What to use for cleaning engine?

[evo77]

I understand the differences between Super Degreaser and Safe D-Greaser but which one is the preferred product? Does it depend on how dirty the engine compartment is or will both do the same job? Also what kind of dilution is everyone using? I read a post where someone mentioned using a foaming bottle sprayer. Does this work better? Where can I get one?

As far as brushes to agitate and clean the dirt, can anyone post some different types/sizes/brands that not only cover wide open areas but can get in nooks and crannies as well?

[F-150]

Safe- D Greaser is what I use and I have Super Degreaser too but couldn't find a job that Safe D Greaser couldn't tackle. Check this out, my engine was very dirty and Safe D Greaser worked fine: http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/sho...0&pagenumber=2

I haven't tried different dilution ratios yet but I dilute in between 4:1 and 10:1 on the bottle, so I fill it up w/ water in between the 4:1 and 10:1 marks and then fill up the rest with the product up to the the line on the bottle. It says 4:1 for heavy duty and 10:1 for medium.

As for sprayers, get both. I like both because the foaming sprayer makes the product more visible (works much like the hot rims sprayers but doesn't spread out the foam) and shoots out the product in straight lines. The regular chemical resistant sprayer, can mist the product covering a wider area. And it's harder to see the product but after agitating it with a brush for instance you'll see it. And I would say the foaming spray clings better to vertical surfaces but the foam mostly slides down. You can get either from the meguiars online store or autodetailingsolutions.

And for brushes/tools: you can use an old wash mitt, I liked using the versa angle body brush. But for the hard to reach areas, I used soft bristle tooth brushes, (ones that had spread out bristles)
again, check out the link, and scroll down, it'll show you what I used.

[evo77]

Thanks! I was thinking for the cracks and crevices that something like this would do a great job.

EZ Detail Brush

[F-150]

I have not tried a tool like that, I'm sure that'll work very well, just be concerned about scratching, if those bristles are soft and clear coat safe, you should be fine but use your judgement if it feels like it'll scratch/scuff/mar the insides of the fenders and under the hood or metal parts for that matter.
But that's a good idea, if those bristles are super soft and flexible, you could just go in n out in between wires, make it a lot easier than to get ever little thing with a toothbrush. I must say that the versa angle body brush took alot of work out of it though, definately recommend you get it, works well on the wheel wells too.

[sneek]

Originally posted by evo77
Thanks! I was thinking for the cracks and crevices that something like this would do a great job.

EZ Detail Brush

meguiars makes a brush like that
Safety Tip Wheel Spoke Brush

[05PhillyStang]

Originally posted by F-150

I haven't tried different dilution ratios yet but I dilute in between 4:1 and 10:1 on the bottle, so I fill it up w/ water in between the 4:1 and 10:1 marks and then fill up the rest with the product up to the the line on the bottle. It says 4:1 for heavy duty and 10:1 for medium.

Wouldn't 4:1 be 4 parts water to one part product? The way you described it, it seems like 1:4 (one part water to 4 parts product). Am I misunderstanding?

[F-150]

Yes, 4:1 would be 4 parts water and 1 part product. Sorry if I'm confusing.

[05PhillyStang]

Originally posted by F-150
Yes, 4:1 would be 4 parts water and 1 part product. Sorry if I'm confusing.

I just wanted to make sure I was diluting properly. In an earlier post, you mentioned filling with water in between the 4:1 line and 10:1 line and then filling the rest of the bottle with product.

When I read that, I thought that I may have been way over-diluting my products since I was doing the opposite