How to Properly detail your motor Options

[playr158]

1. Let the engine run for a minute or two to warm it up. Grease and other gunk is easier to remove when the engine is warm (NOT HOT).

2. Cover any exposed electrical components and anything else you do not want to get a bunch of water on with aluminum foil.

3. Get a can of engine degreaser from your local auto store...they used GUNK Engine Degreaser. Spray it liberally on everything! Don't be shy...they used the entire can. Let is sit for 10-15mins so it can breakdown and loosen all that grime.

4. Get the hose out and spray down everything to remove all the degreaser and dirt and grime. Do not use a nozzle...just the hose is enough pressure. You do not want to blast water into all the engine components...especially on newer cars.

5. Let the water run off for a few mins and start the engine and let is run for 30 seconds to help dry some of the water.

6. Here's the final step spray the entire engine bay down with WD-40. use an entire can and spray it on EVERYTHING! Some substitute Pledge furniture spray instead of WD-40 (believing WD-40 attracts dust).

[jason]

cartopia has alot of good writeups, if you want a good clean car should read up on stuff over there for detailing howto's. the sonus products are good, but there are alot of inexpensive alternatives that do an ok job compared to the sonus ones they rec over there

i mask off important stuff with foil, spray with degreaser, rinse, then i use spray wax on the underside of the hood, and painted engine bay area's, towel dry them off some so 'wax' them.

armor all cleaning wipes, the purple ones, are good for all the plastic components, they leave a satin type shine to them so its not all over the top like tire shine, pledge etc, plus it lasts ALOT longer and is more subtle.

also a good idea to touch up the rear suspension arms (so people follow you at night, and their lights hit your car, it looks new, instead of some used pickup truck thats been offroading

and wheel wells, esp if you have rims, nice shiney rim, crusty well =