What to bag before engine detailing

[Toby944]

Hello,

I want to have a go at detailing my engine bay and having never done so. I wanted to ask what others on here bag up before undertaking this. I'm guessing fuse box, air intake and distributor for a start but any other areas that could be sensitive to a light hosing?

Thanks

[Sean Smallman]

Steam would be better than hose pipe

[Waylander]

Alternator, the thing is permanently live even with the key out

[DavidGardner]

Yes, use a citrus type all purpose cleaner to loosen the muck and then use a small steam generator.

[Prophead]

I tend these days to mostly do it by hand. I find the large kitchen cleaning wipes pretty good for a first pass to get rid of the gunk and build up, then use a hand sprayer with a solution of engine degreaser spray a section and work it with brush(es) (a larger and a small round detailing brushes are quite good) then wipe clean with a cloth. Limits the risk of getting electrics soaked.

[Toby944]

I tend these days to mostly do it by hand. I find the large kitchen cleaning wipes pretty good for a first pass to get rid of the gunk and build up, then use a hand sprayer with a solution of engine degreaser spray a section and work it with brush(es) (a larger and a small round detailing brushes are quite good) then wipe clean with a cloth. Limits the risk of getting electrics soaked.

Thanks, despite numerous youtube videos on 'how to... in about 5mins' which make it look dead easy I think the above method might yield much better results!

[aulmonastery]

Yes, use a citrus type all purpose cleaner to loosen the muck and then use a small steam generator.

Yes! I used it too man and it's effective.

[Makalu]

You can get a steamer off fleabay for about £20 - works wonders on a grimy engine. I just use a fine mist of APC and work it in with brushes - then steam it all off and finish with Aerospace 303. No need for puddles of water in the engine bay...