Most car owners believe that once a car’s
exterior is restored to the same mirror-like shine that it had when it was
bought, it is already clean enough. A car’s performance goes beyond what you
can see with your naked eyes. In fact, some of the newer technological
developments in the automotive industry like mobile car detailing are geared towards providing all-around care for every part
of the car.
No matter how small or big, each component
impacts on the car’s overall performance and beauty in equal measure. As a car
owner, you need to be proactive in taking steps to trace any damage that your
car sustains from everyday use.
Open it up
The engine is usually overlooked when the
car is given a standard bath in the garage, largely because car owners are
afraid to touch anything under the hood lest the car starts malfunctioning.
However, even the simplest mobile detailing job will touch on something inside
the engine block. It’s relatively safe for even someone with the barest car
care knowledge to do a little tinkering under the hood, provided that he’s
ready to get his hands dirty in the process.
If you’re planning to do a little mobile
car detailing work on your own, you should be prepared to use a variety of
simple car tools that will help you work your way through the tangle of wires,
tubes, and components that make up your car’s engine.
Work your way in
Some people prefer to work on a just-warm
engine so that the dirt and grease are a little loose, while others want the engine
really cold. Whatever your preference may be, remember never to touch an engine
compartment while it’s still hot.
Begin the cleaning process by taking out
any debris trapped in the hood, grille, and vent openings. A can of compressed
air can help you blast the debris away, but a simple soft bristled brush can do
the job just as well.
Before wetting any part of the engine, be
sure to cover the spark plug, sensors, engine air intake, alternator, and any
other exposed electrical device. Mobile detailing experts use different
materials to use as a cover, but aluminium foil is probably the cheapest and
handiest thing you can find at home.
Next, apply your degreaser of choice and
allow it to soak for a couple of minutes. Don’t forget to include the fluid containers
and hoses when you degrease the engine bay. Mobile car detailing experts
usually use steam pressure washers to do this part of the job because it helps
them get most of the dirt off. If you don’t have a steam cleaner at home, just
use your fingers and a soft parts cleaning brush to chip away at the
accumulated grime.
Work your way from the bottom of the engine
bay so that the dirty degreaser fluid doesn’t drip on you. Once you’ve wiped down everything and taken
out as much of the dirt as your cleaning implements allow you to, hose down
everything with a generous spray of water.
Top off the job with a coat of engine
protectant and rubber or vinyl protectant to keep everything grime-free for as
long as possible.
Keep it clean all the time
Vehicle engines are expensive to replace
but rather easy to maintain. With regular and proper cleanup work, you should
be able to extend your engine’s lifetime considerably. Adding your own cleaning
routine to that of your favorite mobile detailing
specialist’s will definitely go a long way towards making your car look its
best inside and out.
