cleanup prep of engine bay

Mshred, I ditto everything everyone has said. It just takes time and patience....a little music in the background helps too. I would add when treating the area under the battery tray, after it is cleaned up, wipe it or brush it with some phosphoric acid to neutralize the rust. Any hardware store carries it in their paint department. Also ,when you paint, aluminum foil works good for masking things under the hood: wiper motor, heater hose inlet-outlets, harnesses,.... And before painting, wipe good, several times with lacquer cleaner, with clean towels, otherwards, you'll get fisheyes in the paint.