Anyone got any engine detailing tricks?

[Pats-GN]

Whats the best way to clean the dull cast items, alternator etc.? Everything else is pretty easy. Will anything brighten this stuff up?

thanks
pat

 

[ES1]

I used Mothers Mag Wheel polish and it did a pretty good job.

 

[GN ERGY]

Those red scotchbrite pads are pretty good at cleaning stuff. I took my alternator apart and painted the cast parts metallic red, which is my accent color, and the coil black. Aluminum foil is good for covering surrounding parts if you want to paint a specific part and not get paint on everything. Also the clear acrylic is good for making things look new again and keeps aluminum from oxidizing again after you clean it. Tarey D.

 

[1ARUNEM]

Off topic..

Pat,
Who is painting your GN? Are they in Jasper?

My T Type is out there getting done.

 

[matt87]

i dampen the motor ,cover all vitals that need not to get wet then i spray with simple green. let it sit for 5 min then rinse.

 

[gnXfan]

Originally posted by matt87
i dampen the motor ,cover all vitals that need not to get wet then i spray with simple green. let it sit for 5 min then rinse.

That is how Ron's Custom Auto does it. Simple green is the $hit under there. After 5 minutes they hit it with the high pressure hose, then with a high pressure air hose to dry it. Finishes with armour all all around. Smells great, looks great, and as Ron says, "A clean engine runs better....in your head"

 

[Tom87GN]

I agree with Ron! There's nothing better than blowing someone's doors off and then showing them how nice and clean under the hood is!!

What I do after the simple green treatment / drying is spray all the black items down with SS100 engine treatment. You can buy this stuff from any Harley shop and it works great. Kinda like Armour All too except it has a fine tuned nozzle so you can hit the small places without too much trouble.

I agree with using Mother's aluminum polish on the alternator too. That stuff works great and makes my wheels look awesome.

 

[b231v6]

I'll agree with simple green but do not use Castrol super clean. It left my tb and valve covers kinda whitish.

 

[matt87]

if your buick engine is dirty enough to need that castrol stuff, you should be ashamed! J\K! that stuff is harsh! use caution as it will even leave white streaks in your paint if it gets on it!

 

[Pats-GN]

I used the purple power stuff, then coated it with armor all, looks pretty good, just a few dull parts I'm trying to shine up.

1ARUNEM: I got it painted in Cullman, AL, they did a good job at a good price, I'm just trying get it all back together. Who in Jasper's doing yours?

thanks guys

 

[1of1547]

I had my valve covers, intake, and plenum bead blasted and clear coated. It make life alot easier. This winter my wheels are getting the same treatment.

 

[Red Regal T]

Originally posted by Pats-GN
Whats the best way to clean the dull cast items, alternator etc.? Everything else is pretty easy. Will anything brighten this stuff up?

thanks
pat

SOMETIMES IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CLEAN CAST ALUMINUM PARTS. I GAVE UP TAKING THE TIME TO TRY. YOU CAN PURCHASE A CAN OF KRYLON "DULL ALUMINUM" SPRAY PAINT. THAT'S WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE........BRAND NEW CLEAN ALUMINUM. MUCH EASIER THAN SCRUBBING AWAY AND LOOKS BETTER.

 

[Pats-GN]

Thanks guys