Cleaning

[dataguy]

Any detailing tips for routine cleaning of the engine bay, also of the exhaust tips?

 

[scottdk]

Any detailing tips for routine cleaning of the engine bay, also of the exhaust tips?

When I want to clean up the engine bay, I just use Meguires interior cleaner. There is so much plastic these days under the hood, it make make all the black plastic look great. Just like new

For the exhaust tips, I just wash them with my Mr. Clean car wash when I'm actually washing the car. I have the MagnaFlow tips and they come really clean this way. Not too sure about the stock tips, but they would more then likely clean up just fine while washing the car.

 

[TJPark01]

Honey which one cleans the steering wheel thingy?

 

[TJPark01]

Any detailing tips for routine cleaning of the engine bay, also of the exhaust tips?

There is gonna be a lot of grease and dust that settles in that area. Scott mentioned Quick detailer, which is fine if it's not that dirty, but if it's nasty in there you are gonna need something stronger like a degreaser. I would read this forum on Meguiars, where people are pretty obsessive about detailing, you can learn a lot.
Engine Compartment Detailing

 

[scottdk]

There is gonna be a lot of grease and dust that settles in that area. Scott mentioned Quick detailer, which is fine if it's not that dirty, but if it's nasty in there you are gonna need something stronger like a degreaser. I would read this forum on Meguiars, where people are pretty obsessive about detailing, you can learn a lot.
Engine Compartment Detailing

What I really meant was for most engines the spray Armor all or Meguiars is great. I've used a degreaser before, but really in my opinon it should only be used on an engine that has sprayed oil all over the place, such as an old ass car/truck, say from the 80's or older. I think you know what I mean guys right?

 

[TJPark01]

What I really meant was for most engines the spray Armor all or Meguiars is great. I've used a degreaser before, but really in my opinon it should only be used on an engine that has sprayed oil all over the place, such as an old ass car/truck, say from the 80's or older. I think you know what I mean guys right?

I hear you, this car is too new, but I guess the termanology is being misunderstood. A degreaser can really be anything. Dawn, Formula 409, these are both degreasers, what you may be thinking of is that Gunk stuff you spay on old cars, before you wash the engine bay. The problem with quick detailer and other milder products is that they are mainly water based and are too mild for some of the grime in the engine bay. I would start with that and then work my way to more aggressive cleaners, then a dressing to add shine and protection.
from least to most aggressive...

 

[GripperDon]

Good advice TJ !

 

[TJPark01]

If you are in SoCal, (Dataguy), I highly recommend taking the Detailing 101 class at Meguiars HQ in Irvine, CA. It will educate as well as horrify you. Off the top of my head there may be about 20(?) different surfaces on your car, that all need specific chemicals and applicators/brushes to clean, polish and protect. It's easy to misuse chemicals, if you're using windex to clean the headlight housing...fail.

 

[wallymn]

I hate you all ....not really

It was -14 yesterday.... I can't drive 50 feet without my car getting covered in salt/sand/ice/mud......

 

[TJPark01]

I hate you all ....not really

It was -14 yesterday.... I can't drive 50 feet without my car getting covered in salt/sand/ice/mud......

It was almost 80 here LA today. I still have to rock the sunblock in Jan, the sun here is relentless. There is a price to pay for this. There is water rationing here, you get fined if you use too much. It has rained maybe 6 times here since I moved in April, it just aint right. There has to be a happy medium...

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[scottdk]

The problem with quick detailer and other milder products is that they are mainly water based and are too mild for some of the grime in the engine bay. I would start with that and then work my way to more aggressive cleaners, then a dressing to add shine and protection.
from least to most aggressive...

What grime? I'm def not stating you are wrong, but I've owned cars that were old, and had no need for anything more. If it had Oil or "grease" on the block you had other problems and didn't need a degreaser Anything in normal working condition (as a Hyundai Genesis) imo doesn't need overboard. Maybe I'm just behind on the times.........

 

[TJPark01]

What grime? I'm def not stating you are wrong, but I've owned cars that were old, and had no need for anything more. If it had Oil or "grease" on the block you had other problems and didn't need a degreaser Anything in normal working condition (as a Hyundai Genesis) imo doesn't need overboard. Maybe I'm just behind on the times.........

