Anyone use belt dressing when detailing engines?

S

stilez

New member
$2.99 for a 8 oz. bottle from a local car care store.





I had a mild squeak from my serpentine belt after a couple minor spills of rad fluid from a leak. The belt is in great shape except for a couple spots I guess. With the colder weather, I would get a squeak for the first 5 seconds when the car was started.





I decided to do a few applications of the dressing as per instructions (apply and run engine for 3-5 mins) over a 15 minute period. It reduced the squeak to pretty much non-existent.





I will start to use this stuff on my details. I think it will add an extra selling point and its cheap and easy to use/apply.





Are there any negatives about this product I should know about?





For those who don't know, this is far different from standard dressings. It makes the belt grab better and conditions it too.
 
yes i have, a buddy of mine who is a mechanic uses it and told me about it.....it will help either lessening the sound or elimanting it completely but just remember for those who have worn out belt it not a miracle solution.....ive used it for sometime with no adverse affect but then again i didnt need to use it often and i always replaced it when needed.....
 
Using belt dressing means you are putting off replacing the belt or tensioner. It's squealing for a reason. And don't use it to shine trim up. Get some of that stuff down the intake, goodbye sensors. Just stick to 303 and proper maintenence on your vehicle.
 
GSRstilez said:
I will start to use this stuff on my details. I think it will add an extra selling point and its cheap and easy to use/apply.

[/i]
Click to expand...



Hey Sean,



Personally, I would stay away from doing anything that may affect the mechanical operation of the vehicle. Just imagine what would happen in a case where everything was fine (no squeaks prior to detailing) and then a few weeks after you apply your belt dressing the belt now begins to squeak. I'm not so sure applying a belt dressing during an engine detail is such a good idea.
 
Frank: Thanks.



Dano: Thanks for your insight as well.





It seemed like a good idea, but after speaking to some other people it sounds more like those pellets you put in your radiator to make it stop leaking. I was more under the impression it was made to strictly condition the belt to a "like new" condition.
 
No, it's more akin to using pine tar on the handle of your baseball bat, it's sticky stuff to give the belt more grip, which helped for glazed v-belts, but I've never needed it on a serpentine.
 
Belt dressing slings like heck too. I fought a squeaky belt for way too long, and I finally broke down and bought a new one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top