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Old 09-20-2017, 07:44 PM   #1
Kijho
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Member#: 311882
Join Date: Feb 2012
Chapter/Region: W. Canada
Location: Alberta, Canada
Vehicle:
2016 WRX
CWP

Default Engine Bay Detailing (Cleaning)

I get asked this every time I open my hood haha! I use a few different products to keep my engine bay looking clean!!

What are your guys favorite tips / engine bay cleaning products or methods?

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Old 10-07-2017, 01:36 PM   #2
cknowlen
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Member#: 189077
Join Date: Sep 2008
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Connecticut
Vehicle:
2011 STI limited
WRB

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Give scrubbing bubbles a try. yes, the stuff you would use to clean your bathroom. There is a whole thread on it on this site. Works like a champ. Best part is, if you dont like the way it works or the results, just use it on your bathroom.
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Old 10-07-2017, 01:45 PM   #3
tmcquinn
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Vehicle:
2018 WRX, 2002 WRX,
2003 WRX, 2012 Impreza

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Old 10-09-2017, 03:14 PM   #4
MtnXfreeride
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Member#: 228010
Join Date: Oct 2009
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Maine
Vehicle:
2019 WRX Limited
Crystal White Pearl

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I just some APC diluted 1:7ish in a bottle.. spray the engine bay.. hit with a few various size brushes, and rinse with a spray bottle of water. Blow dry with shop vac, then wipe dry left overs. Finally, apply 303 protectant to plastics. I avoid the alternator and am careful around the air intake box.

Anyone concerned about removing light oil/grease hanging around in the engine and causing rusting/corrosion sooner? That grease/oil in the bay is kind of protecting the metal.
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Old 11-28-2017, 05:19 PM   #5
PrimoSub
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Member#: 478409
Join Date: Nov 2017
Vehicle:
'10 ImpOutbackSport
Blue/Silver

Default Cleaner

Never heard of Poor Boys World products. Going to try it.
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Old 11-28-2017, 05:33 PM   #6
T-37
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Member#: 175624
Join Date: Mar 2008
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Wichita, KS
Vehicle:
0304 WRX WRX
SY WRB

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Quote:
Originally Posted by cknowlen View Post
Give scrubbing bubbles a try. yes, the stuff you would use to clean your bathroom. There is a whole thread on it on this site. Works like a champ. Best part is, if you dont like the way it works or the results, just use it on your bathroom.
+1 to Scrubbing Bubbles. It's as easy as it gets, and it won't oxidize your aluminum. They work hard so you don't have to...
I use some Adam's VRT on the plastics occasionally.
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Old 12-06-2017, 01:50 AM   #7
Thetrumpwon
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Default

Anal wRts
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Old 12-06-2017, 01:20 PM   #8
Six WRX
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Location: SF Bay Area
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2017 Base WRX
WRB

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Was doing an oil change, and noticed my engine bay was pretty dirty/dusty. Have any of you sprayed it down with a pressure washer after the cleaning products? I'm a little hesitant to do this as there are a lot of exposed areas...
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Old 12-22-2017, 12:09 PM   #9
Bo Bandy
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Location: South Carolina
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2003 WRX Wagon

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I wouldn't use a pressure washer because it can spray water into places it shouldn't. Spray off with a hose if anything which doesn't produce high pressured water.

I use simple green and LA's totally awesome(best cleaning product ever) from the dollar store with a soft brush or cloth
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Old 12-27-2017, 07:23 PM   #10
MtnXfreeride
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Location: Maine
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2019 WRX Limited
Crystal White Pearl

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Six WRX View Post
Was doing an oil change, and noticed my engine bay was pretty dirty/dusty. Have any of you sprayed it down with a pressure washer after the cleaning products? I'm a little hesitant to do this as there are a lot of exposed areas...
It takes more than pressurized water to do it right.. its not worth the risk for how crap it would work anyway.. how good does a car look after using only a pressure washer without a mitt?

Might as well use a diluted all purpose cleaner or scrubbing bubbles and a few detail brushes to scrub for a couple minutes..its a 15 minute job total.
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Old 12-31-2017, 11:49 PM   #11
evans312
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2016 WRX Base
CWP

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To be honest, I just take quick detailer, spray it on a micro fiber towel and wipe away. Not the most effective but it works.
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Old 01-01-2018, 12:47 PM   #12
VR4ownzU
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Location: Garner, NC
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Does the Scrubbing Bubbles have any lasting effect on metal pieces inside the engine bay? Does it leave any residue? Is it safe on paint as long as you clean it off right away? I'm just curious how safe it really is?
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Old 01-01-2018, 04:35 PM   #13
T-37
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0304 WRX WRX
SY WRB

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Quote:
Originally Posted by VR4ownzU View Post
Does the Scrubbing Bubbles have any lasting effect on metal pieces inside the engine bay? Does it leave any residue? Is it safe on paint as long as you clean it off right away? I'm just curious how safe it really is?
It doesn't etch aluminum. It doesnt leave residue. Don't spray it on your exterior paint, it probably wouldn't hurt anything, but it may strip wax. I use it on most everything under the hood when it's dirty enough to need it (maybe once a year or less.) Brush as needed to loosen grime, rinse it off and dry it. Once the bulk of the grime is gone you can maintain it by rinse/wiping off accessible spots after every wash or so.

