cleaning engine bay...help!

[cold96snake]

Okay, tried cleaning engine bay per purdy engine bay thread in show and shine and it worked okay. Warm engine up, rinse with light sprinkle of water, spray simple green everywhere, soak,rinse, repeat. Don't beleive ever cleaned before. Anyway lots of grease, dirt gone but a thin layer of film is on some parts, especially plastic, rubber parts. I can peel some of it off, and scrape it off with finger nails, kinda looks like dandruff. Some of it doesn't want to come off at all. Tried wd-40, engine degreaser, more simple green. What is it? An especially tough layer of dirt/wax/grease? Protectant? Do i just need to let it soak longer before rinsing?
What is a good general purpose engine cleaner that won't react with rough or polished aluminum or intake manifold that i can spray over entire engine minus air filter/intake?

 

[97cobra281]

I know the exact stuff your looking for...goto your local motorcycle shop and pick up a bottle of "CYCLE WASH". This stuff is down right amazing on engine compartments(and dirt bikes). Its safe on everything and all you have to do is spray it on(preferably a cold engine as it will dry) and hose it off. Its soap based so there's no residual oily junk left over. for heavier build up use a tooth brush to get it and a little more cycle wash..its not bad on paint but you will see where it might take wax off so try to keep it and the over spray(spray on and off over spray that is) off the fenders..the cycle wash runs about $20 a gallon, and the bottle runs $8-12,and a bottle will wash the about 2 engine compartments(i dont skimp on use,the more the better)...you'll still have to armoral the rubber(hoses,etc) for that detailed look, but the cycle wash cleans all the chrome and painted pieces like you've never seen before...good luck

 

[cold96snake]

Thanks, I found another website that where a poster suggested STEAM, 2 cans of it, available autoparts store. also suggested castrol tire cleaner and steel wool for alt. So i guess i have a couple more things to try.
Will it clean the rubber/plastic parts before i armorall them?

 

[rdmustangkid]

Steam works good. Also Gunk engine cleaner also works good. I like the new gunk that has the citrus in it. It cleaned up my alum intake on my 65 fastback great. It had fuel stains on it and this stuff took it off!

 

[SVTCobra97]

Do you have to cover up anything on your engine?? (battery, etc?) Or can you just spray and wash everything?

 

[rdmustangkid]

On my 65's I cover the carb and dist. Then hose the whole engine and fire wall down . I try not to get any on the ext paint. I put towels over the fenders when spraying the cleaner. Let it sit for a few, washer her down with water. Then go in with the towel to wipe up all the water. Check my gallery out. You'll know what I'm talking about.

 

[cold96snake]

What about on your '94 and '03? do you cover your alt. or coils? How about your belts? do they just slip for a little while until they dry off?

 

[rdmustangkid]

The 03 the coils are already covered. The 94 I cover the dist. I haven't had any problem with belt slipping on any of the cars. I forgot one thing. I use my air gun a blow out areas I can't reach and get the excess water out.

 

[cold96snake]

thanks.