How to use a Degreaser to clean your engine compartment - BLACKFIRE Super Degreaser Review [Archive]

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Mike Phillips

12-14-2018, 04:12 PM

How to use a Degreaser to clean your engine compartment - BLACKFIRE Super Degreaser Review (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/2018-product-reviews-by-mike-phillips/121754-how-use-degreaser-clean-your-engine-compartment-blackfire-super-degreaser-review.html)

BLACKFIRE Super Degreaser
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From the AG Store page

BLACKFIRE Super Degreaser uses proprietary ingredients to quickly dissolve and remove even the toughest grease and grime from heavily contaminated areas - including engine compartments, undercarriages, and wheel wells. Super Degreaser is highly concentrated and can be diluted accordingly for your use. This phosphate and residue free formula is biodegradable and safe for use in all environments.

BLACKFIRE Super Degreaser features:

Fast-acting
Dissolves tough grease and grime
Highly concentrated formula
Phosphate free

The above reads good. I'm not a chemist and instead of trying to become a chemist I trust the company that makes the product has a chemist that actually knows what the are doing. Like John Dillon once told me, focus on the performance of the product, not the ingredients in the bottle.

No mock-up here folks...
The ONLY way to write a REAL review for a product like this is to actually use it and if I'm going to take the time to use it I might as well show everyone how to use it at the same time. So here's my how-to article and at the end I'll tell you what I think.

Mix proper dilution

The BLACKFIRE Super Degreaser is a concentrate so before you can use it you need to mix it to the proper dilution for whatever it is you want to clean.

Dillution levels

1:4 Heavy Degreasing
1:10 Moderate Degreasing
1:15 Light Degreasing

I'm going to mix for heavy degreasing. The pour-off bottle olds 30 ounces. 1:4 means a total of 5 parts. 30 divided by 5 equals 5 parts of 6 ounces. This means I need 5 ounces of cleaner and 35 ounces of water.

Here I eyed-up 5 ounces....

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I was close at 4 ounces. Good enough, the grime in the engine won't care...

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Then I added water till I hit 30 ounces of product.

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Mixed and ready to go... to do this type of stuff it helps to have a funnel.

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Victim = Co-workers Camaro
I borrowed a Camaro from one of the guys here at work. Promised him nothing would go wrong. wink/wink

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Here's the motor and engine compartment - doesn't look like it's ever been cleaned.

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Step 1: Blow out all loose dirt and debris

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Step 2: Spray BLACKFIRE Super Degreaser to painted portions on underneath of hood.

I always start up high and then work down. If you clean the motor first and then clean the inside of the hood you'll have grime loosened by the degreaser dripping down on a clean engine, same goes for when you rinse, you'll be rinsing grime onto a clean motor so start high and then go low.

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Step 3: Agitate degreaser wit ha brush.

I like to use a fenderwell brush for the inside of the hood as it makes it easy to reach the middle back of the hood.

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Step 4: Rinse inside of hood

My Technique: What I teach I all my detailing class is the VALUE of a water sprayer with a SHOWER setting. The idea being to loosen grease and grime with a degreaser and using a brush and elbow grease and with this approach a SHOWER setting is all you need to flush away the gunk. The technique I don't like, use or teach is high pressure, either from a sprayer or a pressure washer. The reason why is you risk forcing water into places that it can cause problems and who needs problems? Find your own way, this is what works for me.

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Done - Inside of hood is spotlessly clean.

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On Autogeek.com

NOTE: This is a CONCENTRATE and should be diluted accordingly

BLACKFIRE Super Degreaser - 32 ounce (https://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-super-degreaser.html)

BLACKFIRE Super Degreaser 128 oz. (https://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-super-degreaser-128.html)

:)

Mike Phillips

12-14-2018, 04:59 PM

Continued....

Next we tackle the engine compartment but FIRST spray the paint surrounding the engine compartment with water and then keep it wet until the final rinse. The reason why is it's simply a good practice to not let any degreaser get onto dry paint and then dry on the paint as this can stain the paint. The BLACKFIRE Super Degreaser is very safe and probably wouldn't stain the paint but most degreaser will and for this reason it's a GOOD IDEA to have this as a BEST PRACTICE for yourself. You can also use car wash soap from a bucket to get and keep the surrounding paint wet or even tape off the surrounding paint using plastic drop cloths.

Spray down surrounding paint and keep it wet until the final rinse....

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Step 5: Spray degreaser over the engine compartment

Mike's technique tip
IF the engine compartment is REALLY grimy - divide the engine compartment into smaller sections and work section by section.

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Step 6: Using a variety of brushes - scrub BLACKFIRE Super Degreaser to work into grimy surfaces and break-up the grime.

Speedmaster Wheel Brush is a must-have brush for engine cleaning

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Wheel Woolies Black Boar's Hair Wheel Brush is a must-have brush for engine cleaning

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RaggTopp Haartz Convertible Top Brush can come in real handing for engine cleaning BUT be sure to mark it like I have so you NEVER use it on a convertible top.

