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The ultimate car engine detailing tips and tricks

A detailed car engine elates the resale value of your car. It is a well-known fact that people who take out time and put efforts to detail their engines also take better care of their cars.

Detailers and mechanics too will realize that a clean engine belongs to someone who cares for their car, and this drives them to take the time to do the repair or service work correctly.

Engine detailing is nothing more than cleaning the exterior of the engine and the engine compartment and applying dressing to protect and beautify the engine. It is very easy to execute and does not require more than 45 minutes to an hour every few months.

The ultimate guide to detail your car’s engine

  1. Start with removing excess debris that gets trapped in your hood, grille, and vent openings. This is specifically true if you live in an open area and are a frequent driver. Removing the debris, in the beginning, is a good idea as it acts as a warm-up for the thorough process of detailing.
  2. If you have compressed air available, it can be used to remove old leaves, insects, and so on. If you do not have it, a simple hand brush will suffice. Often there are air pockets in hard-to-reach spots. To remove this water, spray the area with compressed air.
  3. The next imperative step is to protect your car’s engine from getting wet. You must cover all the sensors, the distributor, spark plug openings, and any electrical devices that have the potential for water accumulation which could actually cause a short circuit.
    1.  Use plastic bags to cover these items. Make it a point to use tape or rubber bands to hold the plastic bags in place.
    2. You do not want them to discard when you are making use of water. You are only trying to prevent the majority of the water from getting in; it need not be watertight.
    3. The environment of the engine should already be waterproof. The plastic bags are just a precaution. You can never be too careful.
  4. To loosen the grease accumulated on your engine and the engine compartment, start your engine and allow it to warm for a few minutes.
    The optimum temperature for cleaning your engine should be warm to the touch, not hot. If you are able to hold your hand to the engine without getting burnt, then the temperature is just about ideal.
  5. Aluminum foil is an excellent wrap to protect engine components. This works for spray-cleaning, painting, and washing. This works for spray cleaning, painting, and washing. The aluminum foil is easily molded around parts to keep them covered. Since the foil fits tightly, it does not hamper your view or make it hard to get into tight spots.

    It is faster and cheaper to use than tape and fits perfectly around awkward shapes better than rags and papers.

  6. Applying an engine degreaser is vital. After warming the engine and protecting sensitive areas, you are ready to apply your engine degreaser. Although they are quick and easy, do not use harsh petroleum-based cleaners in the engine compartment.

    They quickly cut through grease and grime, and also damage your rubber and vinyl components. Additionally, they are detrimental to the environment. As an alternative, you can make use of citrus or water-based cleaner. When applying an engine degreaser, it is best to start from the lower areas and work your way up. This prevents the degreaser from dripping on you as you clean the underside areas.

  7. The engine degreaser will remove the wax from the paintwork of your car. If you get degreaser over-spray on your fenders, plan on re-waxing these areas.
  8. Use a degreaser on the top side of your engine. Good degreasers are strong enough to cut through the heavy grease and dirt, but some scrubbing is necessary to remove the remaining dirt film.
  9. Try to do the detailing job in the morning. The car gets a good time to cool down all night. Hence, it is ideal for working on it. Never work on a hot engine.
  10. Always work from the top to the bottom. To get the best cleaning, we always apply water from the top to going down. This procedure rinses the dirt off and onto the ground.
  11. Likewise, always dry your vehicle from the top of the engine. The drying should be done with the help of a microfiber towel.
  12. Once the engine is free of dirt and debris, apply a sealant or wax to get a deep shine. Many people skip this step as they fail to understand the significance of a sealant. Avoid making this mistake and apply a sealant.
  13. Perform a detailing every three to six months. Doing so avoids dirt buildup and keeps the job simple. We want the process to be as short and quick as possible. Regular engine bay details are the best way to ensure things never get out of hand.

Be sure to make use of these life-saving tips when detailing the engine of your car.

Engine detailing can be a tedious process that needs to be done with utmost care. To avoid damages, we recommend you get a complete car detailing service from Ultrakool. Our experts will bring your car to its best possible shape.