How to Clean an Engine
The engine bay of your vehicle houses the motor, transmission, and battery – all critical components to your car’s overall function. It is important that you clean the engine bay frequently in order to protect your car from damage and increase its performance. However, many people do not clean their engine bay and end up with a messy and dirty engine that is difficult to clean.
To start cleaning your engine, pick a day and time that are conducive to your task. Ideally, it should be a bright and warm day with low humidity. This will help the engine to dry off after the detailing process and will also prevent any water spots from forming.
Cover up Electrical Components and Filters
If your car has a lot of sensitive components that could get wet, you should cover them up before you begin detailing the engine bay. This includes the alternator, fuse box, distributor cap, spark plugs, and coil packs. These are all potential targets for water and degreaser and can be damaged if they get wet while you are spraying with your waterless detailer.
Use Degreaser for the Entire Engine Bay
Before you begin detailing, it is a good idea to degrease every surface that will be exposed to your waterless degreaser. This will make the entire job of rinsing and drying much easier. To do this, mist your engine bay with a light-degreasing solution and allow it to dwell for at least 1 – 2 minutes.
Once the degreaser has saturated the entire engine bay, it is time to rinse off all of the water. You can do this with a pressure washer or steamer, but be sure to use the lowest setting possible in order to avoid damaging any delicate components. Once the water has been completely rinsed off, you can finish drying your engine bay using a microfiber towel.
Use a Rubber Glove and Mask
It is a good idea to wear rubber gloves and a mask when performing this type of detailing as you will be dealing with a lot of dust and chemicals. A pair of glasses or goggles are also recommended in order to avoid getting dust or other particles in your eyes.
A brush is also useful to clean any hard-to-reach areas on the engine. This can include the firewall, oil pan, radiator, and hoses. It is a good idea to purchase an engine bay brush that has synthetic fibers in it as this will be able to remove even the most stubborn dirt and grime.
Detailed Engines are Worth the Work
The more you maintain your engine, the better it will run and the longer you will be able to enjoy its performance.
A clean engine will not only look good but will help the motor to work more efficiently, which is the best way to improve your driving experience. You will also be able to spot any problems that you might encounter more quickly. This will save you a lot of money in the long run.