Being a licensed mechanic, I just thought i'd let you know that "belt dressing" is just about the worst thing you can put on a belt. If the belt makes noise, there is a reason for it. Fix THAT problem.
AND..... "belt dressing" of ANY kind should NEVER EVER be put on a "serpentine" style belt. (Micro "V")
Ya I've heard that from some of the pro crowd but I've had very good luck with it.
I'm not really looking for argument here, Just sharing what has worked for me.
And when you use belt dressing, the belt is "dry" . In my experience all it really does is provide a more grippy, less slippy surface. It is sticky for an hour or so but after that there is no visible trace...just a grippy belt. Again, just trying to share what has worked for me.
And hps4evr, uh yeah, no duh, slipping belts are bad (thanks, I was wondering about that). I'm not advocating slipping belts, just running them a little looser than what is typical spec.
Honestly, guys I am a member of nearly a hundred forums on topics ranging from cars and trucks to R/C cars, planes and helis to refrigeration equipment, fitness equipment and appliance repair, various types of electronics, and so on. It seems to me that on this site I am more likely to be shot down for saying what has worked for me than on most of the others.
You guys who are pro techs or whatever and know better than me: You don't have to follow my advice. You don't even have to read my posts. The fact is, however that I happen to know that there are a lot of guys on here who have only the most basic knowledge of auto mechanics,(and in many cases, that's being generous), I have met some of them and helped them fix their rigs on more than one occasion. My tips are for those who appreciate them.
And Finally. X-treme, I do not limit myself by what something is "for". If I did, Iwould not have a hockey puck body lift, I would not have oversized tires,nor would I have S-10 leafs and explorer shocks in the rear of my XJ. And as for your comment "If the belt makes noise, there is a reason for it fix that problem" well, yeah, if you read my post you would know the reason too: the belt is loose. On purpose. That's the point. If it squeals more than very occasionally, tighten it. That was my advice. And don't just parrot the party line...If you're going to say belt dressing should "NEVER EVER" be used on a serpentine belt (in capitols no less) don't you think that you should at least give a reason for your belief? And don't say that it says so on the package or they tought you that in school, I mean an actual reason...
And why is it that only one person who is an actual friend of mine chimed in with anything positive? I spent my time and energy trying to help those who don't know, just to be contradicted by those who think they do? Doesn't exactly encourage the open exchage of ideas. Especially considering that it would seem we agree on 95% of my post, but the replyers just want to focus on the belt dressing....what about the rest of what I wrote? Or are posters just looking for something they disagree with to respond to? So they can be "right"?
Anyhow I'm NOT a pro automotive tech, but I own a company which provides both warranty (factory authorized) and non warranty service for several kinds of mechanical and electronic items. I train technicians in fields that are not tought at SAIT, where I have to invent the answers to questions. We have no books to refer to. We have no teachers to ask. We just have to figure it out. I have been doing this type of work for 15 years now, and along the way, I've learned a few things. I truly enjoy helping people with their rigs, especially when I know a cheap way to do something that most people think is expensive.
If no one appreciates my posts, perhaps I should go back to spending more time on NAXJA or elsewhere.