too rough with everything, or should one just steer clear of pressure washers under the hood totally?

Posted by DanPazich (Member # 1352) on :

NO heavy pressure....especially back by the ECM and electrical parts. Just running watter shoudl work. What I usually do is spray everything with simple green, soak, and then rinse...then run engine for a while to get the hard to reach places to dry. Mine is a daily driver so I wash the engine compartment more often than most. [Smile]

Posted by cytruffle (Member # 1733) on :

Also Scrubbin' Bubbles will work, too.....just spray it on and then rinse with the hose!! [Smile]

At BG, Mr. blkragss02 showed me that, along with his sterilized surgical tools, he uses these littlebitty Swiffers to dust those hard-to-reach areas under wires & stuff..... [Wink]

Posted by 35TH ED/ed (Member # 1709) on :

Since it hasent come up.......Are their any products out that will cause the Signatures we have to come off [Confused]

Posted by cytruffle (Member # 1733) on :

quote:
Originally posted by 35TH ED/ed:
Since it hasent come up.......Are their any products out that will cause the Signatures we have to come off .

YESSSSSSS!!!!! I should have mentioned that.....Scrubbin' Bubbles and probly Simple Green will make those sigs runnnnnnnnnn.... [Frown]

Mr. Fbodfather had to do mine over when he came down for the State Fair....pssssst.....don't tell him what happened.... [Eek!]

Posted by POFOMOCO (Member # 2193) on :

Thanks all, great follow-up on the pressure hose question, as I did not mention that in the original post!

I have alot of experience with classic corvettes and shelby mustangs, but they are much more simple to work with due to limited electronics, etc.!

Thanks again!!

[Cool]

Pofomoco

Posted by Hawkeye (Member # 88) on :

quote:
Originally posted by 35TH ED/ed:
Since it hasent come up.......Are their any products out that will cause the Signatures we have to come off .

I masked them off, then shot a few layers of
high heat clear coat over the signatures - just
in case! [Big Grin]

Posted by cytruffle (Member # 1733) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Hawkeye:

quote:
Originally posted by 35TH ED/ed:
Since it hasent come up.......Are their any products out that will cause the Signatures we have to come off .
I masked them off, then shot a few layers of
high heat clear coat over the signatures - just
in case!

I have heard that clear coat will make them run....I guess you didn't have any problems with it?? [Confused]

Posted by Mike Bonte (Member # 1892) on :

Duplicolor clear coat caused one of my sigs to run when I tested it. It was signed with a paint pen.

I understand that Simple Green may cause surface corrosion on the bare aluminum block.

Generally, i just use water and an old rag... keeps it clean enough, but I'm not going for a highly detailed, sparkling work of art.

Posted by blkragss02 (Member # 1801) on :

quote:
Originally posted by cytruffle:
Also Scrubbin' Bubbles will work, too.....just spray it on and then rinse with the hose!!

At BG, Mr. blkragss02 showed me that, along with his sterilized surgical tools, he uses these littlebitty Swiffers to dust those hard-to-reach areas under wires & stuff.....

Hey, don't give out all the secrets

Posted by HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :

quote:
Originally posted by blkragss02:

quote:
Originally posted by cytruffle:
Also Scrubbin' Bubbles will work, too.....just spray it on and then rinse with the hose!!

At BG, Mr. blkragss02 showed me that, along with his sterilized surgical tools, he uses these littlebitty Swiffers to dust those hard-to-reach areas under wires & stuff.....
Hey, don't give out all the secrets

I just saw a bunch of those on sale at Target last night. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.........

Posted by cytruffle (Member # 1733) on :

quote:
Originally posted by blkragss02:
Hey, don't give out all the secrets

At least I didn't tell 'em WHICH surgical tools!!! LOL!! [Razz]

Posted by NATESS (Member # 982) on :

i have heard that simple green is a good cleaner. i have not heard that it is corosive to the block Hmmmmm [Confused]

.

the important thing is to not use high pressure.

in terms of the signitures, you can put the clear bra plastic stuff over them, the same stuff that many of the members here put on the front of their cars.

i also put that clear stuff on my door stickers to protect them. got the idea from Kevin. [Smile]

Posted by HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :

quote:
Originally posted by NATESS:
i also put that clear stuff on my door stickers to protect them. got the idea from Kevin.

Yeah, but RagSS probably has those '50's style plastic sofa covers on his furniture and plastic carpet runners throughout his house, too!

