So, I've been driving my 05 GT for awhile. What's easiest way to clean up the engine and get it looking show room new? Nothing really leaking but it's just getting very dusty.
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2005 GT Convertible Premium, 5-sp man, Torch Red, Charcoal top and leather int, upgraded interior, Flowmasters
'05 Sonic Blue GT w/ '07 V8 engine, 5-sp, IUP, Beige leather interior, nothing else -
just the way I wanted it. (1 of 113)
OK, so I've added a few things to it. Check my Profile - too many to list here.
First power wash it. Then spray simple green on entire engine and let it sit about 15 mins or so. Then start brushing and rinse. I use Eastwood paint for detailing. It cost a little more then the typical paint from auto stores but it covers well. If you paint, paint in layers and allow 10 mins between coats and do not allow paint to dry between coats.
Sorry, didn't mean to ignore the question. I hadn't been keeping up with this thread.
I'd be careful of using any kind of direct water spray on the COP's. The F-150's, which are very similar, are notorious for the COPs failing after a direct spray.
To be honest, I've never had to do much more than maintenance on the Mustang. It's never seen rain, hence no splashing. I use a lot of Eagle One quick detail spray and Eagle One tireshine.
My F-150 being a daily driver, and some of that on dusty job sites, is another story. I usually detail the engine bay about twice a year. Now, I do start out with a hose on a very light spray. I leave the engine running, and LIGHTLY hose down everything, staying away from the coils and the fuse box.
Once the engine is cleaned off, out come the degreasers and such. Old T-shirts get the heavy grime. By the time I get to the detail spray and tireshine, I'm usually using an old microfiber towel. A little detail spray on the COP's is usually enough to get them clean.
If you're looking for show quality, I would highly recommend going to your local drug store and getting some cotton applicator swabs (like 3 bucks for a hundred). They're like Q-tips with the cotton on one side of a long wooden stick. You can get in those hard to reach places really well. Also, believe it or not, a swiffer, those disposable dusters your wife uses around the house work great for getting behind hoses, and around the COP's. I get several uses out of each swiffer before I need to replace it.
Don't be affraid to take parts off to clean them either. Sometimes it's easier just to remove a part (the plenum cover on my F-150 comes to mind), take it into the kitchen and clean it in the sink. Dry it off, give it a coat of tireshine, and it'll look better than the day it was installed.
If you have any specific questions you can always PM me.
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'05 Sonic Blue GT w/ '07 V8 engine, 5-sp, IUP, Beige leather interior, nothing else -
just the way I wanted it. (1 of 113)
OK, so I've added a few things to it. Check my Profile - too many to list here.
thats some good info!! i also use simple green like some of the others said.... it works great for getting the grease and dirt off
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1996 mustang vortech v-2 sq blower with aftercooler 10psi, proffesional products 75mm tb and plenum,bbk long tubes,custom x-pipe,flowmaster cat back,3.73, optima red top in trunk,steeda clutch quadrant and fire wall adjuster,poly motor and trans mounts,alum drive shaft,maxium motorsports suspension,tubular k-member/arms, qa-1 struts and shocks,steeda cc plates,custom subframe connectors,welded torque boxes,t/a rearend cover,walbro255, b&m shifter/triax handle,sct tuner.90mm lighting mam
Anything plastic that is not directly exposed to high temperatures, I clean with Armor-All. I wipe it twice to make sure the piece is dry.
Anything exposed to high heat, I clean with a terry-cloth towel and "engine brite" sprayed on lighty (applied to the towel). Afterwards, I wipe it with water and dry it quickly. Make sure you dry it.
Anything chrome, I clean with Noxon. I love that stuff. It's an ammonia-based metal polish, and it works wonders. (also great for wheels)
If things just need a dusting, I use a Swiffer static-duster. These work great for those fuel-rails. I can never seem to get my fingers under the wires, so the thin duster works wonders.
I see a lot of people just "spray" their engines with water. Uh... I'd never do that. You can tell who does this because of the classic "wet belt startup." Eeeww
I have an 88' 5.0 fox body, and it is covered in dirt and grim... Living in the rainforest. What would I have to cover up when spraying my engine. So that I don't ruin anything.
I don't think you're fuel injected, so the coils won't be an issue, but you'll have to be careful about getting the distributor wet, and it would be a good idea to stay away from the wires and plugs. Old wires can have cracks in them too small to see that allow water into the wire. Newer wires should be OK. I would also cover any electrical boxes or fuse boxes. I'm not sure if the computer is in the engine bay or not. If you do spray, try not to use full blast from the hose. Just a light spray.
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'05 Sonic Blue GT w/ '07 V8 engine, 5-sp, IUP, Beige leather interior, nothing else -
just the way I wanted it. (1 of 113)
OK, so I've added a few things to it. Check my Profile - too many to list here.
How do I clean up engine? 
(1 of 113)
