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    Under hood detail

    What do you use, and how do you do a complete engine compartment detail ?
    2004 M3 Mystic Blue

    #2
    I cover my alternator with saran wrap, rinse everything down and spray on simple green in a spray bottle. If excessively dirty, I'll agitate the simple green with a detailing brush, wait a bit, and rinse everything off again. Repeat if necessary.
    '06 BMW M3 6MT Coupe - TiAg/Imola
    '99 BMW M3 5MT Coupe - Estoril/Dove
    '00 Honda Civic Si - Electron Blue Pearl/Black
    '11 Toyota Tacoma T/X TRD - Magnetic Grey/Grey

    Instagram: @6spd_M3 | @midwesteuroparts



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      #3
      What Titaniu//M said is a great process. I've copied the engine bay detailing process from Obsessed Garage where you essentially lightly pressure wash the engine bay (cover the alternator and intake filter, if exposed), then spray with all-purpose cleaner and let sit for a minute or two. Then agitate (for dirty engines) with a brush. Rinse. Then spray down the entire engine bay (while it's still dripping wet) with diluted Meguiars Hyper Dressing and just leave it alone. And it'll dry to an awesome satin sheen:

      Click image for larger version

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      Click image for larger version

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      Attached Files


      2005 BMW M3 (6MT) Instagram
      2021 BMW M340i

      Need to stock up on some detailing products or spiff up your garage, then use my Obsessed Garage link!

      My Slow Burn (M3 build thread)
      My DOUBLE thread (garage build)

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        #4
        You can't just have a magic product, spray it on, rinse and have a clean engine bay. Just doesn't work that way.
        Cover sensitive electronics/electrics, spray some simple green, engine degreaser, etc - cleaner of your choice - and go to town - scrub with rags, brushes, etc. Once done - rinse with hose or I prefer actually a power washer - then I use a leaf blower to somewhat dry - and asses the areas that need additional cleaning - and repeat. Once that is done, take some plastic conditioners, microfiber rugs, etc, and go over everything item by item until your engine bay is clean. Sometimes it takes an entire day to get that done, but you won't regret it when your engine bay is looking like this:





        BMW / E46M Interior & Trim Restoration.
        https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/c...ch-restoration

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          #5
          Griots engine cleaner and engine bay dressing. Cover alternator with large ziplock bag
          Pressure washer to rinse and leaf blower to dry. Repeat every third or fourth wash. Click image for larger version

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            #6
            Sunny beach, that looks better than new...
            2004 M3 Mystic Blue

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              #7
              -Rinse dust and loose debris with garden hose
              -Spray diluted simple green heavy duty (the purple stuff, not the green stuff that etches aluminum), take your time to scrub with various brushes (this is the key step)
              -Rinse with garden hose or pressure washer (from 5 feet away)
              -Turn car on and let it idle for 20 minutes for engine to dry.
              -When engine is cool, apply dressing such as diluted carpro PERL
              2005 Phoenix Yellow M3 Coupe 6spd
              2013 Interlagos Blue M3 Coupe 6spd ZCP, CF roof
              2007 Imola Red Z4M Coupe

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                #8
                Like others have mentioned:

                1. I would start out by removing any leaves, etc
                2. I use EgoBlower to blow out any leaves etc.
                3. Spray APC like Nextzett Blitz or Megs, etc ( simple green can be used as well, but I don’t love it. )
                4. Use a few different size brushes to agitate the dirt
                5. Wipe with a microfiber / spray off
                6. CarPro Perl or Megs hyper dressing is a nice topper
                7. keep it clean and you will only have maintenance wipe downs in the future.

                I’ve also used a steam cleaner and brushes when I wanted to be extra careful. Then again, I pressure washed my buddies engine bay on his Ford GT with no issues ( covered the electronics ).



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                  #9
                  wow, looking at all of these, i realize how filthy my bay is! I'll be reverting back to this thread come spring time!
                  Instagram: @_Frank_Stone_

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                    #10
                    TexaZ3 Did you have the OEM bar wrapped in carbon fiber? Looks very nice.

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                      #11
                      Originally posted by DropTopKingM3 View Post
                      TexaZ3 Did you have the OEM bar wrapped in carbon fiber? Looks very nice.
                      Thanks, that's exactly what that is - vinyl wrapped stock bar.

                      I also did a slight variation on this with my Z4M bar:





                      Last edited by TexaZ3; 02-06-2021, 06:10 AM.
                      BMW / E46M Interior & Trim Restoration.
                      https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/c...ch-restoration

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                        #12
                        As hokey as it sounds, silicone lube spray works well on plastics for me

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                          #13
                          ^...no

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