Polishing up engine bay - Mazda 6 Forums : Mazda 6 / Mazda Atenza Forum

johnnycake8877 · 06-27-2008, 11:56 PM

So the past winter wreaked havoc on my engine bay. The salt on the roads have deposited on everything metal. I don't really know of a good way to bring it back to looking clean. I usually use simple green for grimey stuff and all the plastics, but I just don't see this cutting it on the metal surfaces.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

karlt10 · 06-29-2008, 12:09 PM

Always had great results with Simple Green. In the past I have also used wheel cleaner designed for machined surface wheels. Seems to work great on alternators, A/C units, aluminum valve covers, etc.

I always finish off with non-oily/non-greasy tire dressing on the rubber and plastic pieces.

I'll drag out an oldie-but-goodie for the 1,238th time
15 years, 190,000 miles

javim007 · 06-29-2008, 12:27 PM

QUOTE (KarlT10 @ Jun 29 2008, 12:09 PM)

Quote:

Always had great results with Simple Green. In the past I have also used wheel cleaner designed for machined surface wheels. Seems to work great on alternators, A/C units, aluminum valve covers, etc.

I always finish off with non-oily/non-greasy tire dressing on the rubber and plastic pieces.

I'll drag out an oldie-but-goodie for the 1,238th time
15 years, 190,000 miles

[/b]

Damn!!! I've seen engine bays 2years old that wish they looked half as clean as that.

JCosper · 06-29-2008, 07:58 PM

I take a degreaser... spray her down, allow time to soak then hose off. Then a mist of tire shine, time to soak, then spray clean. Leaf blower to dry... spotless and shiny.

bumoftheday · 06-30-2008, 02:15 PM

Use CD-2 Engine Detailer. Better look and durability than tire shine. You can pick it up at Autozone for like $4 a can.

zchrisz · 07-06-2008, 11:47 AM

i agree with bumoftheday, you guys are using way to many steps.

CD-2 Engine detailer

MaliceAtrocity · 07-06-2008, 02:44 PM

someone mentioned "hose off" the engine. i've been noticing alot of dirt build up under my hood around the engine bay ever since i got this carbon fiber hood. and its in areas i find difficult to get to to get rid of it. obviously the dirt is making its way in through the vents in the top. ive heard mixed stories about hosing an engine off. it is safe? im not willing to try it until i hear some stories from others about it being safe. im assuming it cant be super dangerous because most of you drive this car in the rain, (i do not never have and never will) and water im sure makes its way up in there. spraying a cool engine thats sat for a good 30-60 minutes in the shade would be my guess.

zchrisz · 07-06-2008, 04:00 PM

dude i just did that to mine in the above pics, my engine was just dirty, no need to degrease, i went to the car wash, when you hold the sprayer dont pull the lever for high pressure, just rinse it down dont stay in one place too long. it'll be fine.

MaliceAtrocity · 07-06-2008, 04:21 PM

QUOTE (zchrisz @ Jul 6 2008, 04:00 PM)

Quote:

dude i just did that to mine in the above pics, my engine was just dirty, no need to degrease, i went to the car wash, when you hold the sprayer dont pull the lever for high pressure, just rinse it down dont stay in one place too long. it'll be fine.[/b]

how long did you wait to let it dry before you started it back up? im thinking as soon as i get to the wash, do the bay first real good. by the time im done washing the entire vehicle, and detailing it it'll be dry and ready to be started.

zchrisz · 07-06-2008, 04:51 PM

start it right after, i finished washing the car then started it.

06-27-2008, 11:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
johnnycake8877 Learners License Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 37 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	So the past winter wreaked havoc on my engine bay. The salt on the roads have deposited on everything metal. I don't really know of a good way to bring it back to looking clean. I usually use simple green for grimey stuff and all the plastics, but I just don't see this cutting it on the metal surfaces. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks! __________________ 2006 BCM MS6 CPE CAI, TBE, HKS SSQV, PG turbo manifold, mrlilguyCDFP, AWR rear mm, TT front mm, front diff mount, NGK plugs, Saikou Michi OCC, AutoEXE low down springs, Bilstein HD shocks, RX-8 rims, TWM ss stage 1 with bushings, Prosport Premium boost gauge with Dekz pod, MSD Dashhawk, H11 fogs.

06-29-2008, 12:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
karlt10 Rally Racer Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: West Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 1,721 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: 0 reviews	Always had great results with Simple Green. In the past I have also used wheel cleaner designed for machined surface wheels. Seems to work great on alternators, A/C units, aluminum valve covers, etc. I always finish off with non-oily/non-greasy tire dressing on the rubber and plastic pieces. I'll drag out an oldie-but-goodie for the 1,238th time 15 years, 190,000 miles __________________ 2005 6S wagon: MazdaSpeed springs / Tokico HP shocks / MazdaSpeed sway bars / Racing Beat end links / GTSpec Trailing Braces / MazdaSpeed CAI / EGR mod / Racing Beat exhaust / Street Unit engine mount / switching to StopTech braided lines / Hawk HPS pads / B&M trans cooler - Inline trans filter - Redline D4 fluid / Mazda iPod adapter-CX7 antenna / Hella FF50 lights--Coming- Steeda shock tower brace--Soon installing- MSDS headers & Magnaflow cat; lightweight pulleys--Maybe- Fluidamper; oil cooler

06-29-2008, 07:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
JCosper Track Racer Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 651 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	I take a degreaser... spray her down, allow time to soak then hose off. Then a mist of tire shine, time to soak, then spray clean. Leaf blower to dry... spotless and shiny. __________________ http://jcosperphotos.blogspot.com/

06-30-2008, 02:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
bumoftheday Track Racer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Orlando(ish), FL Posts: 605 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Use CD-2 Engine Detailer. Better look and durability than tire shine. You can pick it up at Autozone for like $4 a can. __________________ Some serious front end mods...

07-06-2008, 11:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
zchrisz Track Racer Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 114 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	i agree with bumoftheday, you guys are using way to many steps. CD-2 Engine detailer __________________ 2004 6S MTX Blazing Copper

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07-06-2008, 02:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
MaliceAtrocity Rally Racer Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,769 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	someone mentioned "hose off" the engine. i've been noticing alot of dirt build up under my hood around the engine bay ever since i got this carbon fiber hood. and its in areas i find difficult to get to to get rid of it. obviously the dirt is making its way in through the vents in the top. ive heard mixed stories about hosing an engine off. it is safe? im not willing to try it until i hear some stories from others about it being safe. im assuming it cant be super dangerous because most of you drive this car in the rain, (i do not never have and never will) and water im sure makes its way up in there. spraying a cool engine thats sat for a good 30-60 minutes in the shade would be my guess.

07-06-2008, 04:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
zchrisz Track Racer Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 114 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	dude i just did that to mine in the above pics, my engine was just dirty, no need to degrease, i went to the car wash, when you hold the sprayer dont pull the lever for high pressure, just rinse it down dont stay in one place too long. it'll be fine. __________________ 2004 6S MTX Blazing Copper

07-06-2008, 04:51 PM	#10 (permalink)
zchrisz Track Racer Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 114 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	start it right after, i finished washing the car then started it. __________________ 2004 6S MTX Blazing Copper