When your vehicle comes off the assembly line, it has that brand-new gleam. But as time goes by, that gleam begins to fade. Have no fear. There are ways that you can help restore your vehicle’s sheen. Cleaning the engine and the tires are two good places to start.

You look under your hood and cringe at the dirty engine. You would like to clean it, but there is nothing you can do, or is there? With some engine degreaser, baggies, rubberbands, water and a leaf blower, you can clean your engine.

Start by running your engine for a short time, so that is warm to the touch but not hot. While the engine is cooling down, cover all the electrical connections, including the distributor, spark plug openings, air intake and filter and oil dipstick and breather. To prevent the degreaser and water from getting in them, cover the power steering, oil filter, windshield washer fluid and battery filler caps and any other engine openings with baggies and rubberbands. After everything has been secured in plastic, spray the hood, fenders and grill with water. That way, if any of the degreaser gets on them, it will be diluted and will not harm the paint.

Starting from the bottom up and being careful not to overspray, apply the degreaser to the surface of the engine. Experts recommend citrus-based products which do not leave chalky deposits on the plastic. Let the degreaser sit for three to five minutes and then use a soft cloth or brush on the more heavily soiled areas. Using a garden hose on low pressure, downwardly spray the engine from at least five feet away. Be sure to wash any stray degreaser from the surrounding areas, like the windshield and hood. Remove the plastic bags and dry any puddles. Start the engine to evaporate any leftover water or use a leaf blower to blow-dry the engine.

After everything is cool and dry, apply a coat of rubber protectant to the hose, gaskets and shields. Wax any painted areas of the engine compartment, but not the engine itself. Use a mild polish on any uncoated aluminum areas that are dull or have some corrosion. Check for corrosion on the battery terminals and clean the battery posts and cable terminals with a wire brush. Using a non-silicone lubricant, apply a thin coating to the throttle and cruise control cables, hinges and hood shocks. Double-check that you have removed all the baggies and you are done.

You rotate your wheels on a regular basis and wash them whenever you wash your vehicle. While this is all well and good, there are other things you can do to maintain your wheels.

Brake dust can wreak havoc on your wheels. When cleaning them, use a car wash/water solution. If this does not work, try a good wheel cleaner. The cleaning product you use will depend on what kind of wheels you have, clear-coated or not. To find out if your wheels are clear-coated, check with the manufacturer or a reputable body shop or apply a small amount of mag and aluminum cleaner on a cloth and rub it onto a small section of one of your wheels. If there is black on the cloth, the wheels are not clear-coated and you should use an appropriate cleaning product. If they are clear-coated, you can use a general-purpose cleaner. For chrome and aluminum wheels, you may use a more aggressive spray cleaner. Make sure you are close enough to the wheels so that the spray doesn’t get on any other surface and use brushes with wooden or plastic handles to prevent scratches. Immediately rinse the wheels to prevent the cleaner from drying.

Use carnauba wax on dry clear-coat wheels to prevent the buildup of brake dust and any other contaminants. Polish chrome, magnesium or aluminum wheels after the initial cleaning to prevent contamination and the finish from getting scratched. After everything is done, apply a tire protectant and preservative.

Dirt is not a good thing. It takes a toll on your vehicle’s sheen and makes it look old and dull. With a little effort and some elbow grease, you can make your vehicle gleam again.