JustJesus
New member
- Oct 10, 2014
- 1,294
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Review BLACKFIRE Pro Detailer's Choice Engine Degreaser
A huge THANK YOU goes out to Meghan and Autogeek for providing this product!
Product Description from Autogeek store
BLACKFIRE Engine Degreaser is a non-toxic, biodegradable formula used to remove crud and oil from your engine and surrounding areas. BLACKFIRE Engine Degreaser uses a gentle formula that will not harm your engine’s components or the paint, plastic, and glass surrounding your engine compartment. Engine bays are a dirty area – they’re exposed to oils, dirt, grime, and all sorts of other crud – but BLACKFIRE Engine Degreaser will get that cleaned in no time!
My Review
Subject: 2014 Kia Sportage
Engine: 2.4L GDI
Mileage: 60k
Location: Bell, California
Time Period: September 2018
Products & Tools
-Metro Blaster SideKick
-Black MF towels
-BFAIOTT - Blackfire All In One Trim & Tire Protectant (old[er], discontinued product)
-Double sided applicator (yellow mesh / grey MF)
-BFED - BLACKFIRE Engine Degreaser (product being reviewed)
-BFWW - Blackfire Waterless Wash Concentrate
-32oz Wide mouth bottle (with BFWW)
-Garden style pump sprayer (tap water)
-Plastic bag
-Gloves (safety first)
-Engine detailing brush
BLACKFIRE Engine Degreaser
Cost: 24.99 (as of 10/17/18)
Size: 32oz bottle with spray head
Scent: Light sent, can’t place it. Definitely not a harsh chemical odor.
Taste: I didn’t try it. (but one never knows) – DO NOT taste this
Consistency: Liquid. Thin enough to be sprayed
Starting off. Visual inspection of the engine bay. I was looking for sensitive spots (ECU, alternator), as well as potential tough (grimey) spots. The engine bay could use some TLC. After removing loose debris like leaves, I gave it a quick vacuum to pick up any other dirt / debris that could come off easily. I then covered the alternator. Here’s what the bay looks like
Initial cleaning. Now that the alternator was covered up, I sprayed water over the left side of the engine bay (facing the car). I only did half of it since the sun was coming up quick and I didn’t want any of the cleaners to dry on the car. Once water was everywhere, I then sprayed some BFWW all over as well. Right away, some of the dirt was being loosened and pushed around just from the spray bottle of BFWW. I let it soak for a minute or two. Up next, I sprayed BFED on the spots I noted earlier during the inspection. Things like the engine mounts, alternator bracket (I left this part exposed, and was careful to wrap the bag around, and in between the brackets). Again, I let the cleaner soak for a few minutes. I proceeded to agitate with the engine detailing brush. I did this to pretty much everything! From the cowl cover, to shock towers, overflow tank, radiator shroud/covers, etc.
Once I was satisfied that all the dirt was agitated and ready to be rinsed off, I took the pump sprayer and rinsed off all the engine bay that was cleaned. I followed up with air drying with the SideKick and took the MF towels to some of the parts that were still wet. Here are some 50/50 shots of the just-cleaned side vs the untouched side.
Satisfied with how this turned out, I pushed the Kia up several feet to get some shade. (I was actually going to drive it in, and luckily remembered the bag on the alternator! Whoa. Close call, man). After getting the shade, I repeated the process on the driver side.
Once that was said and done, it was time to play dress-up! I took the MF applicator and squirted some of the BFAIOTT onto it. Working the product on just about all plastic surfaces and even the rubber hoses. It helped by adding some sheen to the rubber and the plastics. Also, it leaves protection behind! I also went over all those bits with the black MF towels to remove any excess product. Here’s what I was rewarded with!
Conclusion: All these products used worked out well for this little project. But to zero in on the BFED, I would like to point out some things: First, I didn’t have to use a ton of product. The sprayer head did a fine job dispersing the product. The BFED worked well without having to keep spraying the areas I targeted. Second, toward the end I realized that at no point did I feel I was choking from inhaling this product. That’s great!!
When I went to remove the bag from the alternator, there was a spot that was missed (cuz the bag was covering it). To test the BFED, I *first* tried spraying an MF with the BFWW and using my finger to agitate the greasy area. This didn’t phase it. *THEN* I did the same, but this time with the BFED. This did the trick.
To summarize my thoughts on this, I liked it. It seems to have some good cleaning power without the terrible choking that comes with harsh chemicals.
Even better at 25% off right now during the sale