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  1. #1
    ABCDetail's Avatar
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    Need critiquing of my engine detailing!

    I`ve had a lot of requests for engine detailing, but have yet to offer it since I had no experience doing them. So I decided to start practicing, and need to find out if I`m doing a decent job. This is my third one, on a little silver C class I`m going to be messing with all week. I wet the entire engine, degreased, used a spoke brush for hard to reach areas, and then rinsed. Then I used Megs PPC on the painted parts and dressed with Poly Protectant (local Car Brite Distr.). It took about an hour, is that average? Let me know what ya think, thanks!

    before:
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  2. #2
    ABCDetail's Avatar
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    sorry, it was getting dark so the flash made it a little hazy!

    after:
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  3. #3
    ABCDetail's Avatar
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    after:
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  4. #4
    Mod Squad
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    Nice work!

  5. #5
    Woob's Avatar
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    Hmmm seems like it cleared up the engine just fine, but the flash pictures make it look like there isnt any protectant at all. I`m guessing the dressing is making it look like brand new.

    Just wondering, how busy is business nowadays?

  6. #6
    ABCDetail's Avatar
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    Yeah, the Poly doesn`t leave a real high shine, just a real clean natural look to it. I think next time I`m gonna use another CarBrite product that came out called Perfect 10, leaves a higher shine. Oh, and business is booming, startin to get a little humid here in Cary though ya know!

  7. #7
    Beautification Specialist dr_detail's Avatar
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    Look-n-Good!!

    Here`s a method I`ve used with years of great results...
    on a motor, warm to the touch: [list=1][*] saturate motor with degreaser [*] wipe down any areas that are extremely dirty[*] saturate again[*] pressure wash off -- taking care not to directly blast fuse/relay boxes[*] blow dry with an air gun[*] clean and wax any painted areas that may need it[*] saturate with diluted dressing [*] close hood and go about detailing rest of car[*] when rest of car is done, except for waxing; open hood and dry/wipe down puddled areas, check hoses that did not get coated adequately and check areas that might have uneven dressing[*] start the car and let run for a couple of minutes, shut it off and wipe up dressing splatter on the inside of the hood.[*] finish up the car[/list=1] This method works on 98% of all vehicles most detailers will encounter today. Old carbureted and distributor cap & rotor type vehicles I will remove the air cleaner, stuff a rag down the carb, and cover with a baggie rubber band. Then, when I blow dry the motor, I will remove the cap and spray a little ether into it and let dry before replacing it.
    A happy customer tells a friend ... An unhappy one tells many friends !!!

    Gim-me a car with finns... :naughty and I`ll shows ya what detailin`s all about... :jump

  8. #8
    overtheedge's Avatar
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    Ususally when I do an engine detail, I spray all aluminum and other metal engine parts with WD-40. It eliminates any white staining you may get from cleaners and it makes the metal look new while offering protection. One advantage to using WD-40 on engine parts is that it makes them easier to clean the next time. You could possibly get some buildup from dirt sticking to the oily surface, so giving it a little wipe down afterwards helps. Don`t leave it soaking wet.
    "I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter." - Sir Winston Churchill

  9. #9
    Woob's Avatar
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    Originally posted by ABCDetail
    Yeah, the Poly doesn`t leave a real high shine, just a real clean natural look to it. I think next time I`m gonna use another CarBrite product that came out called Perfect 10, leaves a higher shine. Oh, and business is booming, startin to get a little humid here in Cary though ya know!
    Good to see. Its troublesome now just to find a job. I am sorta liking this overcast right now.

    By the way, do you have a DBA Permit?

  10. #10
    ABCDetail's Avatar
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    Yup, sure do. So you need a job? Hmmm, I`m looking for some part time help if your interested....

  11. #11
    Woob's Avatar
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    Talking

    Check your PM. Grabbing a detail job would be awesome!

  12. #12
    GraniteState's Avatar
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    The engine looks great. It usually takes me about a half hour 45 min to do a complete engine bay so a hour is about right making sure the nooks and crannies are clean seperates us from the guy down the road....

    Good job
    Jay
    DISTINGUISHED DETAILING

    Work and hope, but don`t hope more than you work!

  13. #13
    Glorified cleaning lady M23Accord's Avatar
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    Hmm, Im surprised no one has said anything about water+engine electronics, especially on a Benz. I wouldnt want to pay for a computer gone bad because of a cleaning.

    Some precautions you should take. Spray WD-40 on all electrical connectors, it repels the water. Also, cover any high risk areas with aluminum foil like the fuse box, altenator, ecus, etc. Oh, never use EngineBrite or any heavy duty degreasers (the ones that spray). They deteriorate the hoses, belts, and other rubber. With the dressing, make sure it is water based for the same reasons.
    We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.

  14. #14
    Goof Off Rocks! denverdetail's Avatar
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    All good stuff.

    I will usually run the engine for 15 minutes so the grease washes off easier.
    I`ve been busy but I`ll try to make some time.

  15. #15
    Beautification Specialist dr_detail's Avatar
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    In close to 20 years of detailing, and the # of details running in the thousands, I`ve only had one incident with a computer gone bad... it was on a 10 year old `79 Cadilliac with, if I remember right, one of those short lived deisel motors. (the dealer deemed it was questionable whether it was due to the wash or just a bad part so we split the cost of the repair). I have had a couple of vehicles backfire and a few stall due to not drying out the distributor adequitly but never anything else.

    I also might mention that with the new EPA regulations, unless there is a water trap at the location, I no longer offer this service... the risk is just not worth the $35 up-sale.
    A happy customer tells a friend ... An unhappy one tells many friends !!!

    Gim-me a car with finns... :naughty and I`ll shows ya what detailin`s all about... :jump

 

 
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