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[damon80]

Hi Folks,

Well, I've been meaning to clean and detail my engine bay for a while now, and today finally pulled my finger out and got the job done!  Thought I'd add a few pics.

I forgot to take a "Before" picture    But I have got this which I took when Elite Pete was in the middle of changing my cambelt a couple of weeks ago (cheers again Pete!  ):


Four hours, several skinned knuckles, multiple expletives, and a pint of blood later...    here's the finished result:




What do you think?   

[dazzerM]

Wow looks factory fresh mate 

[Big_Al]

And thats a Big   WOW !  from me too       

what did you use there then?

As said looks factory fresh  

well done    

[damon80]

Cheers Dazzer! 

120k miles worth crud to get off (cos you can guarantee it was never cleaned when it was in the custody of our glorious boys in blue), half of which is now ingrained in my skin!! 

Was quite theraputic doing it though - I think I need to get out more...   

[damon80]

And thats a Big   WOW !  from me too       

what did you use there then?

As said looks factory fresh  

well done    

Cheers Al! 

For the bits I could get to, I used Gunk put on with a clean paintbrush.  And for the bits I couldn't, the Gunk that comes in a spray can.  Then used one of those green scouring pads to scrub the more stubborn bits clean.

Rinsed it all down with the hosepipe (don't like the idea of pressure-washing an engine to be honest, so just stuck to the good ol' hose).

Ran the engine up to temperature to dry it off, and when it had cooled down, then used a mixture of Turtle Wax Ice polish, and Back-to-Black (on the black plastic panels).

[Nathan]

Looks great mate.......... well done 

[x25dt]

Nice job

[jyr001]

Great stuff Gunk. I used to use it on my bikes and it worked wonders. Did you use that on the intake hoses to the plenum. They look shiney wet look. I've had a go at my engine bay recently but can't seem to get these anywhere near new look.

[damon80]

Great stuff Gunk. I used to use it on my bikes and it worked wonders. Did you use that on the intake hoses to the plenum. They look shiney wet look. I've had a go at my engine bay recently but can't seem to get these anywhere near new look.

Gunk is fantastic stuff - I used to use it on my bike before I got rid.  Love the smell of it! 

I used Turtle Wax Ice polish on the plenum pipes.  I know some folk say baby oil works well, but didn't have any in, so just used what I had 

[jyr001]

Yeah, I went the baby oil route and it does work although I've had to apply it quite a few times before it started to look reasonable.   

[damon80]

Yep, it was the same with the TW Ice polish, I needed to put a few coats on.

It looked fine with just one coat on, but it took a few to give it the wet look.  If you don't want it overly shiny, one coat would do just fine

[blackviper90210]

Looks bloody great 

Down side it makes my 'bay look even worse now 

[twiglet]

That's very, very impressive mate! Did you have to clean any muck of the plenum itself? And if so, what did you use? 

[damon80]

Thanks very much to you all for the positive comments folks - it almost makes the skinned knuckles worthwhile (which is saying something... I forgot how much Gunk stings when it makes contact with open wounds    )

That's very, very impressive mate! Did you have to clean any muck of the plenum itself? And if so, what did you use? 

Cheers Twiglet    Aye, the plenum itself was pretty dirty.  That's what I used the Gunk-soaked scouring pad to clean, because with the plenum being stipple-finished, all the crud just collected in the dimples.

Speaking of the plenum, thanks again to Mr Elite Pete for sorting me out the dust-caps for the bolts which hold it in place, which seem to keep growing legs and toddling off - I think they set it off nicely   

[damon80]

Just a thought - if any member wants their Omega detailing, drop me a PM and I'm more than happy to sort, for say £30?

I ain't making a profit on that - I went through a full can of Gunk on mine (at £6.95), then a spray-can of Gunk (£7.99), then wax, and Back-to-Black on top.

As I said earlier, I find it quite theraputic, and am happy to put something back to the Forum, after I've taken so much over the years 

If you're interested, and can travel to Wigan (just off the M6/M58 interchange) just drop me a PM 

[jyr001]

Thanks very much to you all for the positive comments folks - it almost makes the skinned knuckles worthwhile (which is saying something... I forgot how much Gunk stings when it makes contact with open wounds    )

That's very, very impressive mate! Did you have to clean any muck of the plenum itself? And if so, what did you use? 

I used WD40 squirted on to an old toothbrush on mine. Do a small area at a time and wipe off the residue with a clean rag before it dries. It comes up a treat. To save effort and time I was going to use the wifes electric brush but she didn't seem that keen and hid it. Since the plenum is quite a rough cast finish a brush like this has just the right amount of stiffness to eke out all the dirt from the pits without damaging and it gets into all the nooks and crannies.

[twiglet]

Thanks Damon and Jyr for you advice! 

Made a start on mine today, and she's coming alone (pics to follow).  Next thing I really need to tackle is the throttle body (the aluminium part directly in front of the plenum). Being bare aluminium, it has got what I can only describe as black staining on it, which really doesn't seem to want to shift... 

I notice yours is spotless Damon! Whats your secret?

[damon80]

Thanks very much to you all for the positive comments folks - it almost makes the skinned knuckles worthwhile (which is saying something... I forgot how much Gunk stings when it makes contact with open wounds    )

That's very, very impressive mate! Did you have to clean any muck of the plenum itself? And if so, what did you use? 

I used WD40 squirted on to an old toothbrush on mine. Do a small area at a time and wipe off the residue with a clean rag before it dries. It comes up a treat. To save effort and time I was going to use the wifes electric brush but she didn't seem that keen and hid it. Since the plenum is quite a rough cast finish a brush like this has just the right amount of stiffness to eke out all the dirt from the pits without damaging and it gets into all the nooks and crannies.

