Exhibit A)





Many of your engine bays PROBABLY, look similar to this. After realizing that I should clean it up, seeing that I let it slideeeeee for a while, I man'd up and took some tips that I got from TJ and Panda_1 from South Florida Maximas about cleaning and polishing the engine.



Exhibit B)





Ok, this is what it looks like after about an hour 1/2 of sanding with 180 grit sandpaper (by hand) and 400grit wet sand paper, with soapy water never letting the 400grit go dry. I also used some simple green max, at first to remove any grease or dirt that may have built up on there.

Doesn't look too bad, much better than what it was, but I knew it wasn't completely done, so the next day I came back for another hour or so and continued to do the process over again (my hands were all cut up and hurtin from the cold so i took a break) 45 degrees outside.




Exhibit C)










The final product! After sanding the next day, I went to autozone and bought Mother's Incredible Billet Metal Polish, and Dupli-Color Auto Spray for the engine cover (plastic part). I removed the plastic engine cover and wet sanded it down with the 400grit paper, after hitting it with the simple green to remove anything on there. Note: Simple Green will remove the paint from the engine cover. Not like paint thinner, but you'll see what I mean when you do this process.

I taped off the NISSAN on the engine cover with masking tape and used an exacto knife to cut around the letters. Then I did about 6 light coats of paint, using pretty much 90% of the 5oz spray paint bottle I purchased.

It will dry to touch in not that long, but be sure to let it air dry well. Do NOT touch the paint, hold the cover from underneath or lightly from the sides. (I had to add another layer cause I touched it while putting it on and it left a print).

The outcome, perfect, I am pleased with the hardwork that I did to make the engine look that way, seeing that it is a new engine, I should keep it looking that way.

Special thanks to TJ Max, & Panda_1 (Ramsey) from South Florida Maximas, on giving me the ideas and supplies I'd need to do this.

 

you missed the PS bottle

 

PS bottle?

 

power steering

 

nice work! yeah, the PS bottle looks grimey

 

Werd, yah I'll hit that up.

 

Thanks homie, busted my *** on it.

 

Looks great. Nice job.

You need some new hood struts, though. That stick doesn't do it for me.

 

Thank you much! I appreciate the comment!

 

Good job!
I love simple green!! it does wonders to an engine bay and works awesome on wheels!!!

 

you're not done yet, gotta get the intake mani that shiny

 

Looks nice and clean.

 

I know, I know. Definately not done, but better along than what I originally was...

Putting a MEVI there, so that will cover all that up. lol

 

Hey guys I just cleaned my engine bay this weekend but was very unhappy with the results. I used simple green, a power washer and some elbow grease but it still didnt come out too well. Any suggestions? I'm thinking of steam cleaning but I'm not sure yet. Here's the pics...

(still gotta add clear coat to the engine cover and paint the brake fluid cap)

 

Looks pretty clean to me. Are you talking about the valve cover being dirty? If so, just polish it.

 

Yeah I didnt sand or polish so I'll get back in there this weekend. My strut bar should be in as well. I'll post some more pics.

 

Nice work bro.

 

you did a very good job, i need to do the same to my car too.

 

Wow so, you just did 180 dry sand on the valve cover and timing cover and then 400 wet sand to get it to look like that? That looks awesome, does it rust later on though or not?

 

Shouldn't rust, but you have to keep polishing it or it will fade away.

 

Digital..did your cover look like mine before? If it did then I might try to get it polished nice.

 

so would everyone say that simple green is the best for cleaning the engine compartment?

 

It came out great! Its amazing what a little TLC does for the appearance of the engine compartment.

 

Simple Green works well for removing grease. Just make sure the engine isn't hot when you do it.

 

Simple Green can work well, but make sure you don't, ahh, rub the surrounding paint too vigorously, lest you be like me and go right through the paint.

 

Which parts did you sand?

 

Looks great. Now all you have to do is get a good hood support rod or struts. The wooden stick is out of place now that the rest of the engine is cleaned up and real purdy lookin.

 

did you hit with anything those parts you've sanded?