If I wanted to clean the engine, what would be the best way of going about it? What if any electrical parts should I cover and where are they located? Thanks for any help!

 

Hi cadrad. The last thing I would do to any engine bay is spray it with some sort of degreasant/cleaner and then hose it down. That was OK with old engine bays with few electrics and lots of space for the water to drain away.

I do mine by hand. I start of with a pack of kitchen wipes and use them to get rid of as much dirt and grease as possible. I then use Autoglym vinyl and rubber cleaner on the plastic components and metal polish on anything metal. I have a long stuff brush to loosen dirt and a long pair of tweezers to get at leaves and stuff. When I first detailed the Jags engine bay I had to fish out a chocolate wrapper stuck down behind the radiator fan!

You will get far better results cleaning by hand.

 

I'd agree with Delta, you don't have to blast it all in one go, if its never been done before on a high miles car, this can be daunting.
Pick a side to start first, take off what you can and clean it away from the car, keeping all fasteners close by, maybe take pictures for reference.

Ramps or axle stands to get underneath the car, take a wheel off at a time and detail under the arch, cleaning the brake callipers, lines, a bit of brake cleaner will shift brake dust. Gently hose down the clods of muck that gather around the front/rear of the outer arch -

you could titivate the disc with heatproof silver paint, the edge and centre, not the actual disc!, a bit of satin black to finish under there, covering the brake assembly with a sheet to mask it off. Makes a world of difference. Same with the engine.
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easyvape vaporizer

 

AllPurposeCleaner will work magic on most every corner of your vehicle, one gallon jugs go for around 12dollars and last for a while. You can basicly do your whole interior, engine bay, wheel arches, wheels, and still have some to give to the wife for the home.

just properly mix it with water per application as stated on the back label.

 

I did some more engine detailing today, as you say Sean B, its an ongoing process. I got hold of some long paint brushes with short stubby bristles. I sprayed vynil and rubber cleaner onto the bristles and reached the hard to get at parts. I am not brave enough to take off any major components. I will take off the wheels once I get a trolley jack.

Your comment about using heatproof paint, I have read any paint will do for the calipers and disc edges. Is that not the case?

 

I have always had great results with black magic engine shine. Used it on my 02 f150 harley with sound system (upgraded battery and wiring) and my 03 xjr stock. Spray it on cold and dont even have to cover wires up. Heck the can even has the xjr engine on it! To go the extra yard with it you can wipe it down with a rag afterward and use some armor all as well. Check my album for pics that was, just following the directions on the can.
http://www.blackmagicshine.com/produ...1-engine-shine

 

Black Magic Shine looks ideal. Anything that does not involve water is good.