plastic issue after cleaning engine

[trooper99]

After reading all these posts and seeing how nice engines looked after detailing, I decided to try it on my 99 trooper. I used a Black Magic 2-in-1 engine cleaner. Did a pretty good job, but then I noticed that it started flacking off this 'thin plastic coating' that seems to be over most of the items in the bay. The air filter cover, a plastic shield on the top of the engine, the tops to the fluid containers, etc. I believe there may have been a little flaking already on the air cleaner case, but nothing like after using this chemical. Should I just spray some dressing over it and let it be? I have some #40, so I use a rag to wipe it on? Also, do I need to spray something on the metal now so it doesn't rust? Is there something I can just spray on everything? Hyperdressing on both metal/plastic?
-Thanks

[Mike Phillips]

You might want to start by calling Black Magic and letting them know about your experience using their product. Feedback is important, be it good or bad.

The material or coating you say is flaking off? Has this material/coating completely flaked-off? Or are there areas where it's flaked-off and areas where it's still present?

[trooper99]

I'll give them a call. It looks like a very thin coat of hard plastic on top of the rubber or plastic component. On the engine cover it almost completely removed it. On the air cleaner box, it's 30% flaked or so. I'll try to post some pictures, right after I read up on how to do it

[travisdecpn]

There was a product out on the market that was almost like a clearcoat type coating that some detailers used to dress the engine compartment. It leaves everything really glossy, but it is prone to flaking off. I can't remember the name of the product, but it sounds like that's what has been sprayed on your engine.

[trooper99]

I've owned the truck since new, so this would be from the factory. This is also the first time the engine has been cleaned Hey, I'm new to this

[Hannibal]

I agree that it sounds like you had some dealer installed "spray" on gloss. Probably an acrylic based clear coat, or maybe you paid for a "protectant" package that dealers are known to sell??

does the underside of the flaking look "normal" or does it look like you have stripped the plastic of its paint or texture?

[trooper99]

I did pay for an anti-rust device that 'charges' the shell of the truck and supposedly stops all rust from forming.. It has two black boxes screwed into the firewall, and the have fancy flashing lights and all.. I wasn't aware that they actually sprayed anything on there, but maybe they did. Yes, it looks normal under the flakes, but it just looks bad because some of it is still there. Maybe I'll clean it again to fix that As a side note, I did get a rock chip on the top of the hood once and I let it go for a couple of months and it rusted pretty bad. Ended up having to grind about the size of a nickle to get all the rust off.

P.S. This truck has spent most it life in Chicago and all winter salts.

[Wingsof66]

Anti rust device

"I did pay for an anti-rust device that 'charges' the shell of the truck and supposedly stops all rust from forming.. It has two black boxes screwed into the firewall, and the have fancy flashing lights and all.."



I thought they stopped putting those on cars.
We had a company that sold them a few years ago.
They claimed it was so good, that it kept boats from rusting and it was true. The device worked... but only in 100% humidity, so you have to keep your car soaked in water in order for it to work.

[trooper99]

Yeah, the company probably went under . I'll have to find the original paperwork, I think they only guarentee against rust through on panels, which by the time that would normally happen, most people probably already forgot about or lost the warranty. I usually don't buy those things anymore, however, my wife made me get it for her sebring convertable. Man, has that thing paid off big time