Engine/Engine Bay Surface Cleaning

[Sean piquet]

Would appreciate any comments on how to efficiently spruce up the engine bay surfaces (mostly the engine and all the ancillaries  rather than the panels) with everything in place other than parts that are very easily/quickly removed and refitted.

There has got to be a better way than tediously wiping over every single surface and item with a cloth and one or other cleaning agent.  In any event some spots are just too difficult to get at properly or at all.

For example, is there some efficient and inexpensive steam cleaner on the market that would help do the job that anyone has used and would recommend?

Would appreciate any views on this.   Apologies if this query has been raised 20 times previously.   Thanks.

[HEVEN67]

A large tub of elbow grease is what I use, try mag wheel cleaner but you made need to dilute it!

[blackbox]

If you stop cleaning it eventually the dirt wont get any worse:+
James.

[MustangNut]

Machinery is good but it all comes down to hard work.

degrease it first then don the gloves, a long bristled brush and some sugar soap in water and go for it.  It's a lot easier with the engine out though.

[66RedRagtop]

For the initial hard yards clean, it might be worth getting the engine bay professionally steam cleaned. It's not expensive.

See Car & Truck Cleaning Services in the Yellow Pages for your nearest operator, or to book a mobile service like the used car yards. A good steam clean on a hoist before restoring a car, including the diff, makes the strip down a much more pleasant task.

Or most equipment hire places will rent out a Gerni pressure cleaner, but this can be a messy job with gunk flying everywhere.

Or if it's not too bad, then cans of Spray Degreaser from Supacheap/$2 shops etc will do the trick. Just don't drown the carbie or dizzy when you hose it off. A plastic bag tied around each is the go. After you spray on the degreaser, use an old paint brush to loosen the caked on stuff before giving it a good squirt with the hose.

Then after the initial major clean you can identify and fix any oil leaks so as to keep it that way.

[Sean piquet]

Thanks for the comments gentlemen.
I have a karcher high pressure  cleaner which is excellent for many jobs but I don't want to use this or a garden hose in the engine compartment.  
Might  try a mobile steam cleaner though after some manual prepping.

By the way James, your comment was really helpful.  You apply the same rule to the outside of your car too don't you?  Isn't your stang painted wimbleton white?

[HEVEN67]

I thought Jaems car was Beast Black!
You can use water no probs but the mag wheel cleaner and a paint brush and hose brings them up dandy!