I guess a lot of it has to do with your definition of clean. Personally, I don't pay too much attention to the engine compartment, as I am more concerned with what's going on inside the engine then the appearance of it. Others, like dealers and show car folks want that engine bay to be spotless. If you take off the engine cover of the V8, it's pretty dusty, this bothers some people. It really depends on your level of detail (neurosis).

 

[scottdk]

I guess a lot of it has to do with your definition of clean. Personally, I don't pay too much attention to the engine compartment, as I am more concerned with what's going on inside the engine then the appearance of it. Others, like dealers and show car folks want that engine bay to be spotless. If you take off the engine cover of the V8, it's pretty dusty, this bothers some people. It really depends on your level of detail (neurosis).

Looks nice

 

[Resnuncio]

Time for a dumb question -- I have read all the ideas here for cleaning the exterior. I decided to purchase the Wolfgang Deep Sealant and the Quick Detailing. After the first application of the sealant (I guess during the 4 - 6 months that it's supposed to last), is it better to just use the quick detailing to clean the exterior or wash the car fully (but not reapplying the Sealant)?

 

[TJPark01]

Time for a dumb question -- I have read all the ideas here for cleaning the exterior. I decided to purchase the Wolfgang Deep Sealant and the Quick Detailing. After the first application of the sealant (I guess during the 4 - 6 months that it's supposed to last), is it better to just use the quick detailing to clean the exterior or wash the car fully (but not reapplying the Sealant)?

Not a dumb question. There will be a lot of variation to how long sealants will last depending on environment, whether the car is kept in a garage, and how often you wash your car. Wolfgang makes really good products, but they are very expensive. To answer your question, it really depends how dirty the car is, as well as your expectations. Assuming you're not in a freezing climate, I would use the quick detailer as a maintenance product in between washes. But if it rains, then I am more apt to wash the car the traditional method afterwards.
What I do is use the california duster to remove surface dirt on the car, then use the quick detailer on the entire car including the rims. I got away with this for 4 months and didn't wash the car once, but I also live in the desert and both work and home have indoor garages.
Once the detailer starts getting harder to remove easily (smearing instead of beading, and more pressure needed to remover it), you know the sealant or wax is starting to fade.

 

[wallymn]

Yesterday I was using a shop floor broom to break the ice/snow pack out of the wheels and lower body moldings (MN version of pre-wash ). So the car wash could wash the car rather than the snow pack/ice.....

After the wash you have to use a HIGH compression hose to blow out the water before it freezes to the car (not a problem on the body but adds a LOT of weight to the wheels and causes problems)

 

[Resnuncio]

Thanks for the information. I live in the Texas Gulf Coast area (not much freezing weather - except recently). I picked up my car on Friday (after the freezing weather - Black 09, Black/Saddle, with Tech package. I will check Autogeek for the california duster (not sure what it is). I don't anticipate driving the car for extended periods of time. I still have my 2000 Acura TL for my 60+ mile (roundtrip) commute.

 

[TJPark01]

Thanks for the information. I live in the Texas Gulf Coast area (not much freezing weather - except recently). I picked up my car on Friday (after the freezing weather - Black 09, Black/Saddle, with Tech package. I will check Autogeek for the california duster (not sure what it is). I don't anticipate driving the car for extended periods of time. I still have my 2000 Acura TL for my 60+ mile (roundtrip) commute.

Autogeek is great, I just got something from them yesterday. I have the biggest California duster, they come in many different sizes. I usually use that every three days or so, then use the spray detailer and a couple microfiber towels, it looks car wash fresh. It's all about maintenance. If you do a little here and there, you can go a long way in between washes. Yeah I have a 1995 Lexus LS with 125k miles on it, it runs beautifully, and I use that if i'm going to a baseball game, or the market, any place with a big parking lot full of unruly traffic. Let me know if you have any more detailing questions, I do it as a hobby, although the mrs. thinks it's more of an obsession.

 

[dataguy]

I will check Autogeek for the california duster (not sure what it is).

http://www.calcarduster.com/originalDuster.asp

I have one, and I swear by it too.

 

[TJPark01]

http://www.calcarduster.com/originalDuster.asp

I have one, and I swear by it too.

Yeah it's awesome. Useless for people in Minnesota, sorry wally and scott. But for fair weather folks it's the lazy man's car wash. Also, for light cars the dirt doesn't show up that much. I have a black car and dirt shows up seconds after I was it. Although I love the color, trying to keep it clean is like chasing around a 2 year old... Never ending.