Auto Detailing: The Best Way To Clean Your Engine Bay
You take great pride in caring for and preserving the life of your luxury car. One of your routine efforts might involve auto detailing, either professionally or DIY. But while you’re taking care of your vehicle’s interior, don’t forget to clean another critical area: your engine bay can build up with dust and debris, too.
We’ll share all the best methods for auto detailing your engine bay, including tools, steps, and safety precautions.
Best Tools for Auto Detailing Your Engine Bay
Before you begin, start by assembling all the necessary tools for the job. These will include a degreaser, a protectant, applicators, brushes, a water source (buckets, spray bottles, or a garden wand), electrical tape, and plastic bags.
Depending on how thorough you plan to get with your auto detailing of the engine, you may opt to include additional tools, like a blower, drip pans, rubber gloves, or a shop vacuum. Because there might be flying debris or chemical-laden dust particles, it’s best to also wear a dust mask and protective eyewear.
Preparing To Clean Your Engine
Once all of your tools are ready, you can then choose a location and start taking prep work and precautionary steps. For example, your engine should be cool, and all electrical components near the engine should be covered with plastic to prevent any water damage. The newer model luxury cars will have most of the sensitive components well-protected.
If your beloved sports car is mid-90s or older, you’ll want to be extra careful to protect wiring in and around the engine before you begin. Disconnect your battery if it’s nearby and remove it if possible. Be mindful of protecting filters, too.
Steps For Cleaning Your Engine
With all of your tools and materials ready and your safety precautions taken, it’s time to start auto detailing the engine bay. Follow these steps for the most effective results:
Step 1: Dry Clean
Before introducing any moisture, start by cleaning and removing all debris and dry materials. Vacuum first and then follow up with your assorted brushes to free up loose dirt from cracks.
Step 2: Spray To Moisten All Surfaces
Apply warm water with a spray bottle to all the exposed surfaces of your luxury car’s engine. Warm water will allow the degreaser to work evenly across these surfaces.
Step 3: Apply Degreaser
Use a spray bottle to apply degreaser to the exposed surfaces of your engine, offering a little more attention to those extra grimy areas. Allow the degreaser to sit for ten minutes or more.
Step 4: Rinse
Low-pressure sprays work best and avoid the high-pressure sprays at the car wash. Be mindful of controlling any runoff using drip pans or cloths.
Step 5: Dry The Engine Bay
You can use a garden-variety leaf blower or other blowers to help dry the engine bay. Leave the hood open and allow the compartment to air dry for an hour.
Step 6: Wipe Down Components
Even if you believe the engine bay is dry, take the extra step to wipe down everything by hand and with a dry cloth.
Auto Detailing And Luxury Car Care In South Florida
For more insights and step-by-step guidance for auto detailing and caring for your luxury car, let the expert team at Foreign Affairs Motorwerks help! Call us for all your luxury repair and maintenance questions at 954-746-0488.