MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring

**OctaneGuy** · #1 06-26-2006, 05:07 PM

Helped a friend and club member flush his brakes the other day and when we finished, I noticed his engine could use some detailing. Didn't have enough time to detail the radiator with a tweezer but overall it came out pretty decent.

BEFORE

AFTER

K4KAS · #2 06-26-2006, 07:19 PM

Care to share some details on the products and process used?
BTW, I keep up with your site on your detail jobs. You share the passion as I do!
I quit doing details as side jobs because the Military takes a lot of my time.
I understand every word that comes out of your mouth! I am also what one would call, a consumer when it comes to detailing products.
I find it hard to find people as anal? as me!!

**OctaneGuy** · #3 06-26-2006, 07:54 PM

LOL!! I presume you are following it on the ShowCarGarage website? Since that's where I post all my latest work.

re: How I did it
Process was simple. I used a bug sprayer filled with water to drench the area. I normally cover the alternator to prevent water from getting in the coils, but on the MCS, it's buried pretty low and hard to get to, so I just stuffed a towel over it, and took care in where I sprayed water.

I used an assortment of nylon brushes. The largest being a body brush--the kind used for washing a car--with super soft flagged bristles. Soap was just car wash soap.

I used Meguiar's professional APC (All Purpose Cleaner) as a degreaser, and used a stiffer nylon brush to scrub in specific areas. I pretty much used the same brushes that I use for wheels on this engine.

Once I was satisfied with the cleaning, I rinsed it off with the bug sprayer again and dried it with an absorber towel. For the areas that were inaccessible or where the water liked to pool but couldn't be removed, I used a pancake air compressor to blow the water out and a towel to catch the water.

Once it was dry, I dressed the plastic with Meguiar's water based Hyperdressing which is just sprayed on. It looks milky when wet. I used an old microfiber towel to spread the dressing around and ensure I got all the plastics, hoses, and harnesses.

That was pretty much the process. Took a total of about 20 minutes. We were pressed for time, so I couldn't do much more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by K4KAS

Care to share some details on the products and process used?
BTW, I keep up with your site on your detail jobs. You share the passion as I do!
I quit doing details as side jobs because the Military takes a lot of my time.
I understand every word that comes out of your mouth! I am also what one would call, a consumer when it comes to detailing products.
I find it hard to find people as anal? as me!!

kenchan · #4 06-26-2006, 10:02 PM

it's like wearing clean underwear.

ImagoX · #5 06-27-2006, 08:16 AM

What's a "bug sprayer"?

sddave · #6 06-27-2006, 08:30 AM

Very nice

I agree, like wearing nice clean undies...kinda makes you want to show it off...the engine that is

I think Octane Guy is refering to those garden canisters with the long hose/nozzle and the T-handle on top. You can get them at Home Depot, Wal-mart. etc. I used mine to distribute chemical death on the dang ants, jeeze those guys are everywhere

**OctaneGuy** · #7 06-27-2006, 10:46 AM

Like this. You just fill it with water and pump it up. Now you have a pressurized water source thats convenient and lower pressure than a hose. Great for engine detailing where you don't want water getting inside the computers or in electrical areas.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...63&cp&kw=74497

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImagoX

What's a "bug sprayer"?

Kentiki
Nice job. Do you find any heat related issues by waxing the paint in the engine compartment? I would have thought the high heat would have pretty much disintegrated any applied wax.

SDDave
Thanks!! The good thing is that if yo do it right, it'll stay looking that way too! LOL.

ImagoX · #8 06-27-2006, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OctaneGuy

Like this. You just fill it with water and pump it up. Now you have a pressurized water source thats convenient and lower pressure than a hose. Great for engine detailing where you don't want water getting inside the computers or in electrical areas.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...63&cp&kw=74497

I read someplace else that you can use the "Mist" setting on your hose for this as well- since it's so low pressure, no water should be forced into wiring.

Also, where's the alternator, and you just cover it with a towel?

**OctaneGuy** · #9 06-27-2006, 02:02 PM

Yes you can use the mist setting on your hose. The trouble is that a hose isn't always practical. I worked in my garage, and didn't want a lot of water running all over my floor. With the bug sprayer, I can control the amount of overflowing water. But use whatever works for you.

As for the alternator--look for a big cylindrical object with slots on it, and inside of it are copper windings. You'll find it on the lower left hand side of the engine on the MCS near the supercharger pulley.

In general I will wrap it with a plastic bag, but since it wasn't accessible, a soft towel and careful spraying with water worked just as well.

Richard

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImagoX

I read someplace else that you can use the "Mist" setting on your hose for this as well- since it's so low pressure, no water should be forced into wiring.

Also, where's the alternator, and you just cover it with a towel?

Kentiki · #10 06-27-2006, 09:05 AM

Nice! And you are not alone. My quick wipe down of the engine bay turned into an hour or so on Sunday. I had to claybar some of the painted areas (had some tough grease marks), and of course wax them.

Kentiki · #11 06-27-2006, 11:06 AM

I'll look for heat-related issues. I'm sure the wax won't last long. It's REALLY hot down here now, like 95+, so under the bonnet has been practically untouchable! I noticed that when water dripped onto the painted surfaces under the bonnet, it left pretty bad water spots. That's the main reason I waxed it.

Ken

jwardell · #12 06-27-2006, 11:15 AM

Looks great, but I must say even the Before photo is cleaner than my engine bay looks even a month after detailing it.

Tons of snow and rain are not friendly to your engine bay.

**OctaneGuy** · #13 06-27-2006, 11:20 AM

LOL. Yes living in California does have it's advantages for our MINIs!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwardell

Looks great, but I must say even the Before photo is cleaner than my engine bay looks even a month after detailing it.

Tons of snow and rain are not friendly to your engine bay.

ImagoX · #14 06-27-2006, 02:19 PM

Awesome- thanks so much. This forum is the best...

**OctaneGuy** · #15 06-27-2006, 03:40 PM

You're welcome. A couple of other pluses for the bug sprayer. Fill it with warm water--sometimes more effective on grease. Fill it with some soapy water to get to areas that are otherwise inaccessible with the brush. Etc....

Richard

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImagoX

Awesome- thanks so much. This forum is the best...

pinkmini · #16 08-13-2006, 12:41 AM

Thanks for this post! I just got my mcs and she's pre-owned. Although well taken care of outside, I'd be ashamed to show the engine compartment after seeing those pics. Funny, I never thought I'd care so much about cleaning my car. I always used to pic on my husband because he'd put a towel over his floor mats after detailing his truck!

Edit~ Well this am I actually got up early and detailed the engine! Still not as shiny as that one but almost there!!

before

after