Engine bay clean
Moderator: martauto
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Dstar
- E30 Zone Newbie

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- Joined: Tue Apr 21, 2009 11:00 pm
Anybody got any tips on cleaning up the engine bay?
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Knoakes
- E30 Zone Newbie

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- Location: In the biscuit tin.... again
I can recommend some of this stuff :
http://www.4wheelplay.co.uk/autoglym-en ... 04066.html
works a treat
http://www.4wheelplay.co.uk/autoglym-en ... 04066.html
works a treat
5 out of 4 people struggle with fractions.
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poolnoodle
- E30 Zone Squatter

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- Location: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Sorry to hijack but I want to get to work on the engine bay in the next few weeks and wondering which areas need to be sealed off from water / degreaser?
'83 Bronzit 323i (mmmm, chrome)
'74 Polaris 2002 (mmmm, retro)
'89 Delphin 535i (mmmm, waft waft)
'74 Polaris 2002 (mmmm, retro)
'89 Delphin 535i (mmmm, waft waft)
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tez180
- E30 Zone Regular

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Any open electrics wrapped in Cling film.
If in doubt - just wrap it up.
Do work on a cool engine. The when finished I tend to leave the engine running with the bonnet down for a few mins.
Once its been done once thoroughly and sealed. All you will need to do to keep it clean is a damp rag and a wipe over.
- if you have time - read this -
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog ... ngine.html
If in doubt - just wrap it up.
Do work on a cool engine. The when finished I tend to leave the engine running with the bonnet down for a few mins.
Once its been done once thoroughly and sealed. All you will need to do to keep it clean is a damp rag and a wipe over.
- if you have time - read this -
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog ... ngine.html
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Knoakes
- E30 Zone Newbie

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- Location: In the biscuit tin.... again
That's a good read
Nice one
Nice one
5 out of 4 people struggle with fractions.
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polsta
- Married to the E30 Zone

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bought some of this todayKnoakes wrote:I can recommend some of this stuff :
http://www.4wheelplay.co.uk/autoglym-en ... 04066.html
works a treat
im gonna get on it tomorrow if its not raining
any advice/tips lads ?
things to do ? and things not to do etc ?
ive never done this before
cheers
polsta
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eko
- Old timer
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Parrafin and fairy liquid,works wonders everytime 

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mattsbmw
- E30 Zone Regular

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- Location: Heanor, Derbyshire
polsta wrote:bought some of this todayKnoakes wrote:I can recommend some of this stuff :
http://www.4wheelplay.co.uk/autoglym-en ... 04066.html
works a treat
im gonna get on it tomorrow if its not raining
any advice/tips lads ?
things to do ? and things not to do etc ?
ive never done this before![]()
cheers
polsta
Firstly cover all electricals and air intake. Then spray liberally over the area to be cleaned ( keep the work area reasonably small) then using a paintbrush agitate the cleaner leave for about 5 minutes, but dont let it dry on then rinse with a gentle flow of water from a watering can or hose, reapeat as necessary and stand back and admire your work

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polsta
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heres my rocker cover, what can i get to use on that to bring it up nice as possible ?

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mattsbmw
- E30 Zone Regular

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Use some Metal Polish (autsol), will take plenty of rubbing to get it nice and shiney, Its much easier to take it off and paint it.

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polsta
- Married to the E30 Zone

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ok mate cheers, i got some of that in the shed, il give it a go tomorrow
what do i paint it with ? would it be needed to be taken off ? ...is that easy ?
also wheres best/cheapest place to get a new spark plug cover strip bit from ?
cheers mate
im knackered, only just finished, been on the engine bay all day, its looking really good, just gave the outside another clean, so now the cars all clean, thank f**k
il take some pics...
what do i paint it with ? would it be needed to be taken off ? ...is that easy ?
also wheres best/cheapest place to get a new spark plug cover strip bit from ?
cheers mate
im knackered, only just finished, been on the engine bay all day, its looking really good, just gave the outside another clean, so now the cars all clean, thank f**k
il take some pics...
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mattsbmw
- E30 Zone Regular

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Spray it with standard car paint.
Take it off, rub down with wet and dry paper (600 grade),Spray with primer, then colour then clear (laquer)
Leave to dry.... job done
It is best to remove it or you will get paint everywhere.
Take it off, rub down with wet and dry paper (600 grade),Spray with primer, then colour then clear (laquer)
Leave to dry.... job done
It is best to remove it or you will get paint everywhere.

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polsta
- Married to the E30 Zone

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ok mate cheers, i might buy another one then to do, so i can do it properly and also keep my standard one in the garage 
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eko
- Old timer
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got a spare here should you need onepolsta wrote:ok mate cheers, i might buy another one then to do, so i can do it properly and also keep my standard one in the garage

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mattsbmw
- E30 Zone Regular

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- Location: Heanor, Derbyshire
Thats the best way as it keeps your car useablepolsta wrote:ok mate cheers, i might buy another one then to do, so i can do it properly and also keep my standard one in the garage

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m_jermyn
- E30 Zone Team Member

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- Location: Sydney Australia Mate
To get mine to shine I used carb cleaner, followed by degreaser............. Degreaser alone wont shift all that baked on oil.
