Now that I got the paint clean--I need to clean the undercarriage and wheel wells and engine compartment--going to borrow a pressure cleaner this weekend--any tips or write ups on this?--did the search bit but got nothing--any landmines I'm about to step on?

 

A real high-pressure washer will strip the frame coating right off of the frame rails. Also if it's an industrial one, upwards of 3000 psi, you could potentially cut wires/hoses. But that high pressure is amazing for degreasing the underbody and exposed metal. If you really want a clean look on the exposed frame rails though, I've found pressure washing to strip the coating, then get the stubborn parts off with an SOS/Brillo pad, then buy the spray rubberized underbody coating at autozone and redo the frame rails nice and thick. Makes it look new!

 

Just watch out for any bare wires and if you do your engine bay ( if you have a cold air intake ) cover your intake, otherwise just bare wires is what I can think of!!

 

best way to clean an engine is with steam..
not recommended toPRESSURE wash your engine, can mess up electrical and gaskets.

 

How does one get said steam to clean the engine?

 

with a steamer, most car lots clean engines using steam thats how they get it looking new.

 

That is also the way buy here pay here places get there's looking new as well to hide any known buildup issues that give away soon to come problems!!

 

There was a write up on cleaning the engine bay a while back. i don't remember which section it was in, but use the search function and you should be able to find it. Something about using simple green or something and just let the engine do the work. check it out.

 

what ever you do to clean the eng comp stay away from the air flow sensor with H2O .... I`ve been there with a past car i had...