*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***

[[TW]Fox]

what difference does the b22 bit make?

B22 = 2.2
B30 = 3.0

I'd clean it but I am paranoid of it blowing up, catching fire and killing itself if I get it all wet.

 

[mrk]

Get someone else to clean it so you can blame them

 

[Howard]

Don't spray a hosepipe right into the engine bay and you'll be fine

 

[Tom|Nbk]

B22 = 2.2
B30 = 3.0

I'd clean it but I am paranoid of it blowing up, catching fire and killing itself if I get it all wet.

You don't throw buckets of water into the bay, you use common sense and a damp cloth and slowly rub away at the dust rinse and repeat. Then apply some vinyl car onto a cloth and do the same.

 

[wassap]

Keep it running when you clean it, spray some Gunk or APC on it and scrub or wipe it all off, did mine once before I sold it, its easier with newer cars with all their plastic crap everywhere, older cars were a mare.

Its one of those areas where its a lot of effort but does make you feel good once you have done it, and then it dawns on you......what a waste of time

 

[Tom|Nbk]

what a waste of time

It's not really once you get the baked off crap that's been there years. Then you can just give it a quick wipe down of surface dust once a month to keep it looking top shape

Mine actually wasn't too bad after 7 years and 130k so I doubt it will be getting dirty anytime soon.

 

[Matt82]

B22 = 2.2
B30 = 3.0

I'd clean it but I am paranoid of it blowing up, catching fire and killing itself if I get it all wet.

aaah i get ya.


as for cleaning it, take the plastic covers off and clean them away from the engine bay. even easier

 

[Princey]

What would you guys recommend for under the wheel arches and hinges? Would I just spray the recommended substance onto the area for cleaning and then jetwash/hose off?

 

[Firestar_3x]

Those BMW engines look like an utter pig to work on. Half of it is hidden!

Nope thats the whole engine, BMW had to put a huge plastic cover at the front to hide the huge hole due to not having a 6 pot.

 

[mrk]

What would you guys recommend for under the wheel arches and hinges? Would I just spray the recommended substance onto the area for cleaning and then jetwash/hose off?

Arches etc will get mucky by default so spending time with post-wash cleaning products will be a waste of money. Just keep them in good condition by cleaning arches and hinges with a shampoo laden sponge then rinse off.

The idea is to stop dirt from depositing and building up leading to rot and corrosion underneath!

 

[Scottland]

I use an All Purpose Cleaner, and a range of brushes before rinsing off.

With regards to the specific cleaner, you can use a wide range of Supermarket branded APC's, or more car specific ones such as Meguiar's APC or Bilt Hamber SurfexHD.

 

[Toker]

Arches etc will get mucky by default so spending time with post-wash cleaning products will be a waste of money. Just keep them in good condition by cleaning arches and hinges with a shampoo laden sponge then rinse off.

The idea is to stop dirt from depositing and building up leading to rot and corrosion underneath!

you could say the same about wheels, but everyone knows that isn't true.

for arches, something like megs all season dressing will lay down a nice layer to look nice, help protect and make them easier to clean next time round

 

[Scottland]

Besides, an APC or something like Surfex can be used on all manner of things besides the arches.

 

[Princey]

Sorry what is APC? All Purpose cleaner?

 

[mrk]

My point was why you would need the arch insides to look nice? you never see them? they look rough anyway because they're not finished like the rest of the car as well unlike an alloy wheel or body panel.

If you wash weekly or bi-weekly then a quick rinse is all that’s needed from any decent hand jet sprinkler to rinse off mud and big deposits under there.

Also any sealant or protector you put on the metal parts will also be quickly washed away when driving in wet weather as the wheels rush water around the arch – In that respect you could say they clean themselves too if theirs no dried in mud or crap that’s not been rinsed off.

Like I said, the main reason to just scrub or wash the arches is to stop dirt from building up leading to corrosion and rot. Same goes for the boot lid recesses and bonnet.

Door hinges are painted and lacquered (boot and bonnet hinges /usually/ are not) so just clean those like you would any visible body panel.

 

[Toker]

it's called perfectionism

edit: here's all you need to know on arch cleaning

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=84017

 

[chrislusty]

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/chemical-guys-new-look-trim-gel/prod_143.html

Does anyone know if this be used in the engine bay? like on the engine cover, battery cover?

Cheers

 

[mrk]

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/chemical-guys-new-look-trim-gel/prod_143.html

Does anyone know if this be used in the engine bay? like on the engine cover, battery cover?

Cheers

Yes I posted pics about it before:

Before:

After:

 

[Toker]

it might well do, not sure if it leaves a tacky finish though which is a no go in the engine bay. The single best engine bay plastics product is:

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interior/303-aerospace-protectant/prod_366.html

 

[chrislusty]

Thanks mrk, and toker. I have got a used engine cover on the way, as my car didnt come with one, and a new battery cover coming, so i thought it would look better if both were clean before putting them on.

Once again thanks