The engine bay is the driving force behind your vehicle, figuratively and literally speaking. However, it is also that specific part of your vehicle that is subjected to intense amount of wear over long period of driving. It is therefore important to extend your auto detailing maintenance onto the car engine to keep in top running condition.
You will find out more about how this is performed, along with additional guidelines to keep in mind.
What You Need
Below are some of the materials you need to prepare before detailing your car engine:
• Plastic bag
• Water hose
• Water
• Metal polish
• Engine degreaser
• Wax
• Microfiber towel
• Vinyl protectant
• Wire brush
Prep Work
To get you started, you need to remove the hood first. Then, place either an aluminum foil or plastic bag to protect those areas on the engine that must not be soaked with water, or else it could suffer from mechanical damage. These parts include the distributors, coils, spark plugs, air intakes, among others.
Once you have secured all parts, spray the engine cleaner solution onto the entire engine surface. Make sure you spray onto the underside of the hood, as well. Let the solution soak for several minutes before proceeding onto the actual detailing process.
Auto Engine Detailing
Once the engine cleaner has soaked completely, take a large towel or wash mitt to scrub against the engine and other hard to reach areas for total cleaning. If you can, brush it thoroughly before rinsing it off with a water hose. Focus on removing all the oil and the dirt off the engine to make it seem brand new.
You need to begin from the underside of the hood and slowly work your way down. Avoid using the wide spray pattern since it is not really as effective in cleaning your engine. To enable it to quickly dry up, you can run the engine for a few minutes and the heat that it gives off should be able to dry it up quick enough.
Cleaning the Engine Compartment
Probably one of the biggest puzzles when auto detailing your car engine would be in terms of cleaning the engine compartment. You need to get rid of the oil, grime, and other substances that are left behind. Whether you are planning to resell your vehicle or not, it will boost the overall market value of your car.
You need to do this in an open area where you can let your vehicle park over a metal pan and you have plenty of room to operate. Then, open the car's hood to throw away any solid materials stuck in there. After that, start your car for about three minutes until your car warms up without getting too hot.
You can now turn it off before heading back to the engine compartment. Cover the air intake, ignition modes, battery, and coils with a plastic to avoid damaging your car engine. At this point, you are ready to spray degreaser all over the compartment then immediately wiping it off with a piece of cloth for easy cleaning process. To rinse it off completely, you can use a water hose or compressed water.
Once you remove all the plastic covering, you have completed detailing and maintenance procedure for your engine compartment.
Car owners who have invested on auto detailing for the first time would almost always resort to hiring professional services to do the detailing for them. But if you think that making that decision means the end of your involvement in this task, then think again. In fact, you perform the most important function since you have to pick out the professional service to hire and it could mean the difference between enjoy quality or mediocre detailing job.
Below are some of the key factors you must consider before hiring a professional auto detailer.
Auto Detail Servicing Needs
While the business of auto detailing is mainly concerned with vehicle aesthetics, car owners are now realizing the benefits of such services for the maintenance and enhancing performance of your vehicle. There are two basic components to auto detailing: interior and exterior detailing. The type of service and equipments needed to perform the job greatly differ between these two, hence you need to determine the services you need before you choose which professional detailer to hire.
Aside from the completion of the service you need for your vehicle, it will also make your job of choosing which professional detailer to hire. Most companies have their own field of specialization, whether it be engine cleaning, tire and wheel enhancement, painting jobs, among others. Knowing what kind of service you need and want could help narrow down your options.
Interior or Exterior Detailing?
As noted above, each professional detailing company have their own field of specialization. Would you want interior or exterior detailing for your vehicle? Either way you choose, there are more options of services to choose from wherein they also differ in scope. This is one example of each company's specialization. You can try asking around other people who have availed of the service for any of your prospected companies. Look into the specific job that was done and the rating at which that customer has given to the company. Some of these professional detailers might excel with exterior detailing but not as effective with interior detailing.
Tools and Equipments Available
When it comes to the tools and equipments that are used for various detailing jobs, there are different requirements for that. Hence, it is important that you have some level of knowledge on what equipments need to be used. Then, examine whether a particular detailer has got enough tools to complete the job required. This is crucial as it will affect the quality of the detailing job.
Qualification of Staff and Crew
What good are the tools and equipments if there are no qualified crews to operate them? Their level of expertise and knowledge when it comes to auto detailing and the ability to use the equipments as they are designed could mean the difference between well performing vehicle that is aesthetically pleasing at the same time. Hence, you not only ride in style but could also be confident while you are out on the road.
History of Professional Auto Detailing Service
This is an obvious factor to consider. There is no other factor more telling than a company's track record about its capability to perform the job required of them. You can begin by looking at the company's website to see testimonials and feedback provided by previous customers. But if these information are not readily available, you can conduct your own research or ask around your acquaintances to see if they can recommend any auto detailing company.
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