Best Degreaser for Automotive

How to choose an automotive degreaser

Soil level first

Light dirt needs a diluted all-purpose cleaner, medium engine-bay grease needs a citrus or workshop concentrate, and heavy shop grease needs a professional or shop-strength formula. Buying the strongest product for light dirt wastes money and raises surface risk; buying a light product for heavy grease wastes time.

Dilution is the real product

Concentrates are only as good as their mixing: the D108 publishes a 4 to 1 heavy dilution, Pro HD publishes 1 to 3, and All Clean+ publishes 10 to 1 for light work and 4 to 1 for heavier work. Label mixed bottles, measure rather than guessing, and mix fresh for the job.

Surface safety decides the winner

Aluminium, coatings, leather and paint all react differently to alkaline cleaners. Pro HD states non-corrosive behaviour on metals, while the D108 safety data sheet warns of corrosion. When in doubt, test a hidden area, shorten dwell, and rinse promptly.

Dwell and agitation beat extra product

A degreaser softens grease; a brush removes it. Spraying more product without agitation rarely cleans better, and over-dwelling on aluminium or paint causes the damage owners report. Dwell briefly, agitate, rinse, and repeat rather than soaking.

Form: concentrate versus ready spray

Concentrates stretch across many jobs and let you control strength, but they need measuring and a sprayer. Ready sprays suit quick engine-bay work and spot cleaning, at higher cost per job. Workshops usually need both: a gallon for the bench, a spray for the bay.

Protection and disposal

Strong degreasers need gloves and eye protection, and rinse water carries oil and grease that must not reach soil or storm drains. Collect used fluid where local rules require it, and store concentrates away from children and pets with labels intact.

Dilution and strength at a glance

Use this table to plan mixing. Rows summarise maker-published figures; where a maker publishes nothing for a size, the table says so.

Automotive degreasers by budget

Types of automotive degreasers

Detailed reviews: automotive degreasers

Five degreasers, five soil levels. Each block below gives the specifications the maker publishes, what owners report, and who should look elsewhere.

Best Overall: Meguiar's Super Degreaser D10801, 1 Gallon

Best Overall — Best for professional engine and parts degreasing

Why the Meguiar's D108 is our pick

The D108 earns the top spot on documentation and strength together. Its technical bulletin publishes a pH of 13.5 and a heavy-duty dilution of 4 to 1, which lets a buyer plan the job instead of guessing. The maker positions it as a detailer and professional product that breaks down heavy grease quickly, and its safety data sheet confirms automotive use with corrosive hazard labelling that should be respected, not ignored. For engine bays, parts and shop equipment where grease is heavy and time matters, a documented professional formula beats a vague all-purpose cleaner.

Meguiar's D108 key specs

• Size: 1 gallon, part D10801
• Larger sizes: 5 gallon D10805 and 55 gallon D10855 per the bulletin
• pH: 13.5 per the technical bulletin
• Heavy-duty dilution: 4 to 1 per the bulletin
• Form: liquid concentrate, spray application per the listing
• UPC: 070382208011
• Intended use: automotive per the safety data sheet
• Hazard: corrosive to metals, skin corrosion category per the safety data sheet
• Packaging: 1 gallon, 4 per case per the bulletin
• Maker help line: published on the bulletin
• Best for: professional car washes and detailers per the maker
• Warranty: not published on the listing page

Meguiar's D108: fits and best for

The D108 fits professional detailers, workshops and owners tackling heavy engine-bay or parts grease. It fits jobs where dilution control matters and where protective gloves and eye protection are already routine. It does not fit light household cleaning, unprotected aluminium work or owners who want a gentle spray-and-wipe product, since its corrosive labelling demands respect and prompt rinsing.

Meguiar's D108 pros and watch-outs

Meguiar's D108: what owners report

• Listing-page owner reports credit the D108 for cutting heavy engine grease at the published dilutions, with dwell and agitation doing more than extra product.
• The maker safety data sheet warns of skin corrosion and serious eye damage, which owners echo as a reason for gloves and eye protection.
• Owner reports on the listing page advise testing hidden areas first on painted or coated parts before a full application.

Meguiar's D108: who should not buy

Skip the D108 if the job is light dirt, if aluminium is involved without a compatibility check, or if you will not wear protection. The All Clean+ or Pro HD below fits those jobs better.

Meguiar's D108: pair it with

Pair it with a chemical-resistant sprayer and a stiff parts brush, so dilution, dwell and agitation all work together instead of relying on product alone.

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Tip: apply at the published dilution, agitate, and rinse before it dries, and read our contact cleaner versus degreaser guide for product boundaries.

