Engine compartment detailing.

[D. Clay]

I want a nice looking engine compartment. What is the hot tip on the following items:
1) Removing cosmoline
2) getting the valve cover and intake looking good
3) treating the plastic pieces to look good
4) cleaning and maintaining
Pics are helpful.

[Febi Guibo]

for hoses and plastic parts, I highly recommend an aerosol non-yellowing silicone spray... it works GREAT, seriously.

[FL318is]

Since I have been working on mine I have started the engine detailing.

For the intake and valve cover I used the 500 degree engine paint. I used the aracite grey just because it was handy in the shop. Later I will dremel the ribs and emblems. Much later, I will probably use a different color. When I have it home I will take some pics. The engine does look a whole lot better.

The only thing I have found to date for cosmoline removal is the liquid used in the parts cleaner bath. I might try a little of that on the towers and wells.

[M42boy]

for hoses and plastic parts, I highly recommend an aerosol non-yellowing silicone spray... it works GREAT, seriously.
For hoses, try Wurth Rubber Protectant (aerosal).

My advice... live with the Cosmo... It may not look hot, but it IS a protective coating. ;)

[Febi Guibo]

yeah, the cosmo protects your engine from looking good :) !!

speaking of wurth... their 'Citrus Based Solvent Degreaser' comes recommended for cosmoline removal...

[StreetSpec_iS]

^ kenoath, citrus based product is what i have found to work best.

i think i used a citrus based overn cleaner and steel wool.

[Berlin]

castrol super clean.... for the generally drity areas, works like a charm

and i found this other thing Walter X-force... cleans plastic and protects it but its best hidden benefit is brake dust removal... makes your wheels so clean it hurts

[Tonyb]

I used Tal-StripII aircraft coating remover. It took everything off right down to the original finish. I bought it at a local auto parts store for 24.00$ a gal.