Cleaning the engine bay

[celdridge]

Ok ... sorry for the stupid question ... but here is my situation. Recently a lady backed her truck up into my car and messed up the whole drivers side door and moldings. The body shop took about 4 weeks to get everything fixed and painted, but it look like when they painted they did not seal off the engine bay. I have a powder residue all over my engine bay. I have been trying to wipe it all off for a few days now, but cant seems to get in all the nooks and crannys. Is there something that i can use to spray down the entire engine bay (that will not hurt anything). Or is it just a lot more towling and elbow grease?

 

[jersey_emt]

Try some Simple Green.

 

[celdridge]

Try some Simple Green.

I did use some of that on a rag last night ... but it gets really sticky.

 

[jersey_emt]

Just spray it all over the engine bay, wait a few minutes, hose it down, and use a rag to wipe off the places the hose didn't reach.

 

[celdridge]

Just spray it all over the engine bay, wait a few minutes, hose it down, and use a rag to wipe off the places the hose didn't reach.

Isnt water a bad thing for the engine bay ?

 

[jersey_emt]

When it rains, water gets all over the engine bay, it splashes up!

If you're really anal, just cover up the battery terminals and spark plug sockets with plastic.

 

[celdridge]

When it rains, water gets all over the engine bay, it splashes up!

If you're really anal, just cover up the battery terminals and spark plug sockets with plastic.

Im not into anal ... so ill just hose the beast down ... i guess i should take off my air filter first since i dont want it getting soaked. (aem cai)

 

[z00mer]

I had the same overspray problems as well, when I had to repaint my front bumper on my Celica All-Trac. I found that a majority of the over spray came off if I just soaked it w/ WD-40, and used a little elbow grease as well as a soft bristle toothbrush. After I got a majority of it off, I sprayed the whole bay w/ Simple Green, and let it soak for 30 min. Then just hosed it off. And afterwards....towel dry.

I hope this helps you somewhat. Just remember it's going to take a little time and patience.(thumb)

 

[mp5smuggler]

cover up the fuse box air filter and be careful round the plugs and youll be fine. i use simple green and a pressure washer on mine and no troubles yet

 

[mspdfreak]

If it's paint residue all over your engine bay, I doubt simple green will help. I imagine you'd have to use something more in line with a solvent. If it's just "body-shop" dust, it should do a pretty good job. However, be ready to bust some ass either way. This s*** isn't just going to hose off. Good Luck.

 

[mp5smuggler]

yea scrubbing will be a way of life for a while

 

[celdridge]

If it's paint residue all over your engine bay, I doubt simple green will help. I imagine you'd have to use something more in line with a solvent. If it's just "body-shop" dust, it should do a pretty good job. However, be ready to bust some ass either way. This s*** isn't just going to hose off. Good Luck.

It seems to be just paint dust ... its all dry ... not adheared to anything ... just like a fine silver dust.

 

[|3utters]

Heres an idea take it back to the shop and b**** about it.
They should'nt be so neglagent in the first place and they
should be responsible for cleaning it.

 

[celdridge]

Heres an idea take it back to the shop and b**** about it.
They should'nt be so neglagent in the first place and they
should be responsible for cleaning it.

I already talked to them about it ... they were more than willing to clean it for me ... i just dont have time to drive over to their shop and wait around for them to do it. I want to take my hardpipes off and polish them at the same time anyway.

 

[BOOSTR]

If its just sanding dust, soap and water will get it off. If its paint overspray, only lacquer thinner will get it off. Simple green eats paint and other finish. But its great at getting rid of grease.

Sorry bud, but you have some elbow time ahead of you.

 

[griswold]

Just do it when everything is cool. If it's hot you can crack things with the heat transfer from the cold water.

 

[Swerny]

bag your alternator before spraying as well.