Rims

[dantesdoom]

The stock rims are Alloy correct? I have hardened brake dust i need to get off and was wondering what you guys use. I was thinking of getting just and alloy cleaner and lightly scrub with a magic eraser or scotch-brite pad. I'm sure you all know better, so let me know. Also, im going to use simple green for the engine bay....how is this crap on the paint?

[marty1mc]

I never had a bad build-up of brake dust on my wheels, soap and water is all I ever needed. I would try a soft scrub type cleaner and a magic eraser first, then try the scotch-brite and keep it wet so it doesn't scratch.
As for the engine bay, I hope you are not planning on washing the engine? That is a very bad move. I wouldn't be as concerned about the paint as the sensors. Most lightly clean everything with a rag and cleaner by hand. There are too many horror stories of people who wash the engine bay and then can't get it to run or start.

[dantesdoom]

I never had a bad build-up of brake dust on my wheels, soap and water is all I ever needed. I would try a soft scrub type cleaner and a magic eraser first, then try the scotch-brite and keep it wet so it doesn't scratch.
As for the engine bay, I hope you are not planning on washing the engine? That is a very bad move. I wouldn't be as concerned about the paint as the sensors. Most lightly clean everything with a rag and cleaner by hand. There are too many horror stories of people who wash the engine bay and then can't get it to run or start.

I bought the car from a man who lost the engine shrouds and never believed in cleaning a damn thing. Granted the motor didnt run when i got it, but i cleaned it with purple power full strength, which can eat through a plastic bottle if left in it for some time. The motor was beautiful. Now i just want to bag the altenator and clean the bay around the motor, and put something on the plenum that i get off without water. The sides of the engine bay are cakes in about 2mm of hardened s***. As for the wheels....he never cleaned them. Thats why they look like s***.

I like to think that i helped this car because the PO must have hated it. I cleaned the windows 5 times with windex to get the film and fingerprints that had built up on them. I cleaned the seats four times before they ever looked normal, washed the motor as i mentioned above for an hour to get it even to look 20 years old, then scrubbing for another 30 min with a toothbrush to actually get clean.

The rebuild got it all dirty again and i need to figure out a safe way to clean it up.

[dantesdoom]

^^^ moral of my story.....i really want to clean the bay itself not the engine, hence why i am worried about paint.

[nefarious300zx]

i use super clean diluted down a bit personally for engine bay cleaning and also tough stains on the interior its safe in the right ratios it says on the back. i have gotten a lot of nasty
stuff out that way.