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Step 7: Rinse engine compartment using a sprayer with a shower setting to be safe

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On Autogeek.com

NOTE: This is a CONCENTRATE and should be diluted accordingly

BLACKFIRE Super Degreaser - 32 ounce (https://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-super-degreaser.html)

BLACKFIRE Super Degreaser 128 oz. (https://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-super-degreaser-128.html)

:)

Mike Phillips

12-14-2018, 05:10 PM

Continued......

Step 8: Blast all loose water out of cracks, crevices and electrical connections

Mike's Technique Tip
Million ways to skin a cat but everyone should own a Metrovac Sidekick. It's lightweight and POWERFUL. Works perfect for blowing water out of engine compartments.

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And here's a spotlessly clean engine!

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My SECRET TECHNIQUE
Before starting the engine - I cross my fingers. Has worked every time. I've never seen a "Check Engine Light" come on after I've cleaned someone else's engine compartment - knock on wood or plastic, or steel.

Fingers crossed

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Key into ignition....

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Success! No Check Engine Light and just as good, the engine is purring like a kitten!

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:)

Mike Phillips

12-14-2018, 05:20 PM

Continued.....

Optional Step

Apply dressing to all plastic surfaces. For this I'll use the BLACKFIRE Multi-Surface Dressing Concentrate only I like to use it full strength.

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See how the right hand side looks darker and richer?

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Mike's Technique Tip
Use a brush to agitate the dressing into tight areas and then blow out any excess. For this I'll use the RaggTopp/Haartz convertible top brush but first I rinse out all the degreaser. After rinsing out the degreaser I'll then blow dry it using the Metrovac SideKick, this way it's clean and dry and perfect for spreading the dressing.

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Next blow out any excess....

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Last but not least, wipe all painted surfaces with a spray detailer to add some shine and protection.

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Here's the finished results outside....

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Next I put the hood down and run the motor a SECOND TIME - this will burn off any dressing that landed on the engine or exhaust.

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Working smarter instead of harder....

While the engine is warming up and baking off any residual cleaner or dressing, now is the PERFECT time to rinse out my brushes. They already have a cleaner on them, (the Super Degreaser), so spraying with water easily cleans them up and then they will be ready to use for my co-workers here at Autogeek - not a greasy mess.

Rinse brushes

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On Autogeek.com

NOTE: This is a CONCENTRATE and should be diluted accordingly

BLACKFIRE Super Degreaser - 32 ounce (https://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-super-degreaser.html)

BLACKFIRE Super Degreaser 128 oz. (https://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-super-degreaser-128.html)

:)

Mike Phillips

12-14-2018, 05:39 PM

Continued....

It was kind of hard to see just how nice the engine compartment looked after cleaning and dressing so I moved the Camaro inside and took a few more pictures.

Beauty shots inside garage

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Product showcase

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And here's everything I used...

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Review
First - most super degreasers are nasty. They smell bad, dry fast and leave a white residue all over the place, (that's the phosphates I believe), not so with this new super degreaser. I did not detect a foul odor but then I also didn't lift the concentrate in the bottle to my nose and take a deep whiff. The engine compartment on this Camaro was surprisingly grimy and at 4:1 the BLACKFIRE Super Degreaser simply peeled the grease and grime off with hardly any scrubbing on my part. Just as important the residues rinsed off easily and completely.

I was genuinely impressed with the performance of this product. I would recommend it to first time engine detailers and pros alike.

The links for this product are below and if you want any of the cool tools I use and endorse, simply call customer care here at Autogeek and CITE this thread. They should know about it and looking at the picture above will help them to get you exactly what you want.

1-800-869-3011

On Autogeek.com

NOTE: This is a CONCENTRATE and should be diluted accordingly

BLACKFIRE Super Degreaser - 32 ounce (https://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-super-degreaser.html)

BLACKFIRE Super Degreaser 128 oz. (https://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-super-degreaser-128.html)

:)

Mike Phillips

12-18-2018, 01:16 PM

I renamed this thread because it's more of a step-by-step how-to article than a review.

Lots of tips and techniques included...

:autowash:

mk9750

12-18-2018, 02:43 PM

Bruno Soares

12-18-2018, 03:18 PM

Wow, I can't believe I never thought about using my sidekick to dry my brushes! I always wash them and shake as good as possible but put them away on a rack still wet and let air dry. I use the sidekick on the car anyways so might as well blow dry the brushes. Thanks for the idea :)

rlmccarty2000

12-19-2018, 12:01 AM

Very nice how-to article Mike. Thank you for your patience in recording all the steps for posterity.

I’m not a fan of the Speedmaster on wheels due to the blow back when you pull it out from wheel face, maybe I can get some use out of it on engines. I like to use the Wheel Woolies in all the sizes to get into all the crevices. The brush to apply the dressing is a good idea. I usually just mist 303 Aerospace Protectant everywhere and followup with a microfiber towel to remove the excess.

I always take the time after engine cleaning to replace the grease on the hinges and locks and put some on the battery posts to discourage oxidation/corrosion. Good time to inspect the battery cables for tightness also.

SWETM

12-19-2018, 08:27 AM

Nice review/ how to article! And a lot of great tips and techniques I will be useing myself next engine cleaning. Seems like I will have to look at the side-kick some more. It's seems very handy for a lot of places.

