Show but no shine.....1st attempt at engine detail

[alban61]

This is my 1st attempt at detailing the engine. Outcome definitely not to AG standards
Use of a hose is not allowed in my mobile home park, so I ended up using spray bottles. I've come to the conclusion that, a hose is definitely needed for detailing the engine bay. Don't know if I'd dare use a hose anyway. I opened up the hood and saw all kinds of wires with plugs and connectors.......besides all the dust and dirt! This is the engine bay of my '99 Explorer. Don't know when the engine was cleaned last. I know I haven't done it since I bought it about 5 years ago. Freaked me out when I saw all those wires w/ connectors and things plugged together, especially up against the firewall. All I could think of was.....short circuit!! I know I've read all the successful engine details done here, with some members not even bothering to cover anything, but knowing my luck. I'm chicken when it comes to destroying some auto part that I've no money to replace.
Anyway, here's my attempt..................
1 spray bottle of DP 4n1 QD
1 spray bottle of water
Amazing Roll-Off
Armor All Tire shine
Lots of rags NO WATER HOSE USED
First I sprayed QD and wiped down everything. Then sprayed water, followed by Amazing Roll-Off. Scrubbed and then sprayed more water as a rinse and wiped things down. Sprayed Armor All and then started engine and let run for 5 mins. As you can see, there are a lot of areas that were missed. Looks better but still not up to AG standards.
My Ford manual showed to cover up battery, air filter housing, main fuse box and the area where all the plug wires go into (distributor, I guess). So how in the world do you guys clean the area by the plug wires? Just hose it, I'm guessing. Guess I should just suck it up and use a hose at my in-laws. All comments, suggestions, and reassurance that a hose is OK, are welcome.
BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

[Cobra04]

Not bad for what you had to work with!..... I wouldn't even attempt a detail on a engine that dirty without a hose! Id cover everything like sensors and electrical connections with plastic and foil as always.

[Pauly6401]

Alban,
I just attempted my very first engine detail this weekend as well. I've posted the results in this forum:

Baby steps...

I used a normal garden hose. You're not supposed to use a pressure washer, because then you WILL get water where you're not supposed to. I took plastic grocery bags and covered up the belts, alternator, and fuse box (I have an aftermarket foam air cleaner which is down in the fenderwell, so I didn't cover that up as no water was going to get to it). Most of the other wires in my 2000 Ford ZX2 were sealed with weathertight rubber connectors or terminated inside rubber/plastic enclosures. You have to figure that in heavy rain water is going to get under your hood, so it can take some water - just not tons at high pressure. I took care not to concentrate my aim on any wires, just let indirect water spray hit those areas.

Anyways, I sprayed the engine bay down, using low-medium water pressure which basically means I didn't turn the spigot on very much at the house. I then hit the dirty areas with a degreaser (I imagine the DP you referenced stands for quick detailer - I don't think that will have the cleaning power you will need for baked on dirt). I did everything you did, sprayed on some Stoner More Shine and started the car and let it run for about 5 minutes. I had never cleaned the engine for the 6+ years I have owned the car, and I think it turned out pretty good for about 30 minutes of "work".

You definitely made a good difference in your photos, I think with a hose and brush you'll be where you want. I'd say you're 90% there yourself, and you certainly have the process correct. You might also try other "shine" products, I've noticed a big difference in different sprays.

[Reddwarf]

Darn good job without a hose! It looks much cleaner. You might try picking up a bottle of the DP Engine Degreaser. Don't know how you can get around not using a hose or pressure washer.

[wolfpacker92]

I think you did a great job for the first and with the hose restrictions. Like Pauly said I would definetly look into some Stoner's More shine. I love using that on engine bays.

[Nica]

I don't see anything wrong with the results alban61, looks good to me. In fact after you give the vehicle a really deep cleaning you maintain it just the way you did this engine. I don't blame you for being cautious with the engine compartment. I'm very cautious becuase I really don't want to short anything in the engine compartment. So I cover anything that I feel deserves to be covered, sometimes it takes me 30min to an hour just in the engine bay but I'm all about being safe...regardless of the age of the vehicle.

Like I said it looks good to me, I like the results. It's the first one you do, look good my friend and besides practice makes perfect

[klumzypinoy]

Being safe is a good thing so don't worry I'm scared to detail my engine. The bay really looks clean though, and I'd think that's up to AG's standards. You did a great job.

[alban61]

Thanks guys, for all the comments, suggestions and instructions. It's greatly appreciated.
Cobra, Pauly, Carlos...thanks for the instructions. Took me just over an hour to do it.
Reddward.....Thanks for the compliments. Amazing Roll-Off is also a degreaser. Yeah, I definitely need a hose to do the job properly. Gotta wait till I do my in-law's vehicles, then I'll do a proper hose-down on my engine bay.
Klumzypinoy....I'm glad that I'm not the only one scared to detail the engine. And thanks for the compliments.

[klumzypinoy]

No problem Alban I will have to man up and detail my engine someday.

[AL417]

The engine looks great. It looks much better than in the "before" pics. You did a good job and you should be happy with it considering the hose ban. Very nice.