Anyone clean out under the hood? Someone told me if I cover the electrical parts with plastic wrap I can shoot down the inside with a power washer and TSP. They also recommended this for under the car, as that is pretty dirty/dusty also...

Any suggestions/Ideas?

Thanks!

 

Get some plastic grocery bags and enough rubber bands to tie what you need and want covered.

I did it to my camaro before I sold it I covered the

fuse box
oil cap
tranny fluid cap
brake fluid
You can try and cover ignition cables that are behind the engine cover
Just try and cover as good as you can any electric wiring especially the connections you should be good

make sure if you pressure wash it that if you engine is hot or warm let it cool down. I've heard you can crack the engine block if your engine is to hot. it really doesnt seem likely to crack ur block just by that. I let mine cool down b4, better to be safe than sorry.

 

Cool water + hot block = probably not a good idea. Let the engine cool down before you do it. It'll also help keep down on the water spotting. When I washed my engine compartment, I just used my wash mitt after I finished the body, and used a gentle stream of water, keeping as much water as possible away from the electronic bits. Its made to be relatively water resistant, but if you're going to be pressure washing, then thats a different story...

 

I just use cleaning wipes and wipe everything down really good. I'm too paranoid to use a power washer under the hood.

 

I use Simple Green and a hose. Then Armour all the rubber bits. Looks like new under my hood. I just don't aim the hose directly at alternator and caps.
Kiiski

 

ive always washed my cars the same way: dont cover anything lol, do this before you go to bed or at a time when you can let it all dry for a while.

use all of 1 can of foaming stuff used for engine bays at autozone, let it sit for about 5-10 minutes then spray it down with a hose. nothing has ever happened to my cars doing it this way.

but i have never used high pressure. all of the stuff under there is sealed pretty good for harsh weather conditions, so i wouldnt worry about low pressure water.

 

same here ive cleaned my engine bay with just a hose and not covered anything

ive also used a power washer- and just stood back a little bit to


no problems :-)

 

Simple green and a hose...

 

I just clean it with a spray bottle of all purpose cleaner and a microfiber. I then use vinyl/rubber protectant on the hoses and plastics, Looks good as new.

 

you can use no wipe tire shine. it gives it a new appearence as well as keeps the hoses from craking. i did this on my silverado and never replaced a hose under the hood for 9 years...

 

You can also use some stuff called Trim Shine. It is great to use under the hood on the stuff when you are done wiping it down.

 

I just use my shammy when I am done washing the rest of my car and wipe it down good. I do like the simple green idea, but since I typically clean my car up and down once a week during summer, that wont be neccessary. That would work great when cleaning the car for the first time after winter!! GREAT IDEAS!!

 

Yeah I dont cover anything mean green and a hose. Then spray it all down with tire foam if you want it all nice and shine

 

I just spray MR CLEAN and hose, it works really good.