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Engine Bay Detailing

Detailing your engine bay

You may spend hours perfecting every other surface of your car, but for the true petrol heads there’s nothing better than a gleaming engine bay.

How to clean your engine bay

1. The first step is to remove the large debris, such as leaves and twigs that get caught under the bonnet. This can be done manually, or you can use a hoover.

2. Next you have to cover up all your electrical connectors, to protect them from water and degreasers. Cling film works well for this. You also need to think about intake valves and cover anything else which may be damaged by water or degreaser. Cover air intake valves with plastic bags secured with rubber bands.

3. Now you are ready to apply the degreaser. Decant it into a spray bottle first, if it doesn’t originally come in one. Take care not to get degreaser on the paintwork as it will cut through the wax. Spray the lower parts of the engine first, ensuring that it is evenly covered.

4. Wait as per the instructions on your degreaser. Agitate tough grease with a brush to help loosen the dirt if necessary.

5. Once you are happy with the results of the degreaser, and all dirt and grease has been loosened or dissolved, it is time to rinse. It is best if you can use a pressure washer or hose, and ensure that all areas are hosed down.

6. Now you need to dry your engine. This is the stage where you can remove all the bags and bits of cling film. A microfibre towel is best for the areas you can get to, but you can switch on your engine to help dry out the difficult to reach areas. Water will pool in areas, these can be dispersed with a compressor and dried up with a towel.

7. Once it is dry and cool you can protect and treat the various internal surfaces. You can get specific engine protectants, designed to withstand high heat, otherwise your usual detailing products will suffice. For metallic parts you can use metal polishes to bring back shine and sheen. Use detailing sticks to reach those tricky nooks and crannies.