Is steam cleaning a safe and effective way to clean the engine and the whole compartment? What should I do to prep the area first? What should I avoid spraying? What if any type of degreaser is recommended?
Thanks.

 

simple green and some elbow grease is the safest way to clean it.

 

Brake parts cleaner works well, too.

 

1. Spray with Simple Green. (About 6oz should do it)
2. Wash off with hose. (Pressure washer it you got it.)
3. Blow dry with leaf blower. (5-10 minutes)
(repeat 1-2-3 if it's really bad)
4. Light spray with Armorall or similar.
5. Finish with the leaf blower.

 

Be very careful with brake cleaner. It will strip paint.

 

And you should NOT use a power washer and should be very careful using a simple garden hose. You defintely don't want water getting anywhere it shouldn't be. Anyone who does it regularly will tell you to wrap electrical connections in plastic and seal it with tape.

 

Be careful with any cleaner. Even simple green states that it may tarnish aluminum if left soaking for too long.

 

what i always use, is good ol' "Purple Power" **** is strong as hell and will clean anything, you may want to delute it some though, i dont, but, you might if you arent really careful with it, use a cheap tooth brush for the hard places, and water hose frequently, just what i always do and its great. hehe, have phun

 

What all electrical and other items need to be covered before applying water and or detegents?

 

I used surran wrap (sp.) to cover up electrical stuff and the air filters, and it worked great.

1. Disconnect the battery; if there is no juice in the lines, your chances of a short are reduced greatly.

2. Cover up the air filters, main and air pump.

3. Cover up the coils just to be safe.

4. Cover up the alternator just to be safe.

And that should do it; that's what I did and my car started right up.

Don't spray the radiator directly with the stream of water, as it might crincle all of the fins, which are very fragile.

 

Thanks Samps. Just got the car and 14 years of dust is getting on my last nerve. I hate a dirty car. They even feel faster if they are clean!

 

I have never had a problem with any electricals. The trick is the leaf blower to chase off all excess water. The silicone spray isn't just for looks. It displaces moisture and seals out condensation. The blower then does a great job of shining it up and spreading it everywhere evenly.
Of course, if I had a cone air filter, I'd bag it.

 

I just bought two cans of that GUNK stuff. Let you know how everything turns out....