Best Workshop Safe: Simple Green Pro HD Heavy Duty Cleaner Concentrate, 1 Gallon

Best Workshop Safe — Best for workshops that need strength without metal corrosion

Why the Simple Green Pro HD is our pick

Pro HD is the workshop safety pick. The maker describes it as a professional-grade cleaner and degreaser that breaks down grease on engines, car exteriors, machinery, floors and walls, while remaining non-corrosive to metals, non-degrading to plastics and clean rinsing. That combination matters in a mixed shop where the same product may touch steel brackets, aluminium parts and plastic trim in one session. Its heavy dilution of 1 cup to 3 cups of water is published on the listing, so a buyer can mix for the job rather than guessing at strength.

Simple Green Pro HD key specs

• Size: 1 gallon concentrate
• Part number: 2110000413421
• Heavy dilution: 1 cup to 3 cups of water per the listing
• Metal safety: non-corrosive to metals per the maker
• Plastic safety: non-degrading to plastics per the maker
• Rinsing: clean rinsing per the maker
• Uses: engines, car exteriors, machinery, floors and walls per the maker
• Form: liquid concentrate
• Grade: professional grade per the maker
• Certification note: PROP 65 product per the listing
• Best for: shop and automotive cleaning per the maker
• Warranty: not published on the listing page

Simple Green Pro HD: fits and best for

Pro HD fits workshops, garages and owners who clean mixed metals and plastics in one session. It fits engine bays, machinery and shop floors where a single dilutable product simplifies stock. It is less suited to the heaviest professional detailing work where the D108 documented strength leads, and to buyers who want a ready-to-use spray rather than a concentrate to mix.

Simple Green Pro HD pros and watch-outs

Simple Green Pro HD: what owners report

• Listing-page owner reports value Pro HD as a shop staple that cleans engines and machinery without the metal worries of harsher formulas.
• Owner reports on the listing page note the 1 to 3 heavy mix cuts greasy blocks well, while lighter mixes suit general cleaning.
• Buyer feedback on the listing page advises rinsing promptly and not letting the product dry on surfaces.

Simple Green Pro HD: who should not buy

Skip Pro HD if you need the heaviest professional detailing strength or a ready spray with no mixing: the D108 and the spray bundle in the safety section fit those jobs better.

Simple Green Pro HD: pair it with

Pair it with a labelled spray bottle set for heavy and light mixes, so dilution mistakes do not happen mid-job.

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Tip: label every mixed bottle with its dilution and date, and see our automotive degreasers review guide for dilution comparisons.

Best Citrus: Chemical Guys Signature Series Orange Degreaser, 128 oz

Best Citrus — Best for citrus cleaning of engines, tires and undercarriages

Why the Orange Degreaser is our pick

The Orange Degreaser is the citrus pick. Chemical Guys describes it as a professional-strength citrus degreaser designed to remove tough dirt, grime and grease, concentrated for flexible cleaning power across engines, tires, undercarriages, tools and more. Citrus formulas appeal to owners who want strong cutting without a solvent smell in a closed garage, and the gallon format suits owners who degrease regularly rather than once a year. It sits between the gentle all-purpose cleaners and the corrosive professional formulas: strong enough for engine bays, manageable enough for routine use.

Orange Degreaser key specs

• Size: 128 oz, 1 gallon
• Type: citrus-based professional-strength degreaser
• Uses: engines, tires, undercarriages, tools and more per the maker
• Form: concentrated liquid for flexible dilution
• Scent: citrus per the maker line
• Best for: professional and enthusiast engine cleaning
• Application: spray and rinse per the maker method
• Part number for this size: not published on the listing page
• Dilution chart for this size: not published on the listing page
• Surface note: test hidden areas first on coated parts
• Maker: Chemical Guys
• Warranty: not published on the listing page

Orange Degreaser: fits and best for

The Orange Degreaser fits owners who clean engine bays, tires, undercarriages and tools regularly and prefer a citrus formula. It fits garages where a solvent smell is unwelcome and where a gallon lasts across many washes. It is less suited to the heaviest shop soil, where the D108 or SuperClean lead, and to buyers who need a published dilution chart for exact mixing.

Orange Degreaser pros and watch-outs

Orange Degreaser: what owners report

• Listing-page owner reports credit the citrus formula for cutting engine-bay grease while leaving a fresher garage smell than solvent cleaners.
• Owner reports on the listing page advise agitation on tyres and undercarriage grime, where spray alone underperforms.
• Buyer feedback on the listing page notes the gallon lasts across many engine cleans, making it a routine-use purchase.

Orange Degreaser: who should not buy

Skip the Orange Degreaser if the soil is heavy shop grease or if you need exact published dilutions: the D108 documents its chart, and SuperClean suits heavy parts work.

Orange Degreaser: pair it with

Pair it with a tyre brush and an undercarriage spray wand, so the citrus formula reaches the areas where grime actually collects.

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Tip: agitate tyres and textured undercarriage areas after spraying, and read our heavy equipment degreaser guide for soil matching.

Best Shop Strength: SuperClean All-Purpose Cleaner and Degreaser, 1 Gallon

Best Shop Strength — Best for heavy parts, floors and shop cleaning

Why the SuperClean is our pick