The best degreaser for cleaning engines and bodywork

Your car will thank you for cleaning it with a degreaser.

best degreaser for cleaning engines and bodywork

by Ryan Gilmore |
Updated on

If you've ever cleaned a slightly neglected oven tray, you'll quickly learn how much of a pain in the neck grease can be to clean, especially if you're using water.

The same is true for your car's engine bays. They get incredibly dirty over time, with muck and road grime being constantly thrown into the engine bay while deposits of oil and grease build up too. And while most other surfaces can simply be blasted with a pressure washer, it's not a good idea to fire 100 bar directly at your alternator or distributor.

This is why a good degreaser makes so much sense. Simply spray it onto your engine, agitate it with a brush for a few minutes and wash off with some water (be careful with that mind). We've researched and found the best examples currently for sale and some useful information so your engine bay can sparkle.

The best degreaser

Best degreaser and APC

Bilt Hamber Surfex HD Cleaner
Price: £24.97

Description

A combination of degreaser and all-purpose cleaner (APC), Bilt Hamber Surfex-HD Cleaner is our

Best degreaser and detergent

Autoglym Engine & Machine Cleaner
Price: £10.91
Alternative retailers
Halfords£11.50View offer

Description

An effective spray-on engine cleaner, Autoglym's water-based Engine And Machine Cleaner is a

Best degreaser for really mucky surfaces

STP GST73500ENP Engine Degreaser Professional Series 500 ml

Rrp: £7.40

Price: £7.40

Description

The big guns of degreasing, this heavy-duty engine degreaser from STP will penetrate and dissolve

Best bulk degreaser

Granville Gunk 734 5L Degreaser
Price: £26.99

Description

Offering a more than generous five litres of degreaser, this Granville Gunk solvent-based

Best degreaser for small areas

WD-40 Specialist Fast Acting Degreaser

Rrp: £10.86

Price: £7.94

Description

This solvent-based degreaser comes with WD-40's excellent 'Smart Straw', which makes it a great

Best degreaser for general use

Meguiar's G180224EU Heavy Duty Multi-Purpose Cleaner
Price: £17.59

Description

Not as powerful as the other options here, this degreaser from Meguiar's can be used on more

You'll probably want some brushes for your engine bay too:

Laser 5271 Mechanics Brush Set 5pc
Price: £11.99

Draper 52307 230 mm Nylon Fill Brush

Rrp: £4.20

Price: £4.20

What you need to know about degreasers:

A mechanic degreases an engine part.
©Photo: Getty Images

How does degreaser work?

Dust out the GCSE chemistry books - degreasers have everything to do with hydrophobics. Old and grease are hydrophobic, and as such, degreasers make use of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecular chains that dislodge the oil.

Why should I care about a mucky engine bay?

Not only will it look a lot nicer if your engine bay is looking clean, but it can also help you spot any issues that may be developing quicker. A split in your exhaust manifold or perished rubber, for example, will be a lot easier to spot and catch if your engine bay is clean.

Not to mention that when it comes to sale time, a clean engine will undoubtedly net you a few extra quid.

What should I look for in a good degreaser?

The most important consideration to make with degreaser depends on where you plan on using it. If you're wanting to clean your engine bay, look for a water-based option if possible. Solvent-based degreasers can break down rubber and vinyl, which could potentially spell disaster for your engine.

Water-based degreasers are also better for the environment. Several of the degreasers we've selected are biodegradable too, a far cry from the kerosene-based degreasers of old.

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