engine bay cleaning and painting
 

what do you recommend to get all the funk out of an engine bay? I used that stuff you dump in and pump out and it worked ok. But i want to get it spic and span while eth engien is out. I also want to paint it. I would like to get a smoother appearance to it as well as make it look cleaner. Currently the glass is kind of stained and funky in spots.

SO what do you recommend. I would prefer to spray it on (love to use the compressor and spray gun)

I am also plannign on doing my engine itself. What do you recommend to strip all the old paint and rust off? One of those wire bursh wheels and drill? I even saw a small light duty sandblaster kit the other day for $65 would that be overkill? And is there a paint that woudl work well on the engine and on the engien bay?

thanks

i like playing with my compressor and spray gun too so while my engine was out, i sprayed paint thinner in the engine compartment. then used a rag later with more thinner and wiped it clean. the fumes aare an added bonus. permatex gasket remover in a spray can strips just about anything, paint included. just have to let it soak.

I've cleaned my engine bay so you can picnic on the floor. When the engine was out, I scrubbed all I could with 409 and degreaser, then washed it completely down with soap and water. Now I removed the bilge pump and hoses, wires, etc. Next at west marine I bought a poly paint in a blue container that is bullet proof and works wonderful. It covers all the stains and washes down very easily.
The bay looks beautiful, so try it!:p

Simple Green and HOT water.

i just redid my bilge and after i scrubbed it good, i used acetone and it stripped it great. opened up the gelcoat so my primer would bond good. for paint i used awlgrips brush on series and i am very pleased w/ the results. if you want to strip the paint on your block, go to walmart and get a paint stripper by the name of Dad's. i tried others but nothing worked as well as this brand. sprayed it on and washed off 30 min later and had a bare block. when you get everything assembled and ready to paint, spray the whole thing down good w/ starting fluid w/ no oils added. it will lift any grease you might have missed in the cracks. then prime w/ etching primer and paint. if you want a custom job, use the house of colors paint. you have to put on a base, then a candy color then a clear. it holds up great. tommy at chief engines uses their paint as well.