This is my DD in the midst of some repairs being done.
http://i.imgur.com/xo1BIsA.jpg


And after cleaning with scrubbing bubbles
http://i.imgur.com/ltoEE35.jpg
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Old 01-04-2018, 08:18 PM   #14
drivequickly
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^^^ waow what a huge difference !
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Old 01-07-2018, 06:56 PM   #15
Deckersixx
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17 Wrx
DGM

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Awesome man!! My engine bay needs a good cleaning this will def help out
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Old 01-12-2018, 07:03 PM   #16
MD_Subae
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Join Date: Nov 2017
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Montgomery County
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2011 Impreza WRX STi
Charcoal Metallic

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Probably going to try this after all the snow and salt we have been experiencing on the east coast. Ill report back!
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Old 01-12-2018, 07:30 PM   #17
Nib
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Member#: 472886
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Louisiana
Vehicle:
2013 WRX Spoolinator
Silver

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Dawn liquid detergent.

Use a spray on wax like Meguiars supreme shine
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Old 01-12-2018, 10:17 PM   #18
VR4ownzU
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Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Garner, NC
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nib View Post
Dawn liquid detergent.

Use a spray on wax like Meguiars supreme shine
I tried it on my wife's 9-2x Aero and it seemed to work okay. Used it on her rubber floor mats and it worked okay.

What do you guys use for dressing under the hood?
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Old 01-13-2018, 03:55 PM   #19
driftredemption
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Member#: 480551
Join Date: Jan 2018
Default

Does anyone use a claybar? I noticed there are references to quick detailer - but didn't know if anyone uses a claybar. I have an 1990 white scooby that looks like it has years of dirt build up. Thinking about getting a claybar to remove the grime.
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Old 01-14-2018, 09:54 PM   #20
VR4ownzU
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Member#: 122700
Join Date: Aug 2006
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Garner, NC
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by driftredemption View Post
Does anyone use a claybar? I noticed there are references to quick detailer - but didn't know if anyone uses a claybar. I have an 1990 white scooby that looks like it has years of dirt build up. Thinking about getting a claybar to remove the grime.
If you are doing a car that is pretty bad I would do the following: I haven't tried it yet (should be here Tuesday) but I've read a lot about doing Carpro Iron-X before you clay. It pulls some of the contaminants out of the clear coat making it easier to clay later. You can also use it to clean your wheels.
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Old 01-15-2018, 08:05 PM   #21
SD_scooby
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i use dawn dish soap, then follow with turtle wax plastic spray, shines everytime.
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Old 01-16-2018, 03:30 AM   #22
samb
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Washington
Vehicle:
2016 Focus RS
2002 WRX Wagon

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Quote:
Originally Posted by T-37 View Post
It doesn't etch aluminum. It doesnt leave residue. Don't spray it on your exterior paint, it probably wouldn't hurt anything, but it may strip wax. I use it on most everything under the hood when it's dirty enough to need it (maybe once a year or less.) Brush as needed to loosen grime, rinse it off and dry it. Once the bulk of the grime is gone you can maintain it by rinse/wiping off accessible spots after every wash or so.

This is my DD in the midst of some repairs being done.
http://i.imgur.com/xo1BIsA.jpg


And after cleaning with scrubbing bubbles
http://i.imgur.com/ltoEE35.jpg
Looks great!

Except for that air filter. It looks like it needs some TLC
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Old 01-16-2018, 02:42 PM   #23
MtnXfreeride
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Member#: 228010
Join Date: Oct 2009
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Maine
Vehicle:
2019 WRX Limited
Crystal White Pearl

Default

I used Tuff Stuff multipurpose foam cleaner to do my wifes and my cars last week. Worked great. Spray on.. let it sit a few (2) minutes, hit it with some detail brushes.. wait a few more minutes (3), rinse with a spray bottle or pump garden sprayer with water. Let drip dry a minute. Hit pools of water with mini blower (Ryobi high volume, low pressure tool), dry with microfibers. Dry again with Ryobi tool. Finish plastics with 303 protectant.

I avoid the alternator and spraying water heavily into electrical parts.
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Old 01-27-2018, 05:39 PM   #24
BeardedBaxter
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Vehicle:
09 Forester
Black

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Wow wow wow to Scrubbing Bubbles! +10
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Old 01-29-2018, 04:21 PM   #25
TheGrayAero
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Join Date: Jan 2018
Default

I tried the Walmart brand of scrubbing bubbles on my wife's Aero. Seemed to work okay.
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