Best way to clean and paint engine

I've got the ABF out of the donor car and started to strip the ancillaries off, but what is the best way to clean the engine and prepare it for paint?

I have some high temp gloss black aerosol paint, but how should i clean the engine?  I have a pressure washer and some Autoglym engine/machine cleaner but is this going to be man enough for the job?  

What about electrical connections still attached to the engine, should these be wrapped in electrical tape to stop water ingress?

Try GUNK.. It's a de-greaser come cleaney-type deal that works really well CLICKY

It's simple to use too, simply apply it with a brush liberally, wait until it goes sort of soapy, then hose it off 8) although make sure you do it somewhere where you can clean/hose down the floor afterwards

i usually use gunk then swill it off and degrease the cleaned engine with petrol .. maybe not to be recommended but thats what i used, cover all holes in the engine, as for electrical connections if you mean all the little temp sensors they will be ok just leave them in to save having to blank of more holes

Matt

You can use a variety of wire brush wheels in an electric drill. That will neither get at all the cack off though certainly not in the fin area nor will any kind of stripping position.