Dressing up engine bay

[SeatDanny]

Well had the car for 2months and ive got the cleaning bug something wicked, washed, waxed, clayed, wheel detailing, rubber and plastics treatment, u name it.

Now turning my attention to the engine bay, i am curious as to how i should go about cleaning it? I must say im not overly keen on just splashing water over it willy nilly, any advice or what to use etc would be appreciated?

Also while im on the topic, is there any easy way to spice the engine bay up, e.g changing all the wires to red etc, apolagies if thats a silly question but i havent a baldy on this area!


Many thanks in advance!

P.s My engine is a diesel if this matters...

 

[SteveTDCi]

I usually wash mine down with some kind of degreaser either AG machine clean or Megs APC, for dressing either AG vinyl & rubber or 303 protectant, the wires ... you could always spiral wrap them or try and hide them but I wouldn't suggest it. Some of the hoses uou might be able to swap for silcon ones, try SFS, Samco, forge & roose

 

[Knight_Rider]

To 'spice up'---
You can get the flexible corregated ducting to go over cables in whatever colour you like to add some colour to the engine bay. silicone hoses from samco or sfs. Maybe paint parts of the engine cover or water cap, coolant cap oil cap etc. Plastic battery cover from VW dealership (standard on GTI's), get an intake and the neuspeed carbon engine cover, alloy tanks or washer bottle... just a few ideas.

Cleaning, autoglym machine clean or similar. To be safe I'd cling wrap electronic components if using a pressure washer in there. metal polish anything metal etc. rubber/vinyl spray for the plastics and rubber.

 

[robdf2]

heres mine :

 

[Ami-Jane]

wow Rob that's clean! What did you do to it?

Also the hoses done by SFS and Samco only list for the MkI leon - to get hoses for the MkII is it best to get those done for an Audi or Golf??

 

[n_d_fox]

its safe to jet wash / hose down the engine as long as you take care to cover up any exposed electrics with cling film or bags.

use an engine degreaser or APC (i use Meguairs APC - All Purpose Cleaner) diluted 4:1 with water, aggitate with various brushes then rinse off. i run the engine during the rinse stage to make sure the belts etc dont get too wet and slip. turn the engine off and dry with MF cloths or an old drying towel, fire it up again and shut the bonnet for 10 minutes or so, this will help dry off any left over water.

then use a dressing spray to finish things off. i use Chemical Guys Bare Bones at the moment, it leaves a nice factory look finish without being too shiny on the plastics etc. it also aids to stopping dust / dirt settle too quickly.

generally i do the engine bay on my cars once every 6 months with an occasional wipe down with a damp MF cloth in between.

Bosses Mondeo

My old vRS

HTH, Nige

 

[robdf2]

wow Rob that's clean! What did you do to it?

Also the hoses done by SFS and Samco only list for the MkI leon - to get hoses for the MkII is it best to get those done for an Audi or Golf??

that was done around 25k so came out really well.
I just used APC (all purpose cleaner) diluted 4:1 , you can buy daisy from tesco.
you can also use this on the paint work around the engine bay but i tend not to leave it on very long.
Agitate with a brush and hose off , NOT POWER WASH just let the hose wash the APC off.
try to keep water away from electrics , just use bags over the electricals if you are unsure.

And for the plastics i used aerospace 303 plastic and rubber shine from cleanyourcar.co.uk

I warn you now its very addictive