Professional engine clean?

[unknown_786]

Hi there....just bought a new car...previous owner obviously hadnt even opened up the bonnet...full of dust, debris etc...want to get it professionally cleaned...heard loadsa diff stories about using power jet sprays or waxes etc etc...but want to get it cleaned properly the first time and then after that I can maintain it myself...Does anyone know anywhere in London (preferably SW London) to get this done cheaply?

[unknown_786]

Bump............

[Throbbe]

How cheap is cheap? Try a google for car valeting/detailing in your area, or are you looking for cheaper.

I've done my own using a product called Virosol. It's a general purpose commercial cleaner, which I usually dilute about 3:1 as a good degreaser, or neat on troublesome areas. Comes in a 5 litre container, and makes a good oven cleaner at about 5:1 dilution, or general surface cleaner at around 20:1.

Spray it over the engine bay using a plant mister, work it in with a brush, leave for 5 minutes and then hose off. You may need to repeat a few times on tricky areas. Much cheaper than 'proper' automotive degreasers.

A few warnings:
It's powerful stuff, so wear gloves
Avoid breathing the vapour
Be careful using it neat, as it can discolour bare aluminium, and may harm rubber if left for a while
Be wary of blasting water into electrical components (or cover them with a sandwich bag)
Virosol WILL strip wax at high concentrations, so best to give the car a polish once you've finished.

Hope that helps.

[like-saving-money]

Hi there....just bought a new car...previous owner obviously hadnt even opened up the bonnet...full of dust, debris etc...want to get it professionally cleaned...heard loadsa diff stories about using power jet sprays or waxes etc etc...but want to get it cleaned properly the first time and then after that I can maintain it myself...Does anyone know anywhere in London (preferably SW London) to get this done cheaply?


be carefull when cleaning engine bays as if you put water in the wrong place it can cost you a lot of money to fix as for finding a valeter in your area have a look here http://www.stevescleenz.co.uk/valet_directory.htm if there is nobody near you contact me and i will be able to find someone for you in that area as i am moderator on a valeters forum