Engine Kote

[Details3]

I purchased two gallons of Engine Kote last week. Today when using it, there was no shine at all! This is the second time this has happen in a week. I did shake the container before putting some in a spray bottle. The engine was cleaned before using the Engine Kote. The customer was not real happy with the product I was using. I ended up spraying the engine area with Meguiars tire shine. I have never had any problems in the past with Engine Kote so what did I do wrong or could it have been some bad Engine Kote? Any suggestions?

Thanks

Details3

[Bill D]

I use it on wheel wells and undercarriage paneling only. The shine looks matte but still ok, holds up to dust and some rain well. On my engines I only use a water based dressing ( I adore 303)Since EK is no longer available, after my supply is gone I would use an acrylic floor shine product (do a search on autopia.org for Mop & Glo) or a 3m product comparable to EK--waiting to hear a review from another user over on autopia also about that one.

[gb387]

Originally posted by Bill D
I use it on wheel wells and undercarriage paneling only. The shine looks matte but still ok, holds up to dust and some rain well. On my engines I only use a water based dressing ( I adore 303)Since EK is no longer available, after my supply is gone I would use an acrylic floor shine product (do a search on autopia.org for Mop & Glo) or a 3m product comparable to EK--waiting to hear a review from another user over on autopia also about that one.

Whats your thought on using only water based dressing in the engine? I just used CD-2 on mine for the first time like the look but I think its solvent based. Would water based be easier on the engine components? My next meguiars order I might pick up something else.

[Bill D]

Only water based dressing to completely rule out the chance ( however minute) of fire and premature hose degradation due to heat and the solvent. I always try to play things safe even if it seems insignificant.

[gb387]

Originally posted by Bill D
Only water based dressing to completely rule out the chance ( however minute) of fire and premature hose degradation due to heat and the solvent. I always try to play things safe even if it seems insignificant.

I would agree, just never thought of it.

[Details3]

I sure like the reply to my question.

Has Meguiars come up with a replacement for Engine Kote? Has anyone used the new D170 on the engine compartment?

If I can't find a replacement (price is right) I will have to start mixing up my old formula from the 60's that made anything shine.
You young tarts have no idea what has been lost in the world of detailing from the professionals in the 50/60's.


So thanks for answering my question.

[gb387]

From another post on the new detailer line that Mike posted... "Engine Kote - No replacement"

Some have talked about using Hyper-Dressing but not to sure if anyone has yet. Might try a search on it.

here someone talks a little about hyper dressing:

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1726&highlight=HyperDressing

[Bill D]

Originally posted by Details3
I sure like the reply to my question.

Has Meguiars come up with a replacement for Engine Kote? Has anyone used the new D170 on the engine compartment?

If I can't find a replacement (price is right) I will have to start mixing up my old formula from the 60's that made anything shine.
You young tarts have no idea what has been lost in the world of detailing from the professionals in the 50/60's.


So thanks for answering my question.

Umm I did mention 3m appears to have an equivalent

[Rick]

I think Hyper Dressing is supposed to be the closest replacment for engine kote. I never tried engine kote, nor have I tried hyper dressing yet as I'm still trying to use up about a half gallon of w dressing. I do however use w dressing on my engine with good results. Granted it is not the longest lasting product, but like menitoned above water based is best to eliminate any chance of that potential heat and solvent interaction going on. The other nice thing about water based dressing is you can dillute it way back and just spray it in those impossible to get your hand in areas for all those little hoses.

Also consider your engine compartment won't be subject to weather like an exterior will be so water based dressings do, in my experience, tend to last a decent amount of time in an engine compartment. Also, you can use #38 on things like engine covers for something that will last longer. I like to use it as a base then top with w dressing.

[Bill D]

Originally posted by Rick
I
Also consider your engine compartment won't be subject to weather like an exterior will be so water based dressings do, in my experience, tend to last a decent amount of time in an engine compartment

Well said! That's precisely the case!

[Aurora40]

I've always noticed Engine Kote matches the level of shine the piece has. Matte/flat pieces stay matte but look darker and cleaner. Shinier plastics/rubber get very shiny.

I think EK is water based given that it is dilutable, but maybe my thinking is wrong.

[Bill D]

Aurora,

I tested it alongside Mop and Glo, I do find it to be water based.

[Rockpick]

Originally posted by Details3
I sure like the reply to my question.

Has Meguiars come up with a replacement for Engine Kote? Has anyone used the new D170 on the engine compartment? ...

Details3,

Sorry for your frustration about your thread drifting into other territories. That does, unfortunately, sometimes happen when dealing with message boards.

As a gesture of good will, let me try to pick this one back up on your track...

No, Engine Kote really has no replacement in the Detailer Line. I believe that the decision to not replace it was based on overall sales of the original EK product however; that would have to come from someone's mouth well above me.

None the less, D-170 (Hyper-Dressing) is a product that can be used with great success under the hood. While I was in Irvine at the 3-Day Advanced Surface Care class, we tested it out, not only on tires and wells, but on the engine compartment, side by side with #40 and All Season Dressing (D-160) in several applications(unfortunately, I can't remember the dilutions we were using on the HD 2:1 maybe). The HD yielded a very nice shine that was, honestly, my first choice of the three. Further, to control the amount of shine or to meet your customer's expectations of matte or ultra-high gloss, you can have multiple dilutions available at your finger tips in multiple bottles. You can use the 1:1 mix for your high-gloss customers and scale back to a 4:1 for those customers that don't want to wear shades to look at their dressed parts and pieces.

Meguiar's has led the way in the industry offering a dressing that can be fitted to match an individual's expectations. This, in turn, eliminates the need to purchase several products (a high-gloss, a medium gloss, a satin finish, and a natural finish shine product) in several instances. You have it all in one bottle.

I hope that clarifies a little bit about the product. Please let us know if you should have additional questions!