Concrete Pavers: Ideas, Inspiration and Information

How to clean different materials underneath the hood of your car

23 May 2016 by Benjamin Rice

When cleaning the items under the hood of your car, great care has to be taken. Using the wrong products or getting water on items onto the wrong items can be devastating for the functionality of your car. Using the wrong type of cleaning solution can make your entire engine malfunction, meaning you'll need to spend a lot of money on extensive repairs. However, you do need to clean the items inside your car hood to keep them functional, and in order to do so, there are a lot of things you need to consider. 

Steel

The engine in your car is most likely made out of steel. To clean steel, you need to be careful, as it can be sensitive for rust and corrosion. You need to use soft cloths and sponges to clean your engine. Rougher materials can scratch your engine as you're rubbing it, and that can invite moisture and bacteria to get underneath the galvanisation of the steel in your engine, and therefore cause it to rust. You should also be careful with using too abrasive cleaning supplies, as these can injure the steel and cause irrevocable damage. Use specialised cleaners for steel, or opt for a gentle solution of dish soap and water.

Aluminium

Another material that is common to find underneath the hood of your car is aluminium. This material is unlikely to be affected by rust or corrosion, but if it's not cared for properly, it can form oxidation on its surface and thus become much more difficult to handle. Oxidation also decreases the functionality of the aluminium parts. To clean aluminium, you need to use a minimum of cleaning products, as abrasive products can damage the aluminium and thereby cause it to create oxide. Use warm water to clean the aluminium parts underneath the hood of your car, and make sure to wipe t off with a dry cloth afterwards to avoid moisture gathering on the aluminium.

TPV santoprene

Another common material underneath the hood of your car is products made out from TPV santoprene extrusions. TPV & TPE are made to make smaller parts in your car such as fittings. The most effective way of cleaning these parts are by using a dry cloth and detergent. Water can cause the TPV products to dry out and crack, meaning it will decrease the functionality of the engine. Remember to wipe the detergent off with a clean, dry cloth afterwards, to prevent build up of detergent afterwards. 

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