On some of my older cars i would use the engine cleaner to keep the engine and surrounding bay area clean. The thick foam spray stuff that comes out green and sits for a minute or so to clean the road gunk off... then washes clean. Haven't done that on my S2k but it could use a light clean up. Any cons to doing this process on a S2000? I know some cars do not like getting the engine cleaner sprayed on them.

 

Use an aluminum-friendly cleaner that won't harm paint, plastic, or rubber. I use simple green as directed (don't let it sit too long). I also use a pressure washer.

Don't concentrate the spray on electronics and sensors.

 

↑↑ Good points! I would temporarily cover electric contacts with masking tape. To help keep water from fouling these connections.

 

Dawn dish soap (cut with water) seems to work well also.

 

Simple Green is prohibited in the Army and Air Force to clean anything containing aluminum. Destroys the metal. I'll not use it on anything of value

-- Chuck

 

According to simple green's website, it has been successfully used to clean airplanes for a long time....when used as directed and "with common sense". I have never had it stain any aluminum.

http://simplegreen.com/faqs/


There are quite a few "aluminum safe" alternstives out there as well.

 

Yeah, diluted Simple Green works fine. However, I only use it for heavily soiled bays. I prefer Amazing Roll Off on dusty engine bays, light hose off, then a coating of 303 Aerospace everywhere possible. I don't cover anything on my S2000 or other distributor-less vehicles.

If you need a quick cleanup, tire foam spray works great.

 

BS. We cleaned a GPW CR engine bay this weekend with straight 100% uncut Simple Green. We didn't leave it sit though, we scrubbed and wiped it continually and rinsed it often. After the engine bay was clean and dried we coated it with Silkolene Pro-Prep 2. NO ISSUES.

We did a second S2000 engine bay the same day, same products.




I did another engine bay days before, there was some oxidation on the alternator, the belt tensioner, and the engine block. The Silkolene Pro-Prep didn't remove the existing oxidation but it was no longer noticeable.

That shit is amazing.

 

BS? What part is BS?

It is well known in military and general aviation circles that Simple Green is highly corrosive to aluminum and it's use is prohibited by the Army in aircraft. Not sure what structural parts on our cars are aluminum but Simple Green contributes to hydrogen embrittlement of high strength aluminum parts.

If you want to use it that's fine with me. I ain't using it on anything remotely aluminum despite how well it cleans.

-- Chuck

 

Thanks for the link.

The Aluminum and Aircraft bullets points are of great interest.

Lots of common sense goes a long way.