The engine is out of my car and i decided it would be a good time to wash it down and make it look nice and new. I sprayed it with simple green, full strength and let it sit for a few minutes like instructions said. Washed off with the hose and it looked brand new for like five minutes until it dried and then it looks just, if not worse than it did before. All the dull green paint looks faded and white, kinda like a car does after you drive it through the snow/slush/salt. When i try to wipe it off it looks good until it dries and then back to this nastyness. I thought simple green would get rid of this but what else can i do? Is the paint like permently stained or something?

 

I know what your talking about. Since the paint in the engine bay isn't clear coated, ( me thinks ) maybe you could try using a mild abrasive to clean the paint ( heavy rubbing compound perhaps) This might remove the buildup of grime that has coated the paint over the years. After you get it all removed I would put a few coats of a good wax on to protect it.

 

I can try that and see what happens. I even have some 2000 grit sand paper i can try. The paint is so thin though it worries me. It is already all dinged up and i just got a quote of 300 to 400 to get it painted

 

I would stay away from sand paper. maybe you could try one of those scotch-bright sponges with the abrasive backs. could just go for broke and give it the ole' krylon touch!

 

Be careful, I started cleaning mine with simple green full strenght
and when I started to clean it off the paint is so thing it started
coming off, you could see it on the rag. I'm going to have to touch
up those areas. I think I'll dilute the simple green and may be use
a spry bottle to rinse it. The motor's not out like yours so I don't want to use the hose and get that opticrap wet. I'm going to get some duplicolor spray touch up and see if I can blend those spots in. Couldn't look as bad as the primer showing. Would have been nice if they had clear coated in there.

 

I can't believe how crappy the paint is they use on there. I took off some stickers and the some paint came off with it. I also sanded some rusty spots so now i am going to have to paint it. Duplicor would work but i would like to stick with green but i don't think it would match so maybe black?

 

I use CD2. The set comes with 2 cans. One is for cleaning/degreasing and the other is for detailing. This stuff works wonders. I always get compliments on how clean my engine bay is. You should at least give it a try!

Here is a pic. A lot has changed since this pic, but this is how it stays.

http://www.jackz28.com/myz/dsc00307.jpg

 

I will have to go try and find some of that stuff today. Your engine bay looks pretty clean!

 

Mine

Hope it works

 

It looks clean, but that is a really dark picture.