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1996 Nissan 240SX Engine Detail, plus new rotary!
Here are some pictures of my latest engine detail, plus my new rotary!
I purchased this off of eBay. It was such a GOOD deal
It runs great and not only that, it came with the Megs backing plate and 2 wool pads (non Megs). I decided to use it on my headers' heat shield while I was detailing my engine.
Makita 9207 SPC
***BEFORE***
Keep in mind, this engine hasn't been detailed since I purchased it about 3 years back, and I have a feeling the previous owner didn't either (I bought it wrecked
). This looks like 12 years worth of engine crud.
Yes, that is a crack in the bumper. Long story short, hydroplaning is dangerous...
***AFTER***
***PROCESS***
My engine bay, as you can see, has been rather neglected. Since I have cut back on my hours at work and now that I am finally done with summer school (only one more year of undergrad now!) I decided I'd do a thorough detail of the ol' bay.
There was a large amount of twigs, leaves, and other things built up under the black plastic trim where the windshield meets the hood. In order to clean it out, I had to take off my hood (not a chore, seeing the hood weighed next to nothing), take off my wiper blades and remove the plastic trim to be properly cleaned. With those parts off, I cleaned them with #40 and set them aside.
Next I removed my AEM intake and my headers' heat shield. I used a degreaser from a local detail supplier at nearly full strength to clean them off. I then used Master Formula Metal Polish and a terry app pad on the intake and wiped with an MF. As for the heatshield, I wanted to try and use the Makita, seeing that I had yet to use it and the polish I was using was suited for polishers. The results really made me happy. But I must say, the rotary has A LOT MORE power than I thought it would. Wow. Just a note to all those contemplating purchasing one, PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE before using it on anything of any value...
I then used plastic bags to cover the fuse box and dist cap. and proceeded to use the degreaser over the rest of the engine, let it sit for a couple minutes, scrubbed it using some nylon brushes, and hosed it off with the jet setting on my hose attachment. I did this process about 2 or 3 more times. I then removed the plastic bags and carefully cleaned those parts
Once it was all dry and good, I gave it a good spraying using Stoner Trim Shine. I really like using this product because it is an aerosol which gets into every crevice. Furthermore, it gives it a very HIGH gloss shine. Downsides to using it: it is quite oily and when I used it on my body trim, it would overspray onto the paint leaving a nasty smudge mark
. Also, dirt seems to cling to the greasiness.
The most difficult thing was taking out that dang heat shield
The screws were so rusted and hard to reach that I actually had to cut out the last screw on the very bottom. Furthermore, the O2 sensor refused to budge so getting around that was tricky!
I am pretty impressed with the results and learned a few things along the way that I will remember next time. For example, make sure that your plugs are down tight and do not let water get in them. Some water got into one of them and now my cylinder four is misfiring, resulting in poor engine performance. But it is just a matter of me drying it and it will be fine.
I do have a question, however: does megs offer an equivalent to the Stoner Trim Shine? I really do like the aerosol method of application.
Lastly, I do want to thank all ya'll in the Megs online community. In my short time on these boards I have gleaned so much knowledge. Thanks for everything!
I purchased this off of eBay. It was such a GOOD deal
It runs great and not only that, it came with the Megs backing plate and 2 wool pads (non Megs). I decided to use it on my headers' heat shield while I was detailing my engine.Makita 9207 SPC
***BEFORE***
Keep in mind, this engine hasn't been detailed since I purchased it about 3 years back, and I have a feeling the previous owner didn't either (I bought it wrecked
). This looks like 12 years worth of engine crud.Yes, that is a crack in the bumper. Long story short, hydroplaning is dangerous...
***AFTER***
***PROCESS***
My engine bay, as you can see, has been rather neglected. Since I have cut back on my hours at work and now that I am finally done with summer school (only one more year of undergrad now!) I decided I'd do a thorough detail of the ol' bay.
There was a large amount of twigs, leaves, and other things built up under the black plastic trim where the windshield meets the hood. In order to clean it out, I had to take off my hood (not a chore, seeing the hood weighed next to nothing), take off my wiper blades and remove the plastic trim to be properly cleaned. With those parts off, I cleaned them with #40 and set them aside.
Next I removed my AEM intake and my headers' heat shield. I used a degreaser from a local detail supplier at nearly full strength to clean them off. I then used Master Formula Metal Polish and a terry app pad on the intake and wiped with an MF. As for the heatshield, I wanted to try and use the Makita, seeing that I had yet to use it and the polish I was using was suited for polishers. The results really made me happy. But I must say, the rotary has A LOT MORE power than I thought it would. Wow. Just a note to all those contemplating purchasing one, PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE before using it on anything of any value...
I then used plastic bags to cover the fuse box and dist cap. and proceeded to use the degreaser over the rest of the engine, let it sit for a couple minutes, scrubbed it using some nylon brushes, and hosed it off with the jet setting on my hose attachment. I did this process about 2 or 3 more times. I then removed the plastic bags and carefully cleaned those parts
Once it was all dry and good, I gave it a good spraying using Stoner Trim Shine. I really like using this product because it is an aerosol which gets into every crevice. Furthermore, it gives it a very HIGH gloss shine. Downsides to using it: it is quite oily and when I used it on my body trim, it would overspray onto the paint leaving a nasty smudge mark
. Also, dirt seems to cling to the greasiness.The most difficult thing was taking out that dang heat shield
The screws were so rusted and hard to reach that I actually had to cut out the last screw on the very bottom. Furthermore, the O2 sensor refused to budge so getting around that was tricky!I am pretty impressed with the results and learned a few things along the way that I will remember next time. For example, make sure that your plugs are down tight and do not let water get in them. Some water got into one of them and now my cylinder four is misfiring, resulting in poor engine performance. But it is just a matter of me drying it and it will be fine.
I do have a question, however: does megs offer an equivalent to the Stoner Trim Shine? I really do like the aerosol method of application.
Lastly, I do want to thank all ya'll in the Megs online community. In my short time on these boards I have gleaned so much knowledge. Thanks for everything!
on the cleanup..
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