Air. Every car wash I just go over the engine bay with a compressor air gun and a soft bristled brush to get the dirt loose. To make the plastics pretty, I've used VRT or Adam's In & Out Spray. Armor All gets really greasy and will attract dirt to the surface you put it on. After a few hundred miles, you'll see the dirt start to cake on some surfaces.

My engine bay just naturally stays remarkably clean. I have the bay blown out with compressed air every 2-3 months and maybe a quick dusting of the visible parts.

But, after 22k miles, it's about time to give everything a good going over. That 303 stuff sounds like just what I want (plus it got a thumbs-up from Junkman2008).

It only takes a very light misting of that stuff to make the engine look new. If you have to wipe it down, you've used too much.

I'm going to get my anti-freeze, brake fluid, and tranny fluid flushed on Friday. This weekend is supposed to be halfway warm so I'll probably give the engine compartment a good wipe down then to get rid of any splashes from the flushes. I'll give the 303 a whirl.

Let me know how you like it. :tiphat:

+1 on routine maintenance being the key. If you stay up on it every other wash or so, then there should be no need for heavy cleaning or conditioning.

A little Super VRT on the hoses and plastics that are easily accessible, and some In & Out spray for the hard to reach spots, and you'll be good to go!