Car Care & Detailing Guides

Using appropriate products and techniques gained from many years of experience, UF has published a series of car care guides with the car enthusiast in mind. With careful application and attention to detail, you too can correctly look after your car, make it look amazing and then keep it that way. Protecting your investment starts here …

Car Care & Detailing Guides Published by Ultimate Finish

2. Engine Bay Preparation

Engine bays tend to become greasy and oily quite quickly and grease and oil attract dirt and grime. Clean engines look more impressive to potential buyers than dirty engines, so keeping on top of the build-up is important. Additionally the cleaning process allows you to check for any obvious signs of wear, such as split hoses or damaged components.

2.1 Protecting Engine Bay Electrics
2.1 Protecting Engine Bay Electrics

The first part of any engine clean is to ensure all sensitive engine components are protected from water ingress.

Equipment:

  • Detailing tape
  • A few plastic carrier bags
  • Heavy duty cling film

What you need to cover:

  • Air intake – you don’t want water in the breathing pipes!
  • ECU – Electronic Control Unit – electricity and water do not mix.
  • Battery connections – just to prevent rust formation.
  • Electric plugs – electricity and water do not mix!
  • Alternator – it’s the electrical power house for your car.
  • Alarm housing – sensitive electronics tend to short circuit on contact with water.
  • Headlamp connections – you do not want water collecting inside the headlamp housing.

Method:

  • Step 1 – Make sure the engine is completely cool before attempting to wrap the components!
  • Step 2 – Using detailing tape and some cling film cover the smaller electrical components such as plugs, battery connections and connections for headlamps.
  • Step 3 – Larger items such as the ECU and alternator are more easily covered using plastic carrier bags. If the bags have holes punched in them, use two bags. Whilst the seal doesn’t have to be 100% water tight as the engine is not going to be immersed in water, you do not want to pour water directly in through one of those holes.
  • Step 4 – Remember, when covering the sensitive components the finished article does not have to look aesthetically pleasing – it’s better to have them wrapped properly and not risk mixing water into a vital part of the engine.

2.2 Engine Bay Cleaning & Drying
2.2 Engine Bay Cleaning & Drying

Engine bays are prone to becoming greasy and grimy. There are specific products available to clean these tough areas, usually called ‘engine cleaners’ or ‘engine bay degreasers’, but good All Purpose Cleaners (APC) will also work. Prior to starting an engine cleaning process it is absolutely vital to protect air intakes, the ECU and all electrical components using detailing tape and plastic shopping bags in order to prevent water damage to these sensitive items (see 2.1 Protecting Engine Bay Electrics)

Equipment:

  • Degreaser / APC in bottle with trigger spray head
  • Medium sized soft bristle brush
  • Small sized soft bristle brush
  • Microfibre drying towel(s)

Method:

  • Step 1 – Ensure engine and components are cool to the touch
  • Step 2 – Ensure air intake and electronic components are protected
  • Step 3 – Using a non-caustic degreaser spray the engine bay and engine, including the underside of the bonnet (unless soundproofing is present)
  • Step 4 – Allow to dwell for as long as the manufacturer recommends
  • Step 5 – Agitate with a soft-bristled brush to tackle any stubborn areas of grease
  • Step 6 – Using a spray / shower setting on a hose attachment, gently rinse off the engine bay. Do not use high pressure as this may force water and loosened contaminants in to the wrong areas!
  • Step 7 – Remove all the protective coverings from air intake and electrical components
  • Step 8 – Start your engine and leave it running for 2-3 minutes to encourage the engine surfaces to dry out
  • Step 9 – Switch the engine off and complete the drying process using clean microfibre towels

Browse Engine Bay Cleaners 

2.3 Engine Bay Dress and Protect
2.3 Engine Bay Dress and Protect

Engine bays hold a variety of materials – painted metal, unpainted metal, rubber hoses and plastic housings. Each requires a different type of dressing to nourish and protect their appearance.

Painted metal can be protected using a designated protectant, usually called an engine dressing. A non-silicon based dressing is best as these do not leave a residue to attract dirt and dust. There are a variety of engine bay dressing available and typically these require nothing more than spraying over the desired areas and a few minutes of curing time.

Unpainted metal should be protected with a specific treatment to discourage rust formation and to help prevent dirt from adhering to it. These treatments can typically be sprayed on to the area or applied with a brush and then left to cure for a few hours.

Rubber hoses should be protected with a product specifically designed for natural rubber, (rather than a plastics dressing as plastics are synthetic and therefore have different requirements).

Plastic housings should be treated with a plastics restorer. There are standard plastic dressings available which are simply sprayed on and buffed off, additionally there are nanotechnology-based coatings available.

Browse Engine Bay Dressings
Browse Plastic & Rubber Trim