Rob Edwards

Anthony-

Thanks 1x10^6 for taking the time to post the tech, I really appreciate it! Can't wait for my steamer to arrive!

SharkSkin

Anthony, thanks for the response. I will try a degreaser like you mention to see if it gets the last of the stuff off, for example the remaining residue on my ignition box, post #71.

Also, what did you use to make the plastic look like new in that 996 engine bay? I'm guessing that you treated it with something oily after cleaning -- WD40?

piccardo

thanks anthony. you are very kind.

Anthony Orosco

Hello and you're all very welcome for the post.....although I do apologize for the typos.....sheesh (another New Year resolution )

I use a water-based dressing for my wheel wells and engine bays. The two I use most often are:

1) Optimum Portectant Plus - I like this because it has a decent wear time for exterior trim. It's designed for interior but works well also for exterior.

2) Top Of The Line's "Best Dressed". This is a super thick, highly concentrated dressing that leaves a nice gloss behind and is very economical. A gallon lasts me about a year which is why I use it for most of my Porsche dealer cars.

Both dressings work great but you may also opt for 303, Armor All and I believe Lexol makes a water-based vinyl dressing. I have also used Plexus on engine bay areas with nice results.

Happy Detailing,
Anthony

SharkSkin

I avoid Armor-All products like the plague... Under what circumstances would you choose one of the two dressings that you mentioned over the other? Does #1 outlast #2 in engine bays as well? Do either of them make subsequent cleanup(e.g. the next clean/detail job) easier?

IcemanG17

Ron
The stuff I use on the engine is just a dressing....

http://www.adamspolishes.com/site/pr...79DAAF2B64258C

its not a cleaner......I use old fashioned simple green and wet rags to clean my engine....since I'm afraid to spray it with a hose......

I wish I had a steamer like Anthonys.....it I did I would really be a freak (more than I am now anyway:>)...I would steam EVERYTHING....so its on my "detail needs" list right behind a high speed buffer! I might have to "borrow" Daves one day to test it!

Ron_H

The nozzles in Anthony's post appear to be just like the ones on my steamer. It is too small to be very effective at cleaning the engine. I used it on some of Dave's stuff when he was doing his motor mounts / steering rack / pan gasket change but we concluded that a larger more effective steamer was in order. I still use it on carpets and other things but think I need a bigger model.

Yes, Brian, we should all go over and bless Dave with our presence one day and volunteer to test his steamer on our gunked up machines......just so we know if it works for us. And to show our congeniality and good neighborliness.

F451

Why do you avoid Armor All?

Ron_H

Armor all has substances in it that dry and crack the material over time. So long as you keep using it, your dash will appear shiny. Personally, I don't care for that shiny, oily appearance and the dust that is attracted to it. Something like drinking alcohol to kill cold "germs" and weaken your immune system so you will think you need to keep using alcohol to keep yourself germ free. I would toss Armorall where it belongs: in the trash. But that's just me.

F451

Thanks for the info. I think I'll do a search on treatments to see what people are using.

SharkSkin

Ed, Ron's right about long-term effects of Armor-All. I heard years ago that the stuff was just soap. This is in reference to the white liquid that they sold years ago. I don't know anything about their current line of products, but I am so pissed that they marketed soap as a preservative(which, as Ron says, is actually damaging) that I will never give them another dime. I have turned down free Armor-All as well.

I'm very happy with the results I get from Leatherique Rejuvenator Oil & Prestine Clean. Cleans and makes stuff look new without leaving that glossy jizz film on everything.

Ron, Brian, you guys will have to arm-wrestle for it.

Anthony Orosco

Actually Armor All has been reformulated and is now water-based and is pretty good stuff. I personally don't use it because it's not cost effective and I don't care for that glazed donut look.

In my choice of dressings....I go with Optimum Protectant Plus for engine bays and trim and I use the Best Dressed for wheel wells.

NOTE -

The nozzle attachement should be used with caution on carpets as it can, if used on higher settings, put a run or valley (for lack of a better word right now) into the carpet and you'll be hard pressed getting it out. I know this from personal experience!!

If cleaning carpets always use the triangle or rectangular head piece. The jet nozzle can be used but always use it on the lowest setting pressure wise.


Anthony

SharkSkin

Thanks for the info, Anthony. I've been looking for something that I can use on exterior parts. I see that TopOfTheLine does not carry the Protectant Plus and they don't seem to have the Xtreme degreaser available in gallons for online sale. Do you know of a one-stop place to get both?

Interesting info about Armor-All. It was always water-based(soap). In any case, I still will not patronize a company that has been proven guilty of such egregious dishonesty and untold damage done to cars under the pretense of "protecting" them.

Anthony Orosco

Here is the Hi-Temp degreaser - http://www.topoftheline.com/all-purpose-cleaner.html

PM me for the Protectant Plus

Anthony

SharkSkin

I saw that page, I guess I have to call to order a gallon? PM sent.