Car Detailing
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 15,187
Likes: 3
From: Suburbs of Chicago Illinois
Car Detailing
Ihave always used Armor All to dress the engine after detailing, but it causes the dust and dirt to cling to the engine after about a weeks.
Does anyone know of a good, commercial type of engine dressing? I have talked to a couple local detail shops, but they are hesitant on telling me what they use. I hear "We just order it out of a magazine" or "We make it ourself"
Does anyone know of a good, commercial type of engine dressing? I have talked to a couple local detail shops, but they are hesitant on telling me what they use. I hear "We just order it out of a magazine" or "We make it ourself"
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,363
Likes: 1
From: Virginia Beach VA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I always clean the engine bay and use Armor All Ultra Shine on my engine, but it is also my daily driver so ehhhh, its gonna get dirty. I just make sure she is extra shiny for show days. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 1
From: Nashville TN
At my detail shop we pressure wash our engines with hot water and a degreaser, then spray a white non silicone dressing (F21 Turtle wax or similar) on the engine while its still wet. We dry the engine and rub the white dressing onto the parts at the same time. It doesnt come out greasy and doesnt attract dust but still gives a very clean factory look. A lot of dealers and wholesalers ask how we do it but I wont tell them either.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 15,187
Likes: 3
From: Suburbs of Chicago Illinois
At my detail shop we pressure wash our engines with hot water and a degreaser, then spray a white non silicone dressing (F21 Turtle wax or similar) on the engine while its still wet. We dry the engine and rub the white dressing onto the parts at the same time. It doesnt come out greasy and doesnt attract dust but still gives a very clean factory look. A lot of dealers and wholesalers ask how we do it but I wont tell them either.
The local car wash has an awesome detail shop. I watch them, and they just soak the engine bay with some dressing and leave it. I think it might just be armor all in there. They say "It's just in a catalog we order from"
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh NC
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 14,522
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From: Washington County, South UTAH
In the old days(1980's) we sometimes sprayed the engine compartment and it's contents with..................
clear areosol Lacquer paint.
It was very shiny and dried completly.
clear areosol Lacquer paint.
It was very shiny and dried completly.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 35,444
Likes: 0
Kansas City Area Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11,'13
Yes, thanks, that’s a big help there
Nothing wrong with taking care of even your daily drivers.
Some people care enough about their possessions to take care of them.
Here is what I use on all painted and rubber surfaces:
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
From: Colebrook Connecticut
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Anything that works on your tires will work on your engine hoses. Oil based ones will gather dust much worse than water based ones. Check Automagic or Chemical Guys for water based dressings. I use Z16, not only is it water based but has an added polymer so it's durable and dust resistant.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 269
Likes: 1
From: Anniston BAMA
Just tried it on my DD, an old caddy seville. Engine compartment was average I'd say. Now it SHINES!. I was conservative and did not spray any electrical components or fan belts.
Any input on how it would affect those systems. I wouldn't want to short anything out or make the belts slippery.
Great tip, great tip. Big time saver and looks good to boot!
2 thumbs up.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 35,444
Likes: 0
Kansas City Area Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11,'13
THIS STUFF WORKS REALLY WELL!!!!!
Just tried it on my DD, an old caddy seville. Engine compartment was average I'd say. Now it SHINES!. I was conservative and did not spray any electrical components or fan belts.
Any input on how it would affect those systems. I wouldn't want to short anything out or make the belts slippery.
Great tip, great tip. Big time saver and looks good to boot! 2 thumbs up.
Just tried it on my DD, an old caddy seville. Engine compartment was average I'd say. Now it SHINES!. I was conservative and did not spray any electrical components or fan belts.
Any input on how it would affect those systems. I wouldn't want to short anything out or make the belts slippery.
Great tip, great tip. Big time saver and looks good to boot!
2 thumbs up.IF you have a serpentine belt it will be fine, but a older V-belt may slip for awhile.
Does fine around electrical components.
Dont let everyone know about this, its how I win 1st place and 100 point trophies with a daily driver
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,251
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From: Phoenix Arizona
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,909
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From: Ponte Vedra Beach / London State: Dazed and confused