/ Tony

Thomkirby

12-19-2018, 09:43 AM

Thanks for all those pictures, yes this was both a demo and a hand-on tutorial. Thanks for sharing the tips and tricks once again. Love the use of the Sidekick hand blower and using it to dry the brushes is a much easier method than swinging it to dry. Should have a happy Camaro owner, hope they can keep it up!

Kirby

Mike Phillips

02-01-2019, 11:31 AM

Love the idea of a Speedmaster Wheel Brush! Never thought about that. I've been using a dedicated large head detailing brush, and although it does OK, I've always struggles with places "just out of reach". This will solve THAT problem!

I learned on my own working from top down. My wife wanted to know why the back collar of one of my shirts was discolored. Apparently, the degreaser I use doesn't get along with modern day polo shirts! And, of course, I had to redo the lower part, as well.

Starting with the underside of the hood is a sign of someone that actually knows what they are doing. Skipping it or doing it second is a sign of someone still learning, (that's okay), or faking it. :laughing:

Wow, I can't believe I never thought about using my sidekick to dry my brushes! I always wash them and shake as good as possible but put them away on a rack still wet and let air dry. I use the sidekick on the car anyways so might as well blow dry the brushes.

Thanks for the idea :)

I love the Sidekick. It's one of my top favorite 10 tools. I use it for all kinds of projects.

At ALL my classes I show the Sidekick and blow each students palm with it so they can see just how powerful the air volume and pressure is coming out of the tiny tool. It blows people away - PUN INTENDED! :laughing:

Very nice how-to article Mike. Thank you for your patience in recording all the steps for posterity.

I appreciate the appreciation. Takes time to do it right the first time and then document it with text and pictures. A lost art in my opinion as I just don't see anyone else in our industry doing this any longer.

I’m not a fan of the Speedmaster on wheels due to the blow back when you pull it out from wheel face, maybe I can get some use out of it on engines.

I agree - when cleaning wheels, because we're usually sitting right across from them, when pulling the bristles out they LAUNCH the wheel cleaner and all the grime you just lossened onto you. Even if you use the little twisting technique, that is twisting the Speedmaster brush as you pull it out, in my experience this doesn't actually solve, stop or reduce the splatter problem. So what I do is wear work cloths that I don't care if they get dirty or stained.

I do tend to cover up my polished aluminum leg however to avoid staining the surface. :)

I like to use the Wheel Woolies in all the sizes to get into all the crevices. The brush to apply the dressing is a good idea. I usually just mist 303 Aerospace Protectant everywhere and followup with a microfiber towel to remove the excess.

Wheel Woolies are great. Someone asked me,

Mike,

Which should I get? The Wheel Woolie or the Speedmaster Brush?

I said you need them both, it's not an either/or decision.

The Wheel Woolie is simply to effective at SCRUBBING years of built-up road grime and brake dust on the inner barrel, especially if you're NOT removing the wheels. The Speedmaster is simply to effective at getting in and around the brake calipers and of course, because you can bend it, you can get the backside of the wheel spokes. There is a 90 degree Wheel Woolie brush but I find the Speedmaster better - at least for me and my personal wheels.

I always take the time after engine cleaning to replace the grease on the hinges and locks and put some on the battery posts to discourage oxidation/corrosion.

Good time to inspect the battery cables for tightness also.

You're a true Car Guy as real car guys not only know to do this but have the tools to do the work and the correct grease to do the lubrication. Most people just have the key to the car. :laughing:

Nice review/ how to article! And a lot of great tips and techniques I will be useing myself next engine cleaning. Seems like I will have to look at the side-kick some more. It's seems very handy for a lot of places.

/ Tony

Thanks Tony. I always appreciate you're taking the time to chime in. Now days - so many people just click on a thread and read it (or scan it), and rarely do they participate. I appreciate those that participate a lot more than those that don't.

Thanks for all those pictures, yes this was both a demo and a hands-on tutorial. Thanks for sharing the tips and tricks once again.

Love the use of the Sidekick hand blower and using it to dry the brushes is a much easier method than swinging it to dry.

Should have a happy Camaro owner, hope they can keep it up!

Kirby

Thanks Kirby, and because you just went through my 3-day detailing class, except for the Tornador Air Foamer - for all other aspects of how to detail an engine and the tools to use I hope you'll agree I am the real deal and walked this talk in the class on Saturday morning.

Pictures & Comments - January 2019 3-Day Detailing Class (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-from-autogeeks-3-day-detailing-classes-with-mike-phillips/122073-pictures-comments-january-2019-3-day-detailing-class.html)

Thanks for all the comments and questions guys - I do appreciate your time to type.

:dblthumb2:

Mike Phillips

02-01-2019, 11:37 AM

***Update***

Just referenced this article here,

Foaming the engine bay (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-to-videos/122116-foaming-engine-bay.html)

I could do this all day....

:laughing:

Mike Phillips

07-12-2019, 02:06 PM

***Bump***

Share the tools and techniques shared in this article at all my classes.

:)

Paul A.

07-12-2019, 02:18 PM

An awesome tutorial!