How do you clean/detail the engine block? | FerrariChat

How do you clean/detail the engine block?

Discussion in '360/430' started by LINY, Feb 21, 2017.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. LINY

    LINY Rookie

    Aug 2, 2016
    16
    Winter in the northeast now and the car (2005 F430 Spider) has been sitting in the garage on a lift.

    I have been slowly detailing more of the non-chassis areas like the wheel wells, etc.

    I would like to know how best to detail the the red engine block head covers. The red intake covers are immaculate but I don't like the difference I see in the cleanliness between the two.

    Can someone let me know how best to do this. Thanks!
     
  2. mkzhang

    mkzhang Formula Junior

    Oct 5, 2009
    535
    Philadelphia
    Full Name:
    Mike
    I would say be careful with it. A damp non abrasive towel or something that won't get its fiber caught on the wrinkle paint would be good.

    The oem wrinkle paint were put on without prepping the metal and there's no primer. It doesn't take much to chip the paint off, mine is actually getting repainted as we speak


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  3. LINY

    LINY Rookie

    Aug 2, 2016
    16
    Thanks. What do you use to get all the way down there?
    Will steam work?
     
  4. Kevin Rev'n

    Kevin Rev'n Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 29, 2009
    22,965
    Honolulu
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    I have wiped my red intake covers down with Aerospace 303 and had good results. Mine looks great but my car is not out in the elements much so YMMV.
     
  5. LINY

    LINY Rookie

    Aug 2, 2016
    16
    I'm talking about the engine block head covers.

    The intake covers are easy to get cleaned but I'm not sure how to get the engine block head covers cleaned.
     
  6. ideloera

    ideloera Formula Junior

    Jun 2, 2015
    525
    Chicago
    Full Name:
    Isi
    Remove the engine panels to have easy access to the cam covers. Wipe them down with a damp cloth.
     
  7. Kevin Rev'n

    Kevin Rev'n Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 29, 2009
    22,965
    Honolulu
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    If I had a need to try I would get me some of the nice wool wheel wheel cleaning brushes and dampen with some simple green or hot water and a mid cleaner mixed. I have a set of these from Ammo NYC and they are very nice tools. The curved handle one is great. I was trying to link to the site for you but it says buy on Amazon? and I don't see the curved one anymore hmmmm.

    https://www.ammonyc.com/shop/wheel-woolies/
     
  8. stocker85

    stocker85 Rookie

    Feb 20, 2017
    18
    This Is Not bad
     
  9. LINY

    LINY Rookie

    Aug 2, 2016
    16
    Oh OK. I'll do that.
     
  10. LINY

    LINY Rookie

    Aug 2, 2016
    16
    I do have those wheel woolies. I will try them out.

    Thanks!
     
  11. Bruce

    Bruce Karting
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 27, 2004
    60
    The label on the bottle of Simple Green that I have specifically cautions against using it on aluminum. A friend of mine was warned of the potential issues when he was using it on his airplane.
    I'm not sure what it does to aluminum, but I suspect it causes some corrosion.
    Maybe start with pure water of some detailing spray?
    Good luck!
     
  12. mkzhang

    mkzhang Formula Junior

    Oct 5, 2009
    535
    Philadelphia
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Usually I do mine opportunistically during the times when I have the under tray off, and I'm under the car. Just reach up and over the headers.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  13. Kevin Rev'n

    Kevin Rev'n Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 29, 2009
    22,965
    Honolulu
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    Thats good to know! The cam covers should be painted but I would try something else to be safe.
     
  14. V8TDF

    V8TDF Rookie
    BANNED

    May 2, 2014
    32
    Stamford
    I found APC worked wonders on the red tops of my 360
     

Share This Page