You're a braver man than me!!   

[damon80]

Thanks Damon and Jyr for you advice! 

Made a start on mine today, and she's coming alone (pics to follow).  Next thing I really need to tackle is the throttle body (the aluminium part directly in front of the plenum). Being bare aluminium, it has got what I can only describe as black staining on it, which really doesn't seem to want to shift... 

I notice yours is spotless Damon! Whats your secret?

Glad to hear you've made a start - look forwards to seeing the pics 

I used a bit of Autosol - that got rid of the marks.  But there weren't that many marks on it to be honest.  If you don't have any Autosol, I'm sure Brasso would do the job 

[Mr Gav]

That looks sooo nice  8-)

[Omega_Dan]

Did mine a few months ago but must say looks very impressive

[jyr001]

Glad to hear you've made a start - look forwards to seeing the pics 

I used a bit of Autosol - that got rid of the marks.  But there weren't that many marks on it to be honest.  If you don't have any Autosol, I'm sure Brasso would do the job 

Yep Autosol is probably the best. If it can bring out the best on tired alluminium castings on a cruddy bike engine it's got to be the best bet for this type of under bonnet work. The staple diet for most bikers cleaning kit; Gunk and Solvol Autosol.

[twiglet]

Autosol it is then! Cheers guys!

Now I just need the weather to improve again so I can get back outside! 

[MutantCav]

Just out of interest how long did it take to get it all that shiney?? Also did you buy a new header tank or did you somehow find a way to make the old one shiney and new looking??

[twiglet]

Tried the Autosol on my throttle body casing tonigjht, and it didn't touch it! Do you guys just use a cloth and elbow grease, or is there a trick I'm missing?  :-/

[damon80]

Just out of interest how long did it take to get it all that shiney?? Also did you buy a new header tank or did you somehow find a way to make the old one shiney and new looking??

About 4 hours all-in-all.

Nope, it's still on the original header tank.  It's had regular coolant changes , so the inside of it isn't stained rusty coloured.  Just went over the outside of it with some Gunk, and used the paintbrush to get into the nooks and crannies on it. 

[damon80]

Tried the Autosol on my throttle body casing tonigjht, and it didn't touch it! Do you guys just use a cloth and elbow grease, or is there a trick I'm missing?  :-/

Yep, just elbow grease I'm afraid matey!   But, if yours is really badly marked, would sanding it down gently with some fine-grit sandpaper first do the job??  :-/

[Stallion]

Bling!!
Im jealous, in a good way!

[SHASSON]

Nice 8-) 8-)

[twiglet]

Tried the Autosol on my throttle body casing tonigjht, and it didn't touch it! Do you guys just use a cloth and elbow grease, or is there a trick I'm missing?  :-/

Yep, just elbow grease I'm afraid matey!   But, if yours is really badly marked, would sanding it down gently with some fine-grit sandpaper first do the job??  :-/

Yeah good thinking! Might try some fine wet n dry!! 

[Stu C]

Very good results indeed 

I did mine at the weekend but it was quite clean so only took a few hours. That must of taken the best part of a day! A credit to your hard work

[damon80]

Tried the Autosol on my throttle body casing tonigjht, and it didn't touch it! Do you guys just use a cloth and elbow grease, or is there a trick I'm missing?  :-/

Yep, just elbow grease I'm afraid matey!   But, if yours is really badly marked, would sanding it down gently with some fine-grit sandpaper first do the job??  :-/

Yeah good thinking! Might try some fine wet n dry!! 

Just another thought on this Twiglet - before attacking it with sandpaper, try putting the Autosol on a green scouring pad - a bit less aggresive, and it may just do the job 

It's a shame you're not a bit closer to this neck of the woods, or else I'd have a do at it for you...

[damon80]

Very good results indeed 

I did mine at the weekend but it was quite clean so only took a few hours. That must of taken the best part of a day! A credit to your hard work

Cheers Stu! 

Aye, about 4 hours of a job it was, but it'd obviously never been done before.  I've vowed to keep on top of it now, so in future it should just be a case of a quick wash-down and polish-up - fingers crossed!

[Stu C]

Good man    I have vowed to do the same. I recon twice a year should do it as the bonnet has a good seal to it

[twiglet]

Tried the Autosol on my throttle body casing tonigjht, and it didn't touch it! Do you guys just use a cloth and elbow grease, or is there a trick I'm missing?  :-/

Yep, just elbow grease I'm afraid matey!   But, if yours is really badly marked, would sanding it down gently with some fine-grit sandpaper first do the job??  :-/

Yeah good thinking! Might try some fine wet n dry!! 

Just another thought on this Twiglet - before attacking it with sandpaper, try putting the Autosol on a green scouring pad - a bit less aggresive, and it may just do the job 

It's a shame you're not a bit closer to this neck of the woods, or else I'd have a do at it for you...

Are you coming to the essex meet on the 23rd? I'll bring me autosol and the wife's scouring pad.... 

[damon80]

Unfortunately not Twiglet - Essex it a bit too far away from Wigan   

[twiglet]

Unfortunately not Twiglet - Essex it a bit too far away from Wigan   

Yeah you're probably right! lol.  I've taken a picture on my progress so far with the engine detailing.  I'll post it up later! 

[damon80]

Look forward to seeing the pics Twiglet 

[twiglet]

Haven't got round to sorting out the throttle body yet, but this is what she looks like at the moment...



(Hopefully someone can re-jig it so that you don't have to click on the link) 

[albitz]

Very impressive.