The first step of automotive maintenance is cleaning. It is one of the most critical procedures done in the machine shop.
And once you have decided to clean the automotive parts, you have to decide many things, including where to start from and what to do after cleaning the parts, as you can leave them just like that. Also, measure and inspect if there are any defects in the parts and do they need any special care. So, with all of these questions, let’s get started and know more about the process.
Importance Of Automotive Parts Cleaning-
Irrespective of the engine parts being included( as vehicles can have different automotive parts), cleaning the automotive parts is always the first step in every job. And why?
Here are the four reasons to clean the parts-
- Regular cleaning increases the lifespan of your vehicle and its parts.
- No need for expensive repair works as the cleaning can prevent much damage from happening in the first place.
- Cleaning uncovers the hairline cracks and other flaws that need to be repaired.
- The clean surface can be painted to add an extra layer of protection to the parts.
- Cleaning is also one of the last steps done after machining the parts. Also, cleaning is necessary to remove the metal chips and lubricants.
- Also, the final cleaning is particularly critical as anything that is not cleaned can end up in the internal engine. The tiny metal chips can go to the internal engine, end up in an oil galley, and jam the bearing further.
Which Five Parts You Should Clean In The First Place-
Let’s now discuss the parts that you should clean in the machine firstly to get effective cleaning from the overall job-
Undercarriage-
The undercarriage is the most underestimated part of the engine. And bet you probably don’t look at it often. It is easy to overlook the cleaning job. Because it’s too close to the ground, and for the same reason, the undercarriage quickly catches dirt and dust. Also, undercarriages are home to most of the wires. Washing the undercarriage becomes even more critical in the case you drive on salted or directed roads, which can cause corrosion and rust.
It can create a ruckus if you do not properly check the undercarriages and could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars in problems. So, clean the undercarriage with a good foam cleaner, and if needed, use the chain and cable lubricant to grease the cables a bit for the processing.
Battery And Its Parts-
Battery terminals can be done before and after the cleaning and of the engine way cleaning. Cleaning it before the engine bay cleaning makes the afterward job easier. However, it’s up to you. You will need to look at the battery terminals as the corrosion can build up in the terminals and impact the terminals, battery performance, and the whole engine performance. So, pay close attention to the battery terminals.
Now, you can start cleaning the battery by disconnecting it. But, disconnecting it without memory can lead to potential issues.
It can damage the resetting drive monitors, disable the navigation system, and even reset the engine control parameters that can cause the engine to run rough after reconnecting. So pick up your owner’s manuals before cleaning and before you visit the battery terminals.
Clean The Engine Bay-
Now time to look underneath your car and go to the engine bay. The engine bay is the home to debris and dirt that finds its way through the inside no matter what.
As your engine emits a lot of heat when functioning, make sure it’s cooled down before you start working on it. Also, as a precaution, plug out the battery cables and cover the sensitive parts like the battery, engine control module, ignition wires, and electrical connectors with electrical tape and plastic bags.
Another thing is to do a quick safety check and clean the air of the engine bay with a vacuum or compressed air.
It will help clean out any loose dirt before shifting your focus to a deeper clean. Depending on the state of your engine bay and if there have been any oil leaks recently, you might need to remove grease from car parts just like the undercarriage. Degreaser can help here.
Now it’s time that you figure out the way to clean metal parts. It’s always a best practice to use the special engine parts cleaner to complete the job. With the help, you can gently scrub with a brush and do a gentle metal and aluminum parts cleaning. Once you have decreased, wipe, scrub and rinse your engine bay and dry it. Also, utilize equipment like an air compressor or leaf blower to help speed up the procedure. Once you complete the cleaning process make sure you remove the temporary covering and leave the hood open. As your engine may contain some essential parts, everything goes well for your engine to work well.
Next Up Is The Air Vents-
The cabin air cleaner works hard to clean the debris, but it does not always catch the dust particles and can stick to the vents. To clean the ducts, you can use an air compressor or old toothbrushes and paint brushes. To clean the air vents properly. Try wrapping a piece of microfiber cloth around a butter knife, or some like to reach between the salt and scoop up all the dirt and debris.
Where Can You Buy The Automotive Part Cleaners?
Till now, you know why it is essential to clean the automotive parts. It increases the lifespan of the vehicle and plus cuts down the expenses that you might otherwise be spending on the repairing.
But cleaning is not just enough. You have to clean with the right products to achieve the desired cleaning results. So, to buy the right products, you can visit the WellWorhtProducts online store. Here, you can buy the cleaning products that can help you to make the job easy and free all the parts from dirt, debris, and oilings.