Most people usually spend a great deal of time cleaning the interior or exterior of their vehicles. These parts are important as it is what people usually see and admire. But the engine and its part are some of the parts that are overlooked by car owners. The engine is very crucial and it should not be left unattended. So, when cleaning your entire car, you should as well clean under the hood. Many people view this as challenging as they are afraid to damage parts under the hood. There is nothing to worry about as we have made things easier for you by providing steps to follow for success under the hood cleaning.
Collect the right items for cleaning under the hood
Gather and assemble the particulars that you will be using to clean the hood. Ensure you have a brush, hose, degreaser, plastic bags, rubber or vinyl protectant, tape, air compressor, car washing soap, and microfiber cloths.
Make sure that your engine is cold
Before you can start working under the hood, ensure that it is cold as a warm engine may lead to damage. The best time to clean below your hood is in the morning before you have driven t any place. Pick a shady area to carry out this activity.
Cover the electrical parts and the filters of the engine
Cover all the vulnerable parts of the engine before you start cleaning it. These include a carburetor, alternator, and distributor. Also, air intake and filters should be covered. Other filters can as well be covered or removed before cleaning. In addition, cover the electrical parts as water might cause them to complete the circuit. Use plastic bags and tape to cover and seal these parts respectively. This is also the ideal time to replace damaged filters with new ones.
Disconnect the battery cables
Disconnect the battery cables on your car engine as a short may be created when they get into contact with water. Remove the negative and positive and place them in a place where they are safe and away from water.
Spray the degreaser on non-sensitive parts
Apply the degreaser on the non-sensitive parts of the car engine prior to cleaning with water. The degreaser plays a vital role in the loosening of the dirt, grease, oil and carbon on the engine parts. Don’t spray it on sensitive where it might leak or drain into the engine causing problems.
Clean your engine with clean water
After letting the degreaser sit on the engine for around 10 to 15 minutes, you can go ahead and rinse it with water. Use a hose and the pressure should be moderate. This will assist to get rid of grime, dirt, and degreaser. Use the hose systematically so that you don’t soak the entire engine parts with water.
Wipe the engine with soap and water
Then, use soap and water to clean the grease, oil, and grime that has remained on the engine parts. This is as well the best time to clean the other engine parts that weren’t degreased. Rinse the engine again to remove the soapy water.
Dry off your engine
After rinsing the engine, it’s now time to dry it. Place it in a cool place to dry naturally. Then, use an air compressor to remove the water in hard-to-reach areas. You can as well apply a microfiber cloth to dry some other engine parts.
Remove the plastic bags and apply protectants to rubber and vinyl sections
Get rid of the plastic bags from the vulnerable engine sections. Continue cleaning with the cloth and apply a protectant to the rubber and vinyl parts of the engine. The protectant will make your engine look clean and new. But don’t apply it on sensitive parts as it might cause damage.
Connect the cables and test drive your car
After applying the protectant, you can now reconnect the cables to the battery and test your car. Do this regularly if you want to keep your engine in check and for it to perform exceptionally.