Car Cleaning Continued - Under The Hood

[mick_s3]

I am new, so Hello. Thanks to everyone for the very imformative information that is on this board. I for one appreciate such a resource!

My question is, with all the conversations about car care (I went with a Pinnacle Kit) I was hoping to get some insight into how you all keep the engine compartment nice.

I drive mine "like I stole it" to borrow an excellent phrase from a thread on this board, and I want to keep the engine bay looking as good as the rest of the vehicle.

Thanks!

Mick in Tampa

 

[DetailingDude]

This is for general maintenance of your engine

This is a cut and past from another post:

Here's how I suggest you clean your engine:

Make sure your engine is cool

Step 1: With freezer bags and brand new rubber bands seal off all sensitive components.

Step 2: Lightly Spray off all light dust.

Step 3: Spray on engine wash (I like Zymol's Strik because it is safe on paint..... kind of expensive, but is a concentrate so it will last you quite some time.)
Technique: Spray in an "H-pattern". Start in the front and spray the area, move to the right and spray that area, then move to the left side and spray that area. Let sit for a few minutes (2-3).
Tech Tip: Depending on what components you have covered you may wish to have your engine running now.

Step 4: On any heavily soiled areas you may wish to use a long-softbrislte brush to free up the crap.

Step 5: Rinse and inspect. If there is any remainning soil re-apply.
Tech Tip: If your engine was running you may wish to turn it off now as it will be warming up. If you have hard water in your area you may find waterspotting if it dries to the surface before you can dry it.

Step 6: If you like a shiny engine you may wish to spray on an engine shine. If not dry thoroughly.

 

[RubyDropTop]

Because I have an OptiSpark unit on my car (if it's exposed to water it does this ) I cannot spray down my engine compartment and feel comfortable with that.

Unfortunately I have become very familiar with a medical supply store near my home, as that is where I purchase the 6" medical swabs that I use to clean my engine. :cry

 

[FUBAR]

Re: This is for general maintenance of your engine

Step 1: With freezer bags and brand new rubber bands seal off all sensitive components.

Hello, im new to this too, learning a load from this site though, but...

What parts would you need to seal off?

FUBAR

 

[DetailingDude]

certainly the distributor and any sensitive components. What gen of 'Vette do you have?

Side Note: I lived in Weybridge for 4 years. Where are you from in England?

 

[FUBAR]

I dont have a vette atm, im researching really into how to look after it (cos I want the thing to shine , costs etc, what I need to do if I want to import one from the US, but i seem to be doing this before I can actually afford one (typical!). Im looking at getting a 78 - 82 vette as i prefer the older ones & i like the shape, and they are a lot more affordable for me.

However I know very little about cars, engines, maintainance etc, so this site is proving to be a useful teaching aid when i sift thru some of the Jargon. Lets put it this way, (gonna get laughed at now i think ) ive picked up everything i know so far from playing this Motor City Online

I live in Milton Keynes, but my Uncle Lives in Weybridge

FUBAR

 

[DetailingDude]

Well, I hope I can help you out. I do know the boot and the bonett so if you speak in your native tongue I can probably understand you. LOL



Side Note Part 2: Milton "The American Grid Gone Bad" Keynes? I finally got used to taking two lefts and winding up back at the same spot when I went to MK. That was an utter nightmare! I am sure your uncle has been to The Volly (The British Volunteer) in Weybridge. A good friend, Steve Currey, the footie broadcast journalist for Sky, BBC and The Sunday Telegraph is part owner of it. What the heck is up with Michael Owen?

 

[FUBAR]

Np about Boot & Bonnet, after chatting to Americans for over a year playing that PC game im starting to call them Hood & Trunk too so no worries about that. There are Very few english people on there as it was never released in the UK & cost over £70 to get it imported.

Part 2: Yup thats MK loads of roundabouts & millions of Trees with all the major roads looking the same. Its cool once you get used to it & know the area, its nice to be able to get through the centre of town at a speed only limited by the roundabout spacing sometimes the 70mph speed limit.
As for Michael Owen, no idea, I have him in my Fantasy football team & im thinking of getting rid of him!

FUBAR

 

[FUBAR]

DD,

Ok, heres a car ive seen, fair enough it needs a few things to make it pass its MOT (like a working speedo, that is what Tach means isnt it? and working fuel guage) and this is not the best example ive seen on eBay but hey

Take a look Here

Seen as im only looking right now, lets assume that the only things wrong / need fixing with this car are what is listed, how much woudl it cost to get these things sorted out?

FUBAR

PS you'll have to be quick, theres only 3 1/2 hrs left on the eBay Auction its in florida, but if I found the right car im willing to go through all the hassle of getting it imported to the UK

 

[DetailingDude]

DD,

Ok, heres a car ive seen, fair enough it needs a few things to make it pass its MOT (like a working speedo, that is what Tach means isnt it? and working fuel guage) and this is not the best example ive seen on eBay but hey

Take a look Here

Seen as im only looking right now, lets assume that the only things wrong / need fixing with this car are what is listed, how much woudl it cost to get these things sorted out?

FUBAR

PS you'll have to be quick, theres only 3 1/2 hrs left on the eBay Auction its in florida, but if I found the right car im willing to go through all the hassle of getting it imported to the UK

Well, I have several friends who do top knotch Corvette service. www.BurkeCorvettes.com for the painting and www.CorvetteMasters.com for the repairs as for the detailing I could take care of that. I'd like to know more about the car itsself. As far as getting those things so-'ed for MOT the guys at Corvette Masters would take care of those as well. Is that kinda what you had in mind?

 

[DetailingDude]

Go to your User CP in the top right corner of this site, click on it and you'll see a message from me. It a bunch of Corvette contacts in England. They'll be a good bunch to tie into. Your biggest concern is going to be making sure you have a few spare parts on hand should there be any problems.