673 replies to this topic

[Retro_10s]

for starters, clean your slam panel up with some white spirit and a rag. Wrap your electrics in a bag and scrub the engine.

Mr sheen the plastic parts like the wiper motor cover and the air ducting.

Wipe down the radiator with some white spirit and then Brush some black hammerite onto it. Polish the cap.

Just go around the whole engine bay, anything that needs a clean, wipe your rag over it,.. you'd be suprised how much difference tiny little things like the above will change the appearance of a grubby engine. like clean hoses etc...

Or use photoshop to simulate it before the clean and after...>

Attached Files

•  2007_10_22Engine.jpg   83.78K   89 downloads

Edited by Retro_10s, 25 November 2007 - 03:12 PM.

[minili]

I wouldnt have thought that a dirty engine would make insurance more expensive though? if anything it would make it cheaper because you havent spent loads in making it look nice......id give em the pic as it is.......bar the horn perhaps?

James

I'm not trying to reduce the premium, I'm trying to convince them my Mini is worth £1,800!

And Retro, thanks for the tips (except the Photoshop one, naughty! ) I am gonna have to give it a go, probably have to wait til next weekend now so I can see what I'm doing Grr to long nights!

[jim295]

i'm free tomorrow.. i'm sure with a haynes and some gunk could make it look fairly reputable... im sure sam and josh would love to come help too .. obv it would have to be after work... but the offers there if need be....

also i sprayed my arches when it was foggy and the finish is fine... just as long as you have somewhere bright to store them... (i sprayed mine with rattle cans)

nice pics

[samwell]

can you stop volunteering me for things i don't want to do

I'll help you clean your engine bay up. Justdo what retro says, works brill. I would also tear out that crappy bulkhead sponge and hammerite the bulkhead. Looks much better that way. I've also got a can of 'gunk' that cleans of engine oil and dirt for the block/head without painting.

[minili]

I've got tomorrow off work but nobody else has lol so I'll be struggling with it I suspect

Might just sleep all day instead

[minili]

Ruddy rain >

They said it would be dry today > In fact according to the BBC it's not raining now!

Oh well... sleep it is then

[samwell]

lazy cow, get on with it. use ur shelter!!

[minili]

...Says the boy who has left a Mini rotting on his drive for about 6 months

[sazal]

Hes a cutiepie!! And WOWWIE!! I love that brown interior! Its awesome!! Wish mine was brown...its just grey

[mike.]

Use the guide i wrote on how engine bay detailing! Give yourself a weekend to do it and it'll be truely transformed

Link in sig!

[GreaseMonkey]

...Says the boy who has left a Mini rotting on his drive for about 6 months

Lmao

[minili]

Use the guide i wrote on how engine bay detailing! Give yourself a weekend to do it and it'll be truely transformed

I already have it saved in Word & printed out! I went to Halfords today to get paint, wire brush, gunk (or similar) but they only had massive wire brushes, red or black engine paint (I want yellow), and I didn't even look for the gunk, I was too depressed already lol

Also while the weather is pap I can't really get on with anything

[Bean]

gunk is brilliant stuff!!

looking forward to seeing minty's spruced-up engine bay!

[mike.]

Use the guide i wrote on how engine bay detailing! Give yourself a weekend to do it and it'll be truely transformed

I already have it saved in Word & printed out! I went to Halfords today to get paint, wire brush, gunk (or similar) but they only had massive wire brushes, red or black engine paint (I want yellow), and I didn't even look for the gunk, I was too depressed already lol

Also while the weather is pap I can't really get on with anything

The small spark plug brushes are on the parts section with the sparkplug wrenches, and the gunk is on the cleaning isle. Good luck with it when you get round to it - let me know how you get on

[minili]

An update! ... of sorts

Look what arrived today







Now I was going to cover it with vinyl... but the finish on it is really very good as it is, and my dad suggested I paint it instead. As it will be much quicker, easier, cheaper, etc etc etc lol and will probably look better because I'm less likely to stuff it up Thanks dad!

What do we think? It's going to be cream either way... More effort & money for vinyl and make it match the seats, or go the easy route, paint it and shiny it up, which could possibly look just as good if not better... Also then brush, spray or roller?

?