Best Products to Clean and Protect Your Engine Bay — Pro Picks for a Safe Detail
Cleaning your engine bay might seem intimidating — but with the right products and a safe method, it’s easier than you think. Here’s what pros use for great results.
Many car owners are afraid to touch their engine bay. But modern engine bays are designed to handle moisture — and with the right process, you can safely clean and protect yours with confidence.
Here are the best products pros trust — and exactly how to use them.
Watch: Pro Engine Bay Cleaning Demo
See this process in action in my full video below:
Best Engine Bay Cleaning Products
Super Soaper — The Safe Engine Bay Cleaner
Why it works: Super Soaper is a safe, touchless cleaner that removes grease, grime, and road film without harsh degreasers that can damage plastics or cause streaking. It’s my go-to product for engine bay cleaning.
- Safe on modern engine bay materials
- Gentle on painted surfaces and trim
- Leaves no harsh residue
- Versatile — works great in pump sprayers and foam cannons
All Dressed Up — The Best Engine Bay Dressing
Why it works: All Dressed Up is a water-based dressing that gives engine bay plastics, hoses, and rubber a clean, factory-fresh look — with no greasy shine or dust attraction. I dilute it 4:1 for engine bays.
- OEM-style matte finish
- UV protection for plastics and rubber
- Won’t attract dust or get greasy
- Safe for use on all underhood components
Other Helpful Tools
- Foam cannon or pump sprayer — to apply Super Soaper quickly and evenly
- Soft detailing brushes — for light agitation if needed
- Blower or compressed air — to quickly dry the bay and prevent water from pooling
- Microfiber towels — for touch-ups and final wipe-down
Basic Engine Bay Cleaning Process
- Apply Super Soaper via foam cannon or pump sprayer — let it dwell for 2–3 minutes.
- Agitate with brushes where needed.
- Rinse gently — avoid blasting sensitive electronics or connectors.
- Dry thoroughly with a blower.
- Apply All Dressed Up diluted 4:1 to all plastics and rubber — wipe for a clean, uniform finish.
Related Posts
With these products and a simple process, you can clean and protect your engine bay safely — and make it one of the best-looking parts of your car!
