Hood Insulation - How to keep clean?

[Mr. Pink]

Well, I broke down and purchased a NOS Hood Insulation Pad and I was curious as how we can keep these clean. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Mr. Pink]

BTW - here's a pic

[Ken Potter]

I personally use a product called Power Clean. It is actually a driveway cleaner. I put it in a Windex bottle / sprayer in about a 50 / 50 mix with warm water. You could probably use any good degreaser though. First wet down your fenders and surrounding cowl area with water. I spray the insulation and let it soak for about 2 or 3 minutes. The real trick is when you rinse use a very light / fine spray and stand back as far as you can. This keeps from shredding the insulation. Keep spraying until it stops foaming / bubbling. WORD OF CAUTION! POWER CLEAN WILL STRIP ANY WAX AND CAN DULL YOUR PAINT JOBS FINISH IF LEFT ON TO LONG. IT IS SOME KILLER STUFF! I always polish and wax afterwards so I have never had any problems. I've done it this way since new and have 103,000 miles on my insulation. It still looks real good.

[svobud]

I don't think I would leave it on there except for shows .. especially the money those things are bringing.

It's going to get dirty .. and it's going to be a PIA to clean. Simple Green works wonders - and doesn't screw up paint - mix it with some water as well for best results.

[Mr. Pink]

Thanks for the replies fellas. Yeah, I was considering just using if for shows, at least until the reproducation ones come out (hopefully).

[GAboySVO]

Maybe you could use some ScotchGuard on it to help repell water and oil. Or there is a teflon treatment that they offer at some dry cleaning store. You might be able to pick some up from a commercial chemical company. It is made by DEP. I saw a silk scarf treated with the DEP stuff in a display and the water that was continuosly running over it just beaded up like rain-x on the windshield.

Either way, I would try it on the old one first to make sure it doesn't react negatively with the NOS hood insulation.

[U S Marine]

I think all hood insulation is a PITA! I remove it from every car I have owned. Not right away, just when it starts dropping dust and dirt onto the engine.

[KevinK]

I would suggest simple green. Mix it 50/50 with water. It will discolor the paint and remove any wax if used full strength. Wet the fenders down fist as well. The original paints used 84-86 were not that durable as todays paints. I found out the hard way with my 85 F150.

[svocudd]

How to keep it clean?

Dont put it on the car except for shows.



Cudd