(we love ya, Kevin)

Posted by NATESS (Member # 982) on :

quote:
Originally posted by HTWLSS:

quote:
Originally posted by NATESS:
i also put that clear stuff on my door stickers to protect them. got the idea from Kevin.
Yeah, but RagSS probably has those '50's style plastic sofa covers on his furniture and plastic carpet runners throughout his house, too!

(we love ya, Kevin)

he is like the wife of the show "everybody loves raymond". where she does not let any one eat on the couch and has a cover over it. [Razz]

[ 21. January 2004, 06:03 PM: Message edited by: NATESS ]

Posted by cytruffle (Member # 1733) on :

quote:
Originally posted by NATESS:

quote:
Originally posted by HTWLSS:

quote:
Originally posted by NATESS:
i also put that clear stuff on my door stickers to protect them. got the idea from Kevin.
Yeah, but RagSS probably has those '50's style plastic sofa covers on his furniture and plastic carpet runners throughout his house, too!

(we love ya, Kevin)
he is like the wife of the show "everybody loves raymond". where she does not let any one eat on the couch and has a cover over it.

.....to continue with the "Let's Bust on Kevin" hijack.....didn't I see some sort of covers on the seats ....and maybe even floorboard....of his car at Bowling Green?? Right, Ms. HTWLSS?? [Wink]

Posted by HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :

quote:
Originally posted by cytruffle:

quote:
Originally posted by NATESS:

quote:
Originally posted by HTWLSS:

quote:
Originally posted by NATESS:
i also put that clear stuff on my door stickers to protect them. got the idea from Kevin.
Yeah, but RagSS probably has those '50's style plastic sofa covers on his furniture and plastic carpet runners throughout his house, too!

(we love ya, Kevin)
he is like the wife of the show "everybody loves raymond". where she does not let any one eat on the couch and has a cover over it.
.....to continue with the "Let's Bust on Kevin" hijack.....didn't I see some sort of covers on the seats ....and maybe even floorboard....of his car at Bowling Green?? Right, Ms. HTWLSS??

You mean the towels everywhere? That's how he got the nickname RagSS!

Posted by DanPazich (Member # 1352) on :

Hmmm, maybe I dind't look hard enough at the car show in Carlisle.... *scratches head* nope, don'ts remember any covers or ragss [Razz]

Posted by RagSS (Member # 1127) on :

...Hmmm, you should have known I'd be reading a post, ...that started with the word CLEANING! [Big Grin]

Ahhh, how refreshing to be among friends [Razz]

...Come on, ...I'm not that bad ...

............am I ? [Big Grin]

...and, yes (as Nate mentioned) use the 3M prostripe over the signatures (and door stickers), ...works great [Wink]

(while you're at it, ...put it over your fuse box labels as well)

...Yes, there are towels on the seats and floormats (and console, rear seats, carpet... [Big Grin]

, j/k, ...a little bit) ...but no I don't use that 70-ish plastic stuff on my sofa [Wink]

Hmmmm, ... "Swifter Dusters" ...

By the way, Travisnd1's engine compartment looks great [Smile]

[ 22. January 2004, 06:33 AM: Message edited by: RagSS ]

Posted by POFOMOCO (Member # 2193) on :

I've heard about the corrosion also, but I've heard you are not supposed to use 100% full strength, but a diluted amount...

I think I will just use water, rag, and a little time!!

Thanks - [Cool]

Pofomoco

Posted by Travisnd1 (Member # 1982) on :

quote:
Originally posted by POFOMOCO:

I think I will just use water, rag, and a little time!!

That works better than anything else!

Posted by el ess1 (Member # 1544) on :

I've used Simple Green/water at a 50/50 mix with excellent results and no corrosion noticable. I just do the engine that way though. The fenderwells I use just a water rinse and a rag to keep the signature intact. I do like the idea of the clear 3M stuff, however.

Posted by mhayman (Member # 146) on :

As far as I know, the Simple Green corrosiveness is more myth than fact. While Simple Green has an alkalinity about equal to salt water, as long as you are careful and completely rinse it off it can be used many many times without any problems. Many people can attest to that.

I actually tried to find out how corrosive Simple Green is a few months ago. I took a strip of of aluminum and sprayed the heck out of it with Simple Green. I let it sit to dry without rinsing it off. I did this for 3 days. The block is still sitting in the garage, and has NO corrosion. That was a good enough test for me.

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