It's really not that difficult- it's common sense. Cover your alternator and intake and any open wiring you have and spray away. I'd stay away from the injector area as well.

 

well, since I'm no pro at engine cleaning...I was trying to pick up some nice little tips in how to properly cover area, a little tips from more experience people never hurts right?

 

I don't suggest the degrease crap... if you go to a decent self-serve carwash, their pressure washers are powerful enough to knock off the grittiest nastiest oil-cake.... Did this to a 71 chevy that had a head gasket leak... TWENTY YEARS AGO!!!!! It had been sitting for about 2 years before my buddy got it, went over and blasted it, it looked pretty damn good I must say...

Oil stains, and it's hard to get rid of it all if it's been baked in... If you must, try using a toothbrush and some degreaser (dip the brush in your sample, i wouldn't spray it) and scrub a dub dub... then rinse well...

 

I use a wet rag ..... that's all. Sometimes I'll use spray detailer. Before a meet or show, I use some wet wheel on a rag, trim shine or dash shine gel (Armor-all)

 

I went out and bought an engine degreaser + CD-2. Followed the simple rule of "when in doubt cover it." Cover area and tape down plastic bags -> spray degreaser -> wait -> scrub with tooth brush > broke the tooth brush (no idea how) > rinse > towel dry> air dry >start engine> saw white steam > freaked out > check with a mechanic friend who in turn laughed at me> rinsed more>re-dry> CD-2 everything aside from intake. Viola! Looks very nice, just like the original picture posted on this thread. Thanks you, whoever suggested CD-2! It's awesome!

 

B52 degreaser... I wouldnt spray it on the valve cover though, it is some strong stuff

 

"Mean Green" works seems to work better than the other commercial cleaners I've used. Works great on tires also. Just don't let it sit for a long time

 

the pros use steam cleaing, thats the best and safest, i think my detialer charges 40$ to completely steam clean the bay untill you are satisfied