Why Detail Your Engine Bay
Let’s talk about an engine bay wash… Proper engine maintenance is crucial to ensure optimal performance and longevity. However, it is equally important you pay attention to the appearance of your engine bay. Detailing it on a periodic basis helps you protect the paint, rubber, and plastic components from fading or potential damage such as cracking caused by the high temperatures in the engine bay and everyday wear and tear.
Performing an engine bay detail not only helps prevent expensive repairs in the future but also provides an opportunity to assess the overall condition of your engine between maintenance cycles.
Let’s face it, if you’re reading this article, it shows that you take great pride in owning your vehicle. You understand that a dirty engine bay may not hinder your ability to drive from point A to point B, and it may not significantly impact the resale value, unless you own a classic car. However, your dedication to excellence motivates you to desire a clean, attractive engine bay every time you open the hood.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
Hot Engine Bay: When you washing your car, it is important to avoid detailing the engine bay while it’s still hot. Excessive heat can cause the cleaning chemicals and water to dry quickly on the surface, leading to the need for more product and potential damage to delicate engine components. Additionally, it is advisable you stay away from using very cold water on hot metal parts, as it can cause warping. Therefore, always take precautions and avoid washing a hot engine bay.
Make Sure You Use Safety Equipment: When working in engine bays, it is crucial to recognize that they often contain a substantial amount of dirt, grease, and grime, as well as tight spaces. To effectively tackle these challenging conditions, it is recommended to employ potent degreasers and be prepared to access dirty and cramped areas. Therefore, for your personal safety, it is essential to put on gloves and safety goggles before commencing any work.
Take Caution With After Market Parts: Most factory parts in modern vehicles are designed to be waterproof or water-resistant. However, it is important to note that the level of water resistance may vary among aftermarket parts, depending on the manufacturer. Therefore, if a vehicle is equipped with any aftermarket components, we would recommend that you take extra precautions in those areas.
DO NOT Get These Parts Wet
When it comes to an engine bay wash, it’s important to pay attention to certain areas.
- Battery terminals
- Alternator
- Spark plugs
- Exposed fuses/relays
We suggest thoroughly inspecting your engine bay for any potential issues and keeping them in mind as you go through the detailing process. As an example, you might think the ECU is safe because it is in an enclosed box, however you should inspect if that box is in good conditions or if it is damaged and will leak water into the electronics.
In the case of sports cars or supercars, you may come across high-value components like carbon fiber trim pieces that can be incredibly costly to replace, sometimes reaching thousands of euros.
These areas should be handled with extra care to prevent any accidental damage.
Our Services
Do you not want to risk causing damage or is this more work than you expected?
We perform engine bay detailing in our shop. Why not contact us for a quote or advice?
