[cobrajeff]

I'll second the Simple Green - great stuff - I use it for all kinds of underhood or undercarriage detailing.

No water hose EVER gets near my car. A small bucket and sponge (change water frequently, a soft sponge for the body, a separate one with a "scrubby" surface on one side for engine compartment/undercarriage).

A little bit of "Goop" hand cleaner rubbed on dirty/greasy hoses and undercarriage bits does wonders, too (also great for cleaning up wire harnesses and exposed wiring).

Jeff