Washing your engine -- how to avoid short circuiting the battery?

[Grant Eaton]

OK, it might seem like a silly question, but I've never washed an engine. I know of us do that, and I was just wondering what everyone else does to keep from short-circuiting the battery. One would think that if spray got a liquid path between the two battery terminals, that a full short-circuit would occur and result in some unpleasant experience for vehicle and owner. Or maybe I don't understand how batteries work when they get wet. In any case, I can't imagine how it would be possible for a normal person to avoid getting the battery wet unless they wrapped it in a trash bag.