The SECRET to Wet Wash Engine Detailing by Mike Phillips

[Mike Hoekstra]

I used Blackfire Super Degreaser 1:4 to clean the engine bay on my 15 year old Camry. Great product as well. My bride has even taken to using it to clean the kitchen cook top and hood, among other things that get caked on food.

[Halon]

I appreciate this post! Being new to this, I followed your process you laid out. I did choose slightly different products that I could find at my local big box store just to get my feet wet before jumping into the real stuff. I'm very happy with how it turned out, and thanks again for laying this process out!

One question I did have is what do you do with the engine blankets that are usually attached to the underside of the hood? I cleaned them as well, but honestly once fully dried they didn't really look great. Do you just avoid them completely?

Here some photos of the ones I did following your process, however I ended up using diluted Super Clean and Meguiar's Natural Shine, again just to get my feet wet and try out the process before getting the better stuff.

My Wifes Daily Driver Ford Fusion:



My Daily Driver Dodge Durango:




Customers Toyota Sienna:



Customers Acura MDX (totally forgot a before pic, crap):

[mc2hill]

Nice work!

One question I did have is what do you do with the engine blankets that are usually attached to the underside of the hood? I cleaned them as well, but honestly once fully dried they didn't really look great. Do you just avoid them completely?

I have found a foaming tire dressing can work on those. The foam lifts the dirt out, and the dressing darkens it a little. Just lightly wipe off any excess.

[Halon]

Nice work!



I have found a foaming tire dressing can work on those. The foam lifts the dirt out, and the dressing darkens it a little. Just lightly wipe off any excess.

Thanks for the feedback. Can you explain the process? Do you not clean it with water or anything first? You just spray on the tire foam on the dry dirty blanket. Give it a couple minutes, then just wipe off with a towel?

Thank you very much!

[mc2hill]

Thanks for the feedback. Can you explain the process? Do you not clean it with water or anything first? You just spray on the tire foam on the dry dirty blanket. Give it a couple minutes, then just wipe off with a towel?

Thank you very much!

Exactly, just spray the foam on the blanket. And I would use a terry towel, not a MF towel to remove the excess.

[Halon]

Thank you for that!