Detailing Engine Compartment

[kenz240z]

Eastwood sells several different paints that duplicate various plating, such as cadmium and zinc. They also have paint for alternator housings, carbs, etc... that is supposed to make them look new. I've used the cadmium paint, it consists of 3 different colors: red, green & gold. I used it on all the brake hard lines, fuel lines, hood prop, accelerator linkage, etc... and it turned out great. Not as good looking as re-plating, but a heck of a lot cheaper, & not that noticable to the untrained eye!

For cleaning aluminum parts (intake, carbs, alternator, etc...) I have used steel wire brushes and also brass wire brushes. Harbor Freight sells the ones that are toothbrush sized, perfect for cleaning in tight spots.

[TomoHawk]

Tomohawk,

With you entering shows, etc...could you please take a good picture of your engine compartment for this guy and put it in your gallery with a link to it in here? I think he'd like it.

To be honest, my engine area isn't as pristine as you might think. I focus on the mechanical stuff, not the looks. All I do is clean it with some tire spray, and if I see any grime, I clean that off too. You don't see anything shiny under there, and that's why I lose major points at car shows. It seems people think that all the parts on sporty car engines are chromed! I'll eventually get the dizzy and alternator out to clean, and I'll only give them a light scuff with some steel wool.

And don't forget about all those cad-plated parts that are corroded by now. They are still a little shiny, but not like the chrome stuff you see on muscle cars.

Even the paint isn't the way these "judges" expect it to be. My car was a dark brown under the hood originally, so I keep it that way. If I did a total restore job I might repaint it something glossy, only so the dirt washes off easily.

I think the pictures that are already included in this topic are about the best you'll get. There's no way to get a "picture" of an engine area. You'll want a video or a whole bunch of stills of specific places to show your point.

thx