Cleaning up the Engine Bay

[DailyDriver]

So after looking at StoneWhitePTs pics from his engine painting, I got the itch do some engine bay mods. Since my painting skills aren't all that great and money talks, I was hoping to start with something more affordable. I was thinking about purchasing some wire loom and cleaning up the engine bay.

Anyone have expierience with this stuff? Good or bad? Where is a good place to order from, etc.... Pics always help too!

[NCPTCruiser]

I noticed your handle is "DailyDriver", if your PT is that, I strongly advise you to stay away from the chrome wire loom as it will flake & just look awful, trust me on this...

Also if you take it to a car detail shop, tell them to keep their steam jet away from the battery blanket...a local place here ruined mine, I'm going to have to replace that sucker too because I hear without it, your battery won't last very long!

[StOnEwHiTePt]

I might do the wire loom myself....

[2_2COOL]

The reg. colored loom holds up OK. I've had some in for years. it gets "crunchy" after awhile...but that's years. DO NOT use a dressing like Armor All in the engine bay, it's flamable! Can't remember the safe ones as I don't use them, I just buff everything with a clean damp microfiber cloth after washing by spraying it down with a degreaser (keeping clear of the engine computer & electrical connectors as much as possible) hose it clean & wipe it down. I have found foam brushes & q tips dipped in isopropyl alcohol make quick work or hard to get to grimy spots.

BTW- I am awful with paint, I am not at ALL patient & I managed to get super results using Duplicolor Mirage paint. If you like the look, it's a real nice kit to deal with. I have used their Effex paint with super results too (my entire lower interior is now navy effex). Just clean, clean , clean then try to be patient while painting (most mistakes I've made have been by rushing things). Painting up some engine peices is VERY do-able for a beginner! Go for it!
Here's my engine last year:

[PTPreacher]

Looking Good Rach....Makes me want to get started on mine.... PTpreacher

[Robinh]

Geesh, that's one gorgeous engine bay...

[DailyDriver]

Will just the plastic (non-chrome) loom hold up with the heat of the engine bay? I am worried that it could get too hot and just melt them all leaving me with an even messier engine bay. Most of the stuff I see on the internet is up to 200 degrees...is that going to work?

[1WEDWUDY]

I had the chrome looms for awhile. Held up ok, but could not buy it in a large quantity like you can the red or yellow so it got to be quite expensive. I've got a bunch of the red and yellow laying around if you want it. Just pay the shipping and I'll send it to ya.

[2_2COOL]

Yeah, the reg. colored stuff holds up fine, eventually getting crunchy (my purple loom was about 4 years old when it got that way). The chrome look looms tend to flake everywhere from what I heard when I considered swapping. I found "kits" on ebay with multiple sizes, also Autozone sells bags of red, blue & yellow at reasonable prices sometimes. But, Frank's offer beates them all!!

[marvin]

If you really want to clean things up find yourself some grain alcohol. Take a swig for yourself, poor a swig in the gas tank, poor a swig over the engine. Everything will be well polished.