Engine compartment spruce up

[Joe R.]

I could use some ideas on how to spruce up the engine compartment on my 66. The engine is out right now. The front clip needs to be replaced due to front end collision damage. But I'm not going to replace it at this time. What do you all suggest?

Thanks,
Joe

[Bruce C.]

Re: Engine compartment spruce up

Joe, go here:

http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/80226-engine-cleaning-detailing.html

Lots of photos. Good luck.

[Joe R.]

Re: Engine compartment spruce up

Bruce,

Thanks for the ideas. That's enough to get started.

I was thinking about getting a steam cleaner at Harbor Freight. Would a steam cleaner obliterate any original markings?

Joe

[Don W.]

Re: Engine compartment spruce up

Here's another one to look at....Don

http://www.autogeek.net/engine-guide.html

[Bruce C.]

Re: Engine compartment spruce up

Joe, I don't think I'd use steam.

Read the posts on these detailing sites carefully and I think you'll discover they shy away from steam, relying more on the various products in concert with soap and water.

Be careful with scrubbing on all hand-applied markings as they are quite delicate, in my experience.

[Joe R.]

Re: Engine compartment spruce up

Bruce,

Sounds good, I'll stay away from steam.

Joe

[Joe R.]

Re: Engine compartment spruce up

What markings should I be careful with in the engine compartment?

Joe

[Steven B.]

Re: Engine compartment spruce up

I use either warm soap and water with toothbrush and soft cloth to maintain markings but if there are no markings in the immediate area or original paint that may come off I just use my power washer, first on low pressure to see if that removes grease and soil. If not I use higher pressure, but this is usually only in the areas around zerks. On the front crossmembers of my '77 and '78 since I have FE-7 markings I just carefully wiped around them.

If using a power washer spray in the direction from the painted surface to the area where the paint has chipped off, don't spray from chipped surface to painted or the paint will peal off very easily. I learned that on a Datsun 1600!