quattropunk

What products/methods should I use. The engine is not overly dirt, i'm just overly **** about having a clean car

HDClown

Simple Green is probably the best all around, use on almost anything under the hood, cleaner, and it does an amazing job. Someone in here asked about cleaning his engine compartment in his older Audi and he had before/after pics. Difference is amazing.

I think he did it all by hand with cheap shop towels.

Some people spray it on, let it sit, then house it off, but that can get water in places you don't want it.

I've never tried any of the engine degreasers and what not, but I'd probably avoid them as Simple Green can do just about anything.

Style12v

Spray and wipe is my favorite method.
Spray down the engine with a degreeser like simple green, then wipe the area your sprayed with a rag.
Do this till the whole engine is clean.

Also, try using some metal polish on any chrome and metal parts, it will really shine it up. Wax any painted areas of the engine bay, and use a dressing like Aerospace 303 on the rubber area's.

Also, I hear that tire foam works pretty good. You spray the areas you want clean, and let the foam disolve the dirt and run off.

Ted K

From my experience, their recommendations have been outstanding<ul><li><a href="http://www.carcareonline.com/clean_engines.html">Car Care Specialties Article on engine compartment cleaning</a></li></ul>

Seattle Scott

If you just want to make it pretty I'd skip it. I usually wash an engine before I work on it.

HDClown

If you do clean it, make sure you touch it up every other week or so. I wash my car weekly and that all includes all the door jams and trunk jams pretty much every week. I don't wash em with soap cuz they always get wet and have some small amounts of soapy water on them, so I just use my terry towels and wipe the dirt off. Keeps em looking like new. The same goes for under the hood. The few painted parts I do the same, and I always make sure the big exposed areas that are easy to hit are clean. Just rub em down with a damp towel and your good to go...

..now if I was really crazy, I'd wax all my door jams.. I may do this one day if I get really bored.

sirikit

Be sure not to wash a HOT engine...that's all.