Cleaning Engine Bay - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

LS3_Dave · 06-04-2016, 04:45 PM

So my engine bay is getting a little dirty, and I wanted to get any tips on cleaning it. Everything is completely stock, no aftermarket CAI or anything and the engine cover is still on. I've read that using a hose is fine and I just want to make sure that's okay before I try it, I also have Meguiar's "mirror bright" detailing spray and wanted to see if that would be okay to use as well.

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Dimitrim · 06-04-2016, 07:08 PM

I am not a fan of using any water in the engine compartment. Too many very expensive, sensitive electrical stuff. I will use Windex, spray it on a paper towel and wipe. Spray it on an old tooth brush for the dirtier areas. I would not use Meguiars mirror bright in your engine compartment. Only use a pure 100% silicon spray.
http://www.amazon.com/CRC-05074-Sili...+silicon+spray

I use it on my hoses, spark plug wires, any thing black plastic like fuse covers in the engine compartment.

bigwayne3000 · 06-04-2016, 07:10 PM

Since everything is stock and you don't need to worry about any open CAI or anything, feel free to go at it with water and soap. I used Adams all purpose cleaner myself but you can use whatever you want. Everything is pretty well sealed in terms of not needing to worry about water damage, I just wouldn't use high pressure and just use a small stream. YOu don't need to go crazy with the water. You could also just use a rinseless wash like Adams rineless wash which you just spray on and wipe off without the need for water. Personally I'd give it a good water cleaning first then do the follow ups with the rineless stuff as needed.

bigwayne3000 · 06-04-2016, 07:11 PM

Here's a good video

CO2010ss · 06-04-2016, 07:45 PM

I use the presoak cleaner then follow with the spot free rinse at the local self serve car wash and have for alot of years on all my cars with no ill effects, there is nothing under the hood that don't get wet when driving in a rain storm that will with a hose. as long as you don't use the hi pressure you will be fine.

Dimitrim · 06-04-2016, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigwayne3000

Here's a good video

Most people have hard water, a lot of calcium in it. When it dries it will leave spots every where.

Mike J · 06-04-2016, 08:34 PM

Showed the vid to wife she seems to think I need to use a boars hair brush myself.....not impressed

sscamaro · 06-05-2016, 12:36 PM

I've had my SS for almost 6 years with 52K miles on it. I always wipe the engine compartment after I wash it, which isn't very often, because it doesn't get very dirty. Since I wipe it, I don't need to hose it down.

49North1LE · 06-05-2016, 01:36 PM

Compressed air will blow any water that finds a hiding place or could sit and form water spots. I always give the engine bay a good blast after rinsing.

Welker2 · 06-05-2016, 02:24 PM

Like others, I wipe my engine compartments/bays down at least once a month, so I have no need to hose them down. I usually just get a rag damp and wipe everything down; I follow this by spraying a little detailer on another rag and wiping down all painted and plastic areas. If an area does get a little grimy, I'll spray that area with a little Simple Green first. Have done this for years.

LS3_Dave · 06-05-2016, 02:36 PM

Awesome thank you all for the great tips!

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Tenring · 06-05-2016, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigwayne3000

Here's a good video

Video has good info, but would be better if she was wearing a bikini

Mr. Stacy · 06-05-2016, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welker2

Like others, I wipe my engine compartments/bays down at least once a month, so I have no need to hose them down. I usually just get a rag damp and wipe everything down; I follow this by spraying a little detailer on another rag and wiping down all painted and plastic areas. If an area does get a little grimy, I'll spray that area with a little Simple Green first. Have done this for years.

The video was nice. I would let her tickle my engine area with her little nut brush but I wouldn't let her clean my engine compartment.

If you stay up with it, should just be a simple wipe down like Welker describes above.

If it got away from you and is really bad, then a dedicated engine pre-clean product to loosen the dirt and a VERY light rinse (cover your CAI etc.). Then after it dries, or towel dry, use the method above.

