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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Wash, Wax, Detailing and Cosmetic protection/repairs > Finally Detailed My Engine



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      08-30-2019, 09:33 AM   #1
FlyingBuckeye3
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Finally Detailed My Engine

After reading numerous tutorials on here, I finally decided to try my hand at detailing my engine bay. Sure, it's not perfect but I think it looks significantly better considering it's never been done on my car, nor have I done it to any other car I've owned.

I cleaned it with a degreaser (CG Grime Reaper), hosed it off, wiped it down, and finished it with Jax Wax Shine All. It's a little too shiny for my taste but I'm going to wipe it down and see if that brings down the shine at all.

I appreciate all the write ups others have submitted, wouldn't have done it without them.
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      08-30-2019, 01:55 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FlyingBuckeye3 View Post
After reading numerous tutorials on here, I finally decided to try my hand at detailing my engine bay. Sure, it's not perfect but I think it looks significantly better considering it's never been done on my car, nor have I done it to any other car I've owned.

I cleaned it with a degreaser (CG Grime Reaper), hosed it off, wiped it down, and finished it with Jax Wax Shine All. It's a little too shiny for my taste but I'm going to wipe it down and see if that brings down the shine at all.

I appreciate all the write ups others have submitted, wouldn't have done it without them.
Looks great! I can't even recognize the same car with the 'before' picture.
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      08-30-2019, 04:46 PM   #3
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Looks great! I can't even recognize the same car with the 'before' picture.
Thank you, I appreciate that. I keep looking at it and thinking “what can I do next?” The shine helps hide imperfections though
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      08-30-2019, 11:58 PM   #4
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OMG it looks amazing. Even better than a brand new car. Good job OP!
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      08-31-2019, 08:16 AM   #5
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OMG it looks amazing. Even better than a brand new car. Good job OP!
Thank you! I’ve always detailed the interior and exterior of my vehicles but never the engine bay. My car finally feels completely clean now. Hopefully just wiping the engine bay down after each wash will maintain it so I don’t have to spend the 2 hours cleaning again.
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      08-31-2019, 02:31 PM   #6
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Definitely feels good
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      08-31-2019, 02:49 PM   #7
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Definitely feels good
Nicely done! What products did you use?
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      09-01-2019, 01:33 PM   #8
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Quote:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Soden82 View Post
Definitely feels good
Nicely done! What products did you use?
Nothing too crazy to be honest. Some water, soap, diluted simple green, and some elbow grease.

Could throw a small coat of wax on to shine it up but I'm happy with it so far
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      09-02-2019, 07:08 PM   #9
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Thats a n54
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      09-07-2019, 06:01 PM   #10
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Great job on that dirty engine. I always believed that a cleaned engine runs better. Might be totally in my head but that was an attitude that was taught to me by my father when I started driving 30 years ago and it stuck with me ever since. ALL my cars had clean engines.

Current 330i w/ 116k mi on it.


This is what my 93 Passat Vr6 used to look like with 90k mi on it


My old 87 Mustang with 130k mi


You take care of you car, it will take care of you. A clean engine is a sign that the owner takes care of the car.
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      09-14-2019, 01:13 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Denny347 View Post
Great job on that dirty engine. I always believed that a cleaned engine runs better. Might be totally in my head but that was an attitude that was taught to me by my father when I started driving 30 years ago and it stuck with me ever since. ALL my cars had clean engines.

Current 330i w/ 116k mi on it.


This is what my 93 Passat Vr6 used to look like with 90k mi on it


My old 87 Mustang with 130k mi


You take care of you car, it will take care of you. A clean engine is a sign that the owner takes care of the car.
I would agree that a clean engine runs better, at least it feels like it! I really did it just to help identify if a leak begins but it's so nice to be able to pop the hood and not see all the dirt and grime. Your cars look great, nicely done! My grandpa had a 5.0 fox body but sold it before I got my driver's license. He said I was the reason he sold it haha.
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      09-14-2019, 01:47 PM   #12
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I cleaned my engine 3 times now this summer. After a month it just get so dirty so quickly with all the pollen...

But man is it satisfying to clean it after winter.
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      09-16-2019, 07:57 PM   #13
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here is mine
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      09-23-2019, 01:15 PM   #14
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here is mine
That looks great. Did you finish it with a detail spray? I like how it has more of a matte finish!
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      09-23-2019, 01:41 PM   #15
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i used Carpro Perl with 50/50 mix with distilled water for protection and depth in black plastic pieces.

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      02-11-2020, 02:41 PM   #16
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Looks great folks! I'm now inspired to do both of our vehicles... As soon as it gets above 50 degrees...
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      02-14-2020, 01:36 PM   #17
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How long does it take and how long does it last before filthy again?
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      02-14-2020, 01:38 PM   #18
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How long does it take and how long does it last before filthy again?
Probably a month if no pollen for me.

But I mainly just do it once after winter and I'll do it another time in the middle of summer.
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      02-14-2020, 01:51 PM   #19
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Ok, I will give it a shot. Once I fix the oil pan leak :-)
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      02-22-2020, 01:56 PM   #20
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Any tips on what to cover or avoid getting wet? i watched an n54 engine detail video but was wondering if anything changes for an n55
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      02-22-2020, 07:04 PM   #21
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@bobbby read my mind - I was just going to ask if you taped certain parts off before spraying down, and if so, which ones?
I've been thinking of doing the ChrisFix method (youtube guy, google that name and "engine bay"), but wondering if you all have more E90-specific advice?
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      02-22-2020, 07:44 PM   #22
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Honestly just cover things that are straight forward. Uncovered electrical connections, alternator, intakes if they are cones.
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