I've always wanted to know... What is the the stuff car lots and used car dealers use to clean the engine compartment. It makes it look like new but leaves a thin greasy film over everything. I asked them and they never can answer. It must be some sneaky secret. Any thoughts from you detail guys?

I've detailed cars for 12 + yrs & we've always used an interior dressing kinda like armor all, matter of fact it is armor all just a little thicker, hope this helps

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PETE
ADMINISTRATOR
L.O.S.T. 4 LIFE
04 COLUMBIA ED. & 04 SPORT

After the simple green step - just spray on a mist of armor all? Sounds easy enough to me! Although, I'm waiting until spring time before I clean out my engine bay for the first time in 56K miles.

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02 Liberty Limited
Silver Outside & Taupe Inside
Heated Seats, Sunroof & Infinity speakers
USA Spec I-Pod adaptor, Mopar Sub, Garmin GPS
Tow Package, Select-Trac
Rock Rails, Tow Hooks

Thanks, I'm not planing to put more on it. It's just one of those things that I've always wanted to know. I figured it would be something engine specific. But know I know.

they just use the spray setting NOT the stream

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PETE
ADMINISTRATOR
L.O.S.T. 4 LIFE
04 COLUMBIA ED. & 04 SPORT

I worked at a dealership for a couple summers.

We would use something called Pink cleaner.. It came in 55 gallons drums, and we would dilute it 1:1. We would use that in the fender wells, on the tires, and on the engine to clean and degrease everything..

We would also get tire shine in 5 gallon buckets, and used it in a garden sprayer to spray in the fender wells, and on the tires. We would usually go back over the tires with a rag to keep down tire sling.

Anyway, we would also use that tire shine on the engine.. Let it sit for awhile, then go back over it with a rag so it wasnt to shiny.

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LOST KJ'S
Where are you going???
Current Jeep: 2004 Jeep Liberty
-Atlantic Blue
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Lost #007082
http://www.cardomain.com/id/jeepjeepster

I have a friend that owns a car body repair shop. I have seen him spray WD-40 all over the engine department. Seems to work well.

I know this is an older post, but I'd like to add, that a detailing friend of mine said to try the foaming tire cleaner/shine stuff. I tried the NO TOUCH brand stuff and just lightly sprayed the foam on the engine plastics, let it sit a few, and buffed the excess off. Worked nicely.

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2007 Jeep Liberty Latitude
Midnight Blue

THE best engine cleaner I have seen is Black Magic.. Heat up the engine, spray everywhere.. watch it bubble and takes off oil, dirt, grease, everything.. I had a valve cover gasket give out on me in my car and oil went EVERYWHERE... in TX, it heated up and was a gel almost instantly. 2 cans of Black Magic and its spanking new.... try it, you WILL NOT be let down..