1. Hose down
Put plastic bags over electric parts like fuses. A pre-rinse does a few things. It removes the loose dust and grit, makes it easier for the engine degreaser to spread and stops spots from the soap drying too fast.
Your engine bay is home to all the action... & it needs looking after.
As the name suggests, the engine bay is the space, usually under the bonnet of a vehicle, where the engine lives. And if you look after it and all the components inside well, you'll be rewarded with a vehicle that functions more reliably and has a higher resale value.
Cleaning your vehicle but not cleaning your engine bay is a no-no!
Cleaning your vehicle but not cleaning the engine bay is just as bad as having a shower without cleaning your teeth. Because although no-one can see it, cleaning it prevents damage to the components inside and maintains your resale value.
When a vehicle engine bay gets oil and grit all over it, there will be premature wear in the pulleys and bearings, and big issues such as gasket leaks will be hidden. Plus clean engine bay will keep the engine cooler and performing much better.
The good news is that, unlike many other engine related maintenance, cleaning it is really easy... here's our simple seven step guide to getting it done.
Cleaning your engine bay in 7 simple steps!
2. Disconnect battery
Wait until the engine is cool (open the bonnet hood and let it cool for an hour). Then lay out drip pans and absorbent pads underneath to stop the chemicals and oily mess from going down the drain.
3. Spray away
Spray a liberal amount of engine degreaser - go especially heavy on the nasty parts, like starter, oil pan and anything else oily. Follow the directions on the bottle, but normally you'll leave it to sit for a few minutes.
4. Rinse with water
Rinse with low-pressure water and check how things look. Some engines which haven't been cleaned for 300,000kms or more may need more degreaser. If things look OK, it's time for the soap.
5. Automotive soap
Use special automotive soap to finish cleaning the engine bay, the same way you would clean the outside. Use a wash mitt or glove and get it really soapy ready for a good scrub.
6. Rinse again
Rinse with low pressure water again and remove the plastic bags over the electronic parts. If the electronic parts need cleaning, you should call a professional detailer who will remove them and clean by hand.
7. Polish up
Use a special plastic cleaner to polish out fine scratches and bring back the shine to plastics. Apply with a cloth and wipe off with a clean microfiber cloth. Use a metal polish on the metal bits.
