Engine bay budget clean

raptor_f22 · 11-27-2015, 09:15 AM

Hi everyone! A few weeks back I bought the car i've always wanted. Sadly the previous owner didn't really look after it and ever since I got it, I wanted to have a crack at the engine bay which was filthy

Title of the post states "budget" and that's exactly how I approached it. Quite strapped for cash since buying the car and I sold all my detailing equipment a few months back when I had to move house

My approach:
- Not removing any parts
- No polishing of metal
- No use of quick detailer or anything that would buff it to a shine
- Reach anywhere my stubby fingers can realistically get!

Pics follow below.

BEFORE
What she looked like under the hood:

My toolkit (yes, Dettol for APC. I really do mean budget!):

Getting started (filthy!!) and yes, those are those free plastic gloves you get at Shell garages

:

AFTER 4 HOURS

The oil and marks on the engine cover just wouldn't shift :wall: they seem to have got underneath the lacquer/clearcoat. Any ideas on how to get rid?

It's not perfect I realise, I'd give my own work a 5/10 maybe but open to ideas on how to improve once I have some proper detailing kit

SMH · 11-29-2015, 01:08 AM

From what it use to look like, i think it looks great.

slimxb8 · 11-29-2015, 08:48 AM

wow what a mess!! Great job! hey how do you have a dip stick??lol

raptor_f22 · 11-29-2015, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimxb8

wow what a mess!! Great job! hey how do you have a dip stick??lol

lol thanks. I think it comes as standard with the 330d

chinko · 11-29-2015, 09:07 AM

Maybe a scrub pad with engine degreaser? Wouldnt go farther than that, it's a nice job you did there.

NYBulldog · 11-29-2015, 11:55 AM

Wow that came out great. Honestly the grease on the engine cover has likely been there so long it's virtually impossible to take out. You could probably get the contaminate out but the visual scar will stay. My recommendation is to go ahead and paint it the color of your choice. Spray it all silver first. After its dry then tape off the silver lines and spray it with the color of your choice. Huge difference though, nice job.

raptor_f22 · 11-30-2015, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYBulldog

Wow that came out great. Honestly the grease on the engine cover has likely been there so long it's virtually impossible to take out. You could probably get the contaminate out but the visual scar will stay. My recommendation is to go ahead and paint it the color of your choice. Spray it all silver first. After its dry then tape off the silver lines and spray it with the color of your choice. Huge difference though, nice job.

That's interesting...I might try that! Thanks!

BoogeyMan'sBMW · 12-01-2015, 11:04 AM

Good work, night and day difference.

11-27-2015, 09:15 AM	#1
raptor_f22 Lieutenant 133 Rep 508 Posts Drives: E92 330d M Sport Auto Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Surrey/Hampshire UK iTrader: (0)	Engine bay budget clean - E92 330d M Sport Hi everyone! A few weeks back I bought the car i've always wanted. Sadly the previous owner didn't really look after it and ever since I got it, I wanted to have a crack at the engine bay which was filthy Title of the post states "budget" and that's exactly how I approached it. Quite strapped for cash since buying the car and I sold all my detailing equipment a few months back when I had to move house My approach: - Not removing any parts - No polishing of metal - No use of quick detailer or anything that would buff it to a shine - Reach anywhere my stubby fingers can realistically get! Pics follow below. BEFORE What she looked like under the hood: My toolkit (yes, Dettol for APC. I really do mean budget!): Getting started (filthy!!) and yes, those are those free plastic gloves you get at Shell garages : AFTER 4 HOURS The oil and marks on the engine cover just wouldn't shift :wall: they seem to have got underneath the lacquer/clearcoat. Any ideas on how to get rid? It's not perfect I realise, I'd give my own work a 5/10 maybe but open to ideas on how to improve once I have some proper detailing kit
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11-29-2015, 01:08 AM	#2
SMH Captain 64 Rep 620 Posts Drives: 2011 335i E90 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Reno, NV iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i [0.00]	From what it use to look like, i think it looks great. __________________ Dinan Stage 2, Active Autowerke Exhaust, Mishimoto Intercooler, ER Chargepipe IG: SMH_N55
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11-29-2015, 08:48 AM	#3
slimxb8 First Lieutenant 52 Rep 308 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW 328i [0.00]	wow what a mess!! Great job! hey how do you have a dip stick??lol
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11-29-2015, 09:07 AM	#5
chinko First Lieutenant 48 Rep 361 Posts Drives: 335i coupe Join Date: May 2013 Location: montreal iTrader: (0)	Maybe a scrub pad with engine degreaser? Wouldnt go farther than that, it's a nice job you did there.
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11-29-2015, 11:55 AM	#6
NYBulldog Specialist 1320 Rep 2,708 Posts Drives: Nikes Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: NuYawk iTrader: (19)	Wow that came out great. Honestly the grease on the engine cover has likely been there so long it's virtually impossible to take out. You could probably get the contaminate out but the visual scar will stay. My recommendation is to go ahead and paint it the color of your choice. Spray it all silver first. After its dry then tape off the silver lines and spray it with the color of your choice. Huge difference though, nice job.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

12-01-2015, 11:04 AM	#8
BoogeyMan'sBMW Lieutenant Colonel 123 Rep 1,940 Posts Drives: SLOW Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Queens NY iTrader: (4)	Good work, night and day difference.
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