i know this might be a touchy subject and all, dealing with the stealerships AND a clean truck, but i was wondering if anyone knew what the dealerships used to clean the engines and such with? every time i go to look at a 4runner the engine bays are spotless and i ask the dealer and they give me some bogus answer like "well, i dont exactly know what it is that has to do with our shop, but if you would like to bring yours in we would gladly do it for ya".. anybody that works at a dealership know what this stuff is?

 

no dealership connections here, but some orange-based cleaner and a stiff-bristled tire brush does me good. alot of people on here like mean green, and I tried it, and that works just as good but a little more pricey.

after 'cleaning' it go back with some son-of-a-gun tire shine, and spray it down, let it soak for 5 minutes or so, and wipe it off, you engine will be dazzling.

 

thanks i might try that, trying to get my car cleaned up all nice a purty like so i can get back into the yota scene

 

also, don't let the cleaner dry on anything (don't clean it hot). common sense, but just a precaution.

 

Blow out all the dust & leaves with compressed air. Next degreaser and a pressure washer, then armor all, then rinse with pressure washer again. Take it easy on the dist & wires, you can blow dry with compressed air if you want.

 

few years ago when i was in the process of selling my Honda Accord, i asked a contractor who washes cars for dealerships how to clean the engine bay. because i have a $60 power washer at home, thing were easy.

first, let the car sit overnite, start the engine, run it about 30 seconds to a minute till the engine is warm, NOT HOT!!. shut it down, disconnect the battery, both + and - posts. take out the battery. if there is too much trouble to take it out, cover the posts with a plastic bag then put a wet rag on top to hold still. spray the engine with Gunk remover, then wash it off with power washer IMMEDIATELY. wipe everything down with a nice thick piece of rag. at last, a light coat of Armorall will put a good shine on top.

but remeber to re-connect the battery before you fold the hood and jump in the driver seat trying to start the engine. i did that and i knew people wer laughing at me in the back. the who thing should be over in 30 minutes.

 

if you put any kind of "shine" stuff like armor all on your motor and etc the dirt will cake back on there in time. it sucks. yeah it looks good now but you will regret it later. i bought my tacoma last year from a dealer and they put some monkey funk on there to make it look new and shiny but the stuff they put on the black intake hose and other plastic pieces caked on it over time. it was a PIA to clean it off..