[peaceindriving]

For those who keep their car longer than a lease period, does anyone clean their engine bay? Does it provide any benefit other than aesthetics and that feeling of “newness” again? Do you clean it yourself and any tips to give or just pay a detailer? I’ve put over 21k miles since Feb 2022 and it’s my daily commuter. Of course we all see those show cars with sparkling engines or the new delivered car, but is it necessary for this type car ?

[MPR]

Originally Posted by peaceindriving

For those who keep their car longer than a lease period, does anyone clean their engine bay? Does it provide any benefit other than aesthetics and that feeling of “newness” again? Do you clean it yourself and any tips to give or just pay a detailer? I’ve put over 21k miles since Feb 2022 and it’s my daily commuter. Of course we all see those show cars with sparkling engines or the new delivered car, but is it necessary for this type car ?

I've cleaned my previous cars engine bay. It's not a lot of work and I see no harm in keeping it looking pristine.

[Coconut]

I use compressed air every few months to blow off the majority of the dust in the engine bay, then use a damp towel to clean off actual dirt when needed.

[peaceindriving]

[QUOTE=Coconut;30285367]I use compressed air every few months to blow off the majority of the dust in the engine bay, then use a damp towel to clean off actual dirt when needed.

Thanks!! Never thought about that and it seems safe. Any mild degreaser to dampen the towe, Diluted dawn dish soap, vinegar or…? The YT videos where people spray down the engine bay with a garden hose is insane….yikes!

[BG42]

Typically use whatever microfiber I wiped door jams down with to simply wet and wipe the engine bay down if the engine is cool maybe some quick detailer. Like anything in life if you stay on top of it with some minimal effort it usually will keep pretty nice.

[MPR]

I've used diluted simple green in the past, just avoid spraying directly on electrical components.

[TJZ67201]

I keep mine pristine. Only have to hit it with a quick detailer usually once a month to keep it in check. I also ceramic coated all the metals, plastics, etc in the engine bay bc I am crazy 😝

If it gets bad you can use a hose nozzle to spray it down after agitating with some APC. I would recommend avoiding a pressure washer and to leave the engine cover on as it covers a lot of wiring and the alternator. Blow dry if possible.

[peaceindriving]

I got a good chuckle. The fact you ceramic coated the metals and plastics is hilarious and just a tad crazy 😜 !

[XC3LLR8]

If I'm at home I'll spray some synthetic detailer - like Chemical Guys - on a clean microfiber cloth and simply wipe down everything I can reach.

If I'm at the carwash I'll use their pile of clean microfiber towels, along with a few squirts of their complimentary glass cleaner on the towel, this is usually the last thing I wipe down (gives engine a little while to cool).

I try to keep my cleaning simple and fairly quick, and this works well for me if it's not neglected for too long.

[peaceindriving]

Originally Posted by XC3LLR8

If I'm at home I'll spray some synthetic detailer - like Chemical Guys - on a clean microfiber cloth and simply wipe down everything I can reach.

If I'm at the carwash I'll use their pile of clean microfiber towels, along with a few squirts of their complimentary glass cleaner on the towel, this is usually the last thing I wipe down (gives engine a little while to cool).

I try to keep my cleaning simple and fairly quick, and this works well for me if it's not neglected for too long.

I can’t go through a carwash any longer since my car is BSM, first and likely last, b/c of all the upkeep. Though looks amazing when clean.

[XC3LLR8]

Originally Posted by peaceindriving

I can’t go through a carwash any longer since my car is BSM, first and likely last, b/c of all the upkeep. Though looks amazing when clean.

Yep, there's really no better-looking color than clean black. But having had a black GT500 I can never do that again.

Now I have a monthly membership to a tunnel carwash 5 mins from the house and I haven't looked back! Haters gonna hate