Engine detailing
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MOWellsinVA
- Posts: 257
- Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 8:09 pm
- Car: 2007 Infiniti M45 Sport (Obsidian Black w/ Graphite interior)
- Location: Henrico, VA
Engine detailing
My M45's looking fairly grimy under the hood. I want to use some degreaser and clean it up, but I'm not sure what all needs to be protected from the water spray. Is there anything in there that should be masked off with say, a plastic bag?
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Ilya
- Moderator
- Posts: 9205
- Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 11:20 pm
- Car: 2011 M56x but I spend a lot of time on my 2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S. Former owner of a 2007 M35x. Also take care of my wife's 2016 QX60.
- Location: Charlotte, NC
- Contact:
Re: Engine detailing
I just taped off the filters but mine are exposed. If yours is closed in the stock box, just do the following:
1) Mist engine bay to get it moist
2) Spray purple power (diluted!)
3) Let sit
4) Agitate with soft brush
5) Rinse off
Here's a before and after of my car:
1) Mist engine bay to get it moist
2) Spray purple power (diluted!)
3) Let sit
4) Agitate with soft brush
5) Rinse off
Here's a before and after of my car:
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MOWellsinVA
- Posts: 257
- Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 8:09 pm
- Car: 2007 Infiniti M45 Sport (Obsidian Black w/ Graphite interior)
- Location: Henrico, VA
Re: Engine detailing
That's what I'm talkin' about! A clean engine is a happy engine!
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Larz
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Re: Engine detailing
Great job, Ilya!
I do the exact same. The battery and filters are already protected so no need to worry there. Just as Ilya does, gently spray to make the surfaces wet, then add the cleaner (I use Griot's because it has no horrible odor). Then get different size brushes to get into the nooks and cranny's to agitate the cleaner. Do NOT use the hose on jet or harsh setting when rinsing. The higher the pressure, the more risk of trouble. Then I get some cheap microfiber towels from the parts store, dry the area off and wipe the places that still look dirty. Then I dress it with Griot's engine detailer. Looks clean and shiny and ready to eat off of, LOL. You can see the pics in my sig - look at the 2007 album.
I do the exact same. The battery and filters are already protected so no need to worry there. Just as Ilya does, gently spray to make the surfaces wet, then add the cleaner (I use Griot's because it has no horrible odor). Then get different size brushes to get into the nooks and cranny's to agitate the cleaner. Do NOT use the hose on jet or harsh setting when rinsing. The higher the pressure, the more risk of trouble. Then I get some cheap microfiber towels from the parts store, dry the area off and wipe the places that still look dirty. Then I dress it with Griot's engine detailer. Looks clean and shiny and ready to eat off of, LOL. You can see the pics in my sig - look at the 2007 album.
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MOWellsinVA
- Posts: 257
- Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 8:09 pm
- Car: 2007 Infiniti M45 Sport (Obsidian Black w/ Graphite interior)
- Location: Henrico, VA
Re: Engine detailing
Good advice, Larz. I'll check out the Griot's products. I've been trying to find some brushes that would be appropriate for the task.
Re: Engine detailing
Looking good up there Ilya. The first picture wasn't really bad, but the second one definitely could substitute a dinner plate.
Since I keep under-hood mods to a minimum, I don't have to cover or bag anything. I typically just use the first setting of the pressure washer or sometimes I pull the trigger and stand a little further away. It works well enough, but a set of brushes might bring it to the next level.
Nissans actually use a lot of water resistant connectors under the hood, so as long as you're not force feeding any water there, there's not much to worry about.
Do you guys do this at home with the engine cold, or at a car wash with the engine as hot as possible? I usually try to find the shortest and fastest route to the facility and try to squeeze in as many tasks as I can to allow the engine to cool down before an engine wash.
Since I keep under-hood mods to a minimum, I don't have to cover or bag anything. I typically just use the first setting of the pressure washer or sometimes I pull the trigger and stand a little further away. It works well enough, but a set of brushes might bring it to the next level.
Nissans actually use a lot of water resistant connectors under the hood, so as long as you're not force feeding any water there, there's not much to worry about.
Do you guys do this at home with the engine cold, or at a car wash with the engine as hot as possible? I usually try to find the shortest and fastest route to the facility and try to squeeze in as many tasks as I can to allow the engine to cool down before an engine wash.