Thought I would try to clean my engine bay in the Ford before moving onto the Lexus.
I used a mixture of 50/50 Simple green and water applied with a weed sprayer. Le it set for about 5 minutes or more making sure it did not dry. Then I rinsed it off with a water hose, blew it all off with a leaf blower and then let it dry for a couple hours. I then applied a heavy coat of 303 protectrant. I think it came out pretty nice. Definitely going to treat the Lexus the same way. Before and after photos showing how well it looks. Wish I would have been treating the engine bay this way from the beginning.


Before Photo


Before Photo 2008 Ford Taurus with 145k, engine bay never cleaned.


Before


After Cleaning with 50/50 simple green/water set 5 minutes and rinse with clear water hose off, dry with leaf blower and let it set for hour then apply 303 protection and let dry.


After


After

 

Hey Lus,

Great job man, not sure which lexus you plan to do this to however the isf has a lot of wirings and electronic boxes inside the bay, not sure if you want to risk damaging electronics by using a hose, I would reach out for a steam, vacuum, rags, etc before using a water hose. Not that it cant be done, but is it really worth risking it for a clean bay? That can get pricey.

 

I have an LS and an RX that need to be cleaned. I agree with your concern to some extent. I understand that when we drive in the rain, the engine bay gets wet. The electronics, connections, etc., are sealed against that type of water intrusion as they have to operate under those conditions. I don't think they are designed to resist high pressure water or steam applications and you certainly do not want to do any of this with a hot engine bay. The rinse off with water is a gentle stream, not much different than rain. I don't believe that will compromise any electrical installations especially if the engine is cold and the vehicle is left to completely dry out before operating.

I did not think this process up myself, not that smart, but read about it on several detailing forums. Key elements, cold engine bay, no pressurized water applications and let it dry after application of 303.

 

I detail cars for a living and can tell you that as long as you use a hose and just a hose you are fine if you use a pressure washer thats were you will run into problems, also engine bay looks great you did a very good job

 

As long as you use anything with common sense it should work and be fine, but good luck trying to shoot water all over that bay, theres endless open wiring underneath that black box, I replaced one before and it seems like the LS has a similar box. One wrong move and it could cost you a lot of headaches and money, thats too much risk for me and many others to use open water source, there are safer alternatives with same results:

Since you detail for a living you should know risk management, this is a prime example of it.

 

Lol, YES you can use a pressure washer. Just don't get stupid with it and keep it a good distance away and you will have zero issues. Thousands of detailers use a pressure washer just fine. Yes.... if you get it like a foot away from certain areas, you're being stupid and then will run into issues.