Engine Detailing

[mikeg3]

I was at a local meet-up showing off my Volt and I noticed that I had the only car that wasn't spotless under the hood. The owner's manual had no advice, so I'm asking here.

1. I assume that with the Volt powered off there is no high voltage accessible under the hood. Am I correct?
2. What is a good way to clean the dark plastic covers?
3. What is a good way to clean the orange insulation and orange conduit?
4. What is a good way to clean and polish the visible metal components?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[saghost]

I don't have any answers to the last three questions. When the Volt is powered off, the main contactors are opened, leaving the HV battery isolated from everything else. There may be 12V power floating around, but there is no way 360V can be found outside of the battery closure. I'd still be very careful about those heavy orange wires - not because you might get shocked, but lest I did damage to them.

[VoltageDrop]

I have made it a habit since my last couple of new cars to wipe down the engine bay/engine etc......after washing the car.... periodically I would lightly spray detailer on a microfiber when wiping the engine plastic pieces down.....has kept the engine bay on my cars looking quite clean.......

[erewhon]

I used a vacuum cleaner to get debris out of the engine compartment, and then used a slightly damp towel to finish the cleaning, followed by a bit of Armor-all protectant on the plastic surfaces - didn't burn a single hair on my hairy arms!

I showed my Volt at the Dunwoody (GA) Driver's Club, along with a Duesenberg, custom hot-rods, old Porsches, and an amazing variety of other toys for grown-up boys.

[Steverino]

I wipe down the engine bay and underside of the hood (including rubber molding) during my weekly wash. After more than a year, it looks showroom clean. I occasionally vacuum, and occasionally hit the plastic covers with my ArmorAll Interior Detailer (matte).

[Automotive Motivation]

Agree with the responses about the wipedown. That is a great way to keep the appearance from going downhill.

Special emphasis goes along with Steverino's statement about the "underside of the hood (including rubber molding)" which seems to specifically get contaminated with bugs and debris.

[mikeg3]

Thanks, folks.

Your suggestions worked and the under-hood looks great.

[Automotive Motivation]

That's good news! And brings to mind the words of John Hannibal Smith, from the A Team, "I love it when a plan comes together."