Any engine bay cleaning tips,

[shepbomb]

Hi all,
now im off work for the next week on paternity leave, I thought I would make a start on detailing my engine bay, any hints/tips on how to do this as it looks like it has never been cleaned since coming out of the factory, It is a ME7 t5, if this opens up any possible problems....

[M-R-P]

Mainly, don't go firing a pressure washer at it! If you can take bits off and clean them, do so - charge air and inlet pipes (all the big, black plastic ones) come off easily and look good for a good scrub, or even a coat of paint from a rattle can.
While the pipes are off, you could remove the cover on top of the head and give it a scrub or again, a coat of paint (body colour goes well) the paint on the strut turrets is a pig to clean because of some coating that gets put on it in the factory.
Rubber hoses come up nicely with engine oil or boot polish.

I'll finish mine one day lol!

[I want a T5]

As Martin says, avoid dousing with the jet washer!

I used a good degreaser which I sprayed where I needed it and then agitated with a suitable sized old paint brush. After leaving a while, I poured very hot water from an old kettle to rinse it down (not boiling but more than hand hot). This worked a treat.

Soon after rinsing, I wiped with rags to dry and remove final residue so didnt leave water pooled anywhere. I think I am about 80% clean now and then just used a cheapo Halfords style vinyl dresser to make the plastics look better; something I will re do when the better weather is here.

Just take your time and concentrate on a manageable area at a time rather than try to attack the whole bay in one go. I can see me takeing many hours to get the bay looking absolutely mint but its getting there!

[Porcine_Aviator]

If you have a steam cleaner with a small brush on it you can heat up the greasy oily bits and wipe them off without leaving any water. But remember that if you do degreese an area where it's meant to have greese then you will need to replace it. But new greese always looks better than old.

[Peanut1]

Only thing i ever say is make sure you have a nice strong degreaser!!

http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/showthread.php?t=39270

Thats what i did! Never had an issue using a jet washer, just be careful where you aim it!!! And, always have your engine running once you have degreased and scrubbed everything before you wash!!!

[MIKESC70T5]

As Martin says, avoid dousing with the jet washer!

I used a good degreaser which I sprayed where I needed it and then agitated with a suitable sized old paint brush. After leaving a while, I poured very hot water from an old kettle to rinse it down (not boiling but more than hand hot). This worked a treat.

Soon after rinsing, I wiped with rags to dry and remove final residue so didnt leave water pooled anywhere. I think I am about 80% clean now and then just used a cheapo Halfords style vinyl dresser to make the plastics look better; something I will re do when the better weather is here.

Just take your time and concentrate on a manageable area at a time rather than try to attack the whole bay in one go. I can see me takeing many hours to get the bay looking absolutely mint but its getting there!

Seriously, you don't need to spend more than 20 minutes doing your engine bay. Spray Autoglym engine degreaser over everything, agitate with a brush if really dirty then using your hose pipe lightly spray over with water. While it's wet spray everything with Autoglym vinyl and rubber care and just shut the bonnet, job done. Come back an hour later, open your bonnet and be greeted with a lovely clean engine bay

[Wobbly Dave]

Degreasers - I recommend Carlack Special Cleaner. Agitation is a great word. I use a variety of small & large brushes. to get into the nooks & crannies. Halfords have a little pack of 3 almost toothbrush-like detailing brushes, with nylon, brass & steel bristles, perfect for that kinda thing.

And yes I do rinse the degreaser with a jet wash - but sparingly so. I use a drying towel to remove the water.

Use Aerospace 303 protectant as a finishing touch on plastics (brings 'em up lovely).

check out my bling... http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/dto_gara...ehicle_id=1052

[Porcine_Aviator]

Having seen Wobbly's engine bay and being dazzled by it, I can say his method seems to work really well.

[Wobbly Dave]

I use AG metal polish for the shiny bits.

[volvokid]

Daves way is the easiest dont believe in the no pressure washer myth i was shown how to clean the engine by polished bliss, if it works on super cars it will work on our old Volvo's. Get any good spray on degreaser but defo buy 303 i have used lots of products for the plastics but this runs rings round them

[volvokid]

Read this http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acata...n-engines.html
Everything they use is what i use

[M-R-P]

Having seen Wobbly's engine bay and being dazzled by it, I can say his method seems to work really well.

'Tis true, Wobbly "the bonnet magpie" Dave does seem to have a certain skill when it comes to a clean bay...

Although, it does tend to try and eat him from time to time...

[shepbomb]

thanks, for all the tips everyone, Looks my weekend project, after this aerial gets sorted

[claymore]

Seriously, you don't need to spend more than 20 minutes doing your engine bay. Spray Autoglym engine degreaser over everything, agitate with a brush if really dirty then using your hose pipe lightly spray over with water. While it's wet spray everything with Autoglym vinyl and rubber care and just shut the bonnet, job done. Come back an hour later, open your bonnet and be greeted with a lovely clean engine bay

Somehow, I don't see that method working on mine....lol

[M-R-P]

Colin, I reckon, if you pour a packet of peanuts in that engine bay, not one of them will hit the ground!

[mas]

I just love the fact that you're on paternity leave and still think to work on your Volvo .................... Respect that man


Mas

[shepbomb]

have no choice, its that ir public transport lol,

[shrekblackR]

good de greaser take your time and maybe some chrome plasticoate for the manifold

[Wobbly Dave]

Good shinyness