Get your engine clean and running cool

Many people have clean looking cars on the outside and some keep the inside just as clean. But one of the areas that is forgotten the most is the engine compartment, the workhorse of the automobile. Many times I have popped the hood on a beautifully detailed vehicle only to find the engine covered in dirt and grease. Besides being an eyesore, the engine will not run as cool as it would if all the parts were free or dirt and grime. If properly done, the engine detail can be painless to do and create and engine compartment that is pleasing to the eye.

After the wheels have been tackled and the door jambs have been cleaned, I the tackle the engine compartment. The reason I tackle this next is similar to why you clean the door jambs before the exterior of the vehicle, you don't want to get grease and dirt all over your freshly cleaned paint.

The first thing I like to do is start the vehicle up for about 10 minutes or so to get the engine compartment warm. Warming up the engine compartment will help loosen up the grease and dirt and therefore making it easier to clean the grease off. T prepare the engine compartment by using tinfoil for cover up the starter area, be careful of the hotwire to the starter and wrap the alternator tightly with tinfoil. The reason I use tinfoil is that it doesn't melt and it is easily molded to cover up sensitive areas. For those with aftermarket intakes you should disassemble the air filter and block off the intake. I then liberally spray a strong solution of APC from a pump sprayer, or garden sprayer. I tend to use pump sprayers are they save on time and on your hands from repeatedly pumping a hand sprayer. Try to get in all the nooks and crannies and along the troughs of the engine compartment.

After the APC has had time to work away at the grease, it is time to start scrubbing at the exposed areas with a stiff bristled brush. For the harder to reach areas, use a stick or screwdriver and wrap the end with a microfiber towel and agitate the hard to reach areas. Once everything that can be scrubbed or agitated, spray the entire engine compartment with a steady stream of water. My advice is to not use a power washer as it may force water and other foreign matter into the various electrical connections. The rubber gaskets in the connections keep water out but could fail if water is blasted at them at a high velocity.

After the engine has been rinsed, give it a quick dry with a towel and spray your favourite dressing on all the plastic parts. After you have completed the whole car, check the engine compartment again to see that the dressing has the look you desire for the engine plastics.

Time to start washing, the little things

After you are prepared and ready to go you can now start washing the automobile. For those who have a pressure washer, you are off to a better start than those that don't. A pressure washer is a great investment not only for detailing but for performing other chores around the house as well. Although I didn't include in the list of things to have, as it is not absolutely necessary for doing a good job, but it does make life a lot easy and further reduces the risk of scratching the paint.

The first step in washing is giving the rims and tires a quick spray with non acid wheel cleaner for the rims and a good APC for the tires. A word of caution, some APC's have been known to brown tires, it is always best to test any product out before liberally spraying anywhere on the automobile. I have also stated the used of non-acid wheel cleaner as those containing acid, if regularly used can cause premature failure of various brake system parts (ie rotors, pads and calipers). After all the rims and tires have been sprayed, let the chemicals dwell and it is time to start cleaning the door jambs and hinges. The door jamb is the surface that is between the door and the interior than tends to collect a lot of dirt and grease form the exterior.

Spray some APC liberally on the door jambs and any grimy spot along the way. The reason for attacking the door jambs now rather than after the car has been washed is that all the hard work cleaning the outside will likely have to be done again as the dirt and grime from the door jams will spill out on to the exterior paint. Let the mixture dwell for a few minutes then agitate with a soft bristled brush of microfiber towel. Once the paint starts to look clean again rinse liberally with water by hose or power washer and towel off to ensure the area is clean.

After the door jambs are clean, you can then see to the wheels. Give the rims and tires another shot of water with the hose and agitated the chemicals with a wheel brush for the inner rim surface, a soft bristled brush for the outer rim surface and agitate the tires with a stiff bristled brush. Depend in the condition of the rims and tires, it may take more than one attempt to get them clean. Rinse the wheel and respray with chemicals again and continue of to another wheel. Once you have done the three wheels you can attack the dirty ones again, following the same steps as before, agitate and rinse.

Once the rims and tires are clean, you can then put on your favourite tire dressing. Tire manufactures tell consumers to stick to water based dressings as the solvents in solvent based dressings are said to leech out the UV protectants that are manufactured into the tires. Taking out these protectants could lead to premature tire failure and so it is suggested that consumers stick to water based dressings. Some dressings are said to have UV protectants in them, thus helping extend the life of the tire rubber so this may be something to consider when picking a tire dressing for your vehicle.

Getting Prepared for the Wash

The idea behind this post is to give the reader an idea of how to get ready to wash their vehicle. I will explain some of the often overlooked aspects of washing a vehicle. As with anything in life, proper preparation for the task at hand is key to getting excellent results. Poor preparation will lead to mistakes and wasting time that would have been better utilized if the proper preparation was taken.

The first thing to do is a check to make sure you have all the tools and products that you will need in order to complete the wash job. Lay everything out so that you know that there isn't anything missing. Once you are sure you have everything, start by filling the first of the two wash buckets. Once the first bucket is about 2/3 full, add around 2-4 oz of automotive shampoo and continue filling the bucket until it is about 3/4 full. Adding the shampoo after the bucket has been partially filled will mean that the soap will be better mixed in the bucket and you won't waste any from the bucket foaming over the sides.

Proceed with filling the second bucket with straight water. I mentioned in the items to have, a thing called a Grit Guard. These are plastic inserts that allow dirt to settle at the bottom of the wash bucket and prevent dirt from being sloshed around in the wash water. When washing your vehicle dirt is the enemy and anything that can be done to prevent dirt from touching the vehicle should be done.

After the water is ready I then put the drying towels on the driver and passenger's seat (dry towels). I do this to prevent them from hitting the pavement and getting contaminated with dirt and so that they are close at hand when it is time to dry the vehicle.

After everything is accounted for and you have the buckets ready for washing you can begin cleaning your automobile.

Basic Things You Will Need to Get Started

This is a very basic list of things you will need in order to do a proper job detailing your automobile.

1. Wet/Dry Vacuum
2. 2 5 gallon buckets
3. 2 Grit Guards
4. Wash Mitt/ Wash Sponge/Shmitt
5. Automotive shampoo
6. All Purpose Cleaner
7. Glass Cleaner
8. Vinyl Dressing/ UV protectant
9. 1 soft bristled/flagged tip brush
10. 1 stiff bristled brush
11. wheel brush
12. Wheel cleaner non-acid
13. Microfiber towels/ Drying towel
14. Automotive Clay
15. Automotive Wax (Last Step Product LSP)

This is a very basic list of things to get started. As with anything else, the sky is the limit for how much you could spend buying equipment and supplies. Later posts will examine other products and equipment that can be added to your arsenal, but for now this list will give you the basics for getting started. This blog may give examples for products, but the products you may use will likely differ due to availability,budget or personal preference.

The start of great things to come

The idea behind this blog is to create a comprehensive how-to guide to automotive detailing. It is a how-to guide with in depth pictures and processes that will explain how to properly detail an automobile, large or small. I hope that many people will contribute to the blog to create a very detail oriented guide which should answer any questions anyone has about detailing and detailing related items.