what should I use to clean the engine bay?

[Tim 76' 280Z]

Im just wanting to clean the walls and the motor to make things look cleaner. I dont want to pressure wash anything! Just does not seem right with this kind of car. I am also going to remove the surface rust from the battery tray then spray some undercoating down under the tray. Whats your thoughts...

[bobc]

Simple Green is great. Use a sponge and then clear water to wash it off. Can be done with a bucket of water or hose with no spray attachment.

Biodegradable Orange cleaner for stubborn grease

Wax with a cleaning component after simple green

Suggest you sand down rust and corrosion on the battery tray. Paint with POR-15 and then color match to engine compartment versus covering it with undercoating. If you just put undercoating over untreated metal it will trap moisture and accelerate future rust formation. Undercoating doesn't stop rust once it's started.

Edited April 21, 2009 by bobc

[WarrenZ]

If you have used POR 15 and have Marine Clean left over use that, I found it worked really well. Make sure you rinse well with water after.

Warren

[TomoHawk]

Good luck! You'll need some scrub brushes with handles ( like a vegetable brush) and maybe some plastic scouring pads. I got some cheap citrus cleaner at the dollar store that worked well. I have even tried some foaming wheel cleaner with good results (cleans paint & leaves it shiny-looking.)

Just don't do it on a nice driveway! Find a gravel area or go to the self-wash place.

Spray wax or ArmourAll is nice to use after it's clean.

[Tim 76' 280Z]

Thanks guys! I know this is going to be a messy process and a long one but it will have good results!

[TomoHawk]

Get a notepad handy when you do this, because you'll be finding all those 'little things' that will need attention later, like the brake line clamps, gas & brake hard lines, hoses, wire loom tape, etc.

[Galaxybj]

I have hand cleaned the engine compartment on both my Z's. It is time consuming, but it does let you spot areas/items that need attention (as mentioned above). Once done it is pretty much a wipe down when doing oil/filter changes to keep it looking good, especially if you apply a wax to it.

[Mn_Z_Man]

Lacquer thinner works great for getting the yellowish varnish off, just watch the sparks and prop the door open. Also a much better degraser than gas or mineral spirit and evaporates with no residue, ready to paint

[five&dime]

Do not use lacquer thinner on your 33 yr old paint please. It will damage it. That is what I use to clean my paint gun and remove all paint residue not to be used for cleaning your engine bay.

Edited April 30, 2009 by five&dime

[Tim 76' 280Z]

Do not use lacquer thinner on your 33 yr old paint please. It will damage it. That is what I use to clean my paint gun and remove all paint residue not to be used for cleaning your engine bay.

Yeah I Know. I use Lacquer thinner here at work and I know that it will destroy the paint and make it a much larger mess then it is now.

[motorman7]

Someone here earlier recommended that spray on mag cleaner for the engine (and trans housing). I used it and it works better than any engine cleaner I have ever used.

[Tim 76' 280Z]

Someone here earlier recommended that spray on mag cleaner for the engine (and trans housing). I used it and it works better than any engine cleaner I have ever used.

So would you just use that for the motor or the walls and hood as well?