Cleaning engine bays

[Bushman]

Hi All,
Does anyone have any method of cleaning engine bays full of sand / mud without destroying any of the components?
Appreciate any help possible.

[Quinny34]

Lots of degreaser.... let it soak.... more degreaser... let it soak more... (2 beers should be taken during this time)

Then hit it with the high pressure from a distance... Also a mag wheel cleener and a hand broom come in handy for some of the harder to reach places....

Hardest thing to clean is the air filter cover... I always get drenched with that...

[Hilux Max]

careful with what de greaser you use...some are stronger than others ......find out how strong it is before soaking your engine bay as some may start to eat alloy components and rubbers.

I'd recommend getting a medium strength one, spray all over properly then use the low pressure setting of the high pressure hose to get into tight spots in the engine bay....high pressure from a distance shouldnt be a problem but you dont want the water pressure ripping connectors off without you knowing about it then having lights light up on the dash after a wash.

after you've washed it, then grab some of those beers quinny was talking about

[Quinny34]

My cleaner of choice.... (Then the macguires products for polishing and scratch removal.... if I ever get enough time)

CT18
SuperWash

Australia’s No.1 concentrated multipurpose heavy duty cleaning gel
• Suitable for all types of vehicles, bikes, boats, equipment and exterior of houses
• Biodegradable, pH neutral and inhibits rust and corrosion
• ‘Quick Break” laboratory tested (total separation of oil and water)
• Free rinsing and can be left to dry on the surface
• Removes the toughest dirt, grime, oil film, soot and bugs leaving a sparkling streak free finish
Code Sizes:
CT18-1L / 1 Litre
CT18-5L / 5 Litre
CT18-20L / 20 Litre
CT18-200L / 200 Litre
CT18-1000L / 1000 Litre

[Bushman]

Thanks heaps guys for such a quick response, thats a great help. I was also thinking of investing in a air compressor for getting rid of the dry sand. Is there anywhere that you should not putting the air gun / high pressure cleaner near? I hear so many stories about cracked heads / water getting in seals. Is there any truth in this or are the lux bays fairly tight and sealed for most pressure cleaners. I just don't want to get water or sand in the wrong place let alone crack a head.

Great idea about the beers, cracking tinnies sounds like the hardest part of the job.

[Torsion]

My cleaner of choice.... (Then the macguires products for polishing and scratch removal.... if I ever get enough time)

CT18
SuperWash

Australia’s No.1 concentrated multipurpose heavy duty cleaning gel
• Suitable for all types of vehicles, bikes, boats, equipment and exterior of houses
• Biodegradable, pH neutral and inhibits rust and corrosion
• ‘Quick Break” laboratory tested (total separation of oil and water)
• Free rinsing and can be left to dry on the surface
• Removes the toughest dirt, grime, oil film, soot and bugs leaving a sparkling streak free finish
Code Sizes:
CT18-1L / 1 Litre
CT18-5L / 5 Litre
CT18-20L / 20 Litre
CT18-200L / 200 Litre
CT18-1000L / 1000 Litre

You sponsored by em.
Yeh I also use CT18, doesn't always get rid of that stagnut mud that seems to bite into rubbers and soft plastic in the bay though.

[simonreale]

As stated, careful with the degreaser, I saw one eat away at the alloy block of a brand new KXF450, left it all shit looking/discoloured.

[Quinny34]

Torsion, LOL... nah... the drivers and workshop at work got me onto it... now I do 2 lines a day...

Seriously though... this shit is about the safest I've seen... can even be left on to dry and still works...

With the rubbers, if your that senstivie, use tyre shine or the like.... I clean mine to keep it working well not for looks so cant assist to much on the show room shine finish... (In fact, most times I return from a trip the engine bay an under carrage get more of a clean than the exterior.. it just gets a hose down)

[Bushman]

Thanks for all your advice guys. I am going to put it in to practice this weekend
Cheers

[Quinny34]

If you need more practice I'll drop mine around and you can have a crack at all the spray on mud I use (You'll have to ask Crossport and Possum re the spray on mud though)

[dansha654]

Does anyone know of a good scratch removal polish? I have used Macguires on all my previous vehicles and came up a treat although I have a few rather visible scratches extending the length of the vehicle and although the ute is dustygrey in color is still shows the marks and would like to try and minimise how obvious they are.

Any help would be great..

Danny

[SR5 2NV]

Meguiars scratch scratch x 2.0 on a D.A polisher, then follow with a light swirl removal around the scratch. Then treat it with nxt tech wax 2.0 (liquid form). Apply all with the D.A and it should come up nice.

I do the same process on all my black cars.

[Kizzzaaa]

Meguiars scratch scratch x 2.0 on a D.A polisher, then follow with a light swirl removal around the scratch. Then treat it with nxt tech wax 2.0 (liquid form). Apply all with the D.A and it should come up nice.

I do the same process on all my black cars.

What is the D.A polisher?

[Noordz]

What is the D.A polisher?

Its a Duel Action Polisher. +1 for the Meguiars scratch 2.0. Took my lux out and it got covered galore with surface scratches. Got home, did both sides of the lux and boom, all shiny again.

[Kizzzaaa]

What is the D.A polisher?

Its a Duel Action Polisher. +1 for the Meguiars scratch 2.0. Took my lux out and it got covered galore with surface scratches. Got home, did both sides of the lux and boom, all shiny again.

Sound good mate! I have a heap of surface + deeper scratches from forestry road up in townsville yesterday. But I have a black ute so wasnt sure how to fix them. Some of them are a greyish colour

[BIGFOOTJR]

Hi All,
Does anyone have any method of cleaning engine bays full of sand / mud without destroying any of the components?
Appreciate any help possible.

Air compressor gun mate.

[SRD4D]

Be very careful,blowing your intercooler with the high pressure hose.
Very easy to flatten the fins........ Blocking air flow.