JMHO

Glintify · 06-05-2016, 06:09 PM

I used simple green mixed with water and scrubbed with a brush everywhere and then dried it with a microfiber towel . Did the job well

06-04-2016, 04:45 PM	#1
LS3_Dave Drives: 2014 2SS/RS LS3 Red Hot Join Date: May 2016 Location: AZ Posts: 11	Cleaning Engine Bay So my engine bay is getting a little dirty, and I wanted to get any tips on cleaning it. Everything is completely stock, no aftermarket CAI or anything and the engine cover is still on. I've read that using a hose is fine and I just want to make sure that's okay before I try it, I also have Meguiar's "mirror bright" detailing spray and wanted to see if that would be okay to use as well. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

06-04-2016, 07:45 PM	#5
CO2010ss Drives: 2010 ss/rs Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: southern colorado Posts: 91	I use the presoak cleaner then follow with the spot free rinse at the local self serve car wash and have for alot of years on all my cars with no ill effects, there is nothing under the hood that don't get wet when driving in a rain storm that will with a hose. as long as you don't use the hi pressure you will be fine. __________________ 2010 2ss/rs ls3 dynatech longtubes/exhaust, CAI intake, mgw short throw, pfadt coils, ds i1000 tuned by dynosteve, taylor 409 race wires, elite catch can, bfg comp 2 tires,

06-05-2016, 12:36 PM	#8
sscamaro Drives: 2010 2SS, 2017 Silverado LTZ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Denver,PA Posts: 3,195 View My Garage	I've had my SS for almost 6 years with 52K miles on it. I always wipe the engine compartment after I wash it, which isn't very often, because it doesn't get very dirty. Since I wipe it, I don't need to hose it down. Last edited by sscamaro; 06-06-2016 at 12:20 PM.

06-05-2016, 02:24 PM	#10
Welker2 Ret AF, cancer survivor Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS/RS & 2006 Corvette Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Mesquite, NV Posts: 2,741 View My Garage	Like others, I wipe my engine compartments/bays down at least once a month, so I have no need to hose them down. I usually just get a rag damp and wipe everything down; I follow this by spraying a little detailer on another rag and wiping down all painted and plastic areas. If an area does get a little grimy, I'll spray that area with a little Simple Green first. Have done this for years. __________________

06-05-2016, 06:09 PM	#14
Glintify Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 78	I used simple green mixed with water and scrubbed with a brush everywhere and then dried it with a microfiber towel . Did the job well __________________ Speed is Life..

06-04-2016, 07:08 PM	#2
Dimitrim Dimitri Drives: 68 GTO 455 Ram Air; 2014 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Novato, California Posts: 602 View My Garage	I am not a fan of using any water in the engine compartment. Too many very expensive, sensitive electrical stuff. I will use Windex, spray it on a paper towel and wipe. Spray it on an old tooth brush for the dirtier areas. I would not use Meguiars mirror bright in your engine compartment. Only use a pure 100% silicon spray. http://www.amazon.com/CRC-05074-Sili...+silicon+spray I use it on my hoses, spark plug wires, any thing black plastic like fuse covers in the engine compartment.

06-04-2016, 07:10 PM	#3
bigwayne3000 Drives: 2011 Camaro LS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 1,917	Since everything is stock and you don't need to worry about any open CAI or anything, feel free to go at it with water and soap. I used Adams all purpose cleaner myself but you can use whatever you want. Everything is pretty well sealed in terms of not needing to worry about water damage, I just wouldn't use high pressure and just use a small stream. YOu don't need to go crazy with the water. You could also just use a rinseless wash like Adams rineless wash which you just spray on and wipe off without the need for water. Personally I'd give it a good water cleaning first then do the follow ups with the rineless stuff as needed.

06-04-2016, 08:34 PM	#7
Mike J Drives: 2015 Topless Btch RS Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Montreal...Land of mostly Mustangs Posts: 577 View My Garage	Showed the vid to wife she seems to think I need to use a boars hair brush myself.....not impressed

06-05-2016, 01:36 PM	#9
49North1LE Drives: 2015 2SS/RS 1LE G7C, Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Western Canada Posts: 147	Compressed air will blow any water that finds a hiding place or could sit and form water spots. I always give the engine bay a good blast after rinsing.

06-05-2016, 02:36 PM	#11
LS3_Dave Drives: 2014 2SS/RS LS3 Red Hot Join Date: May 2016 Location: AZ Posts: 11	Awesome thank you all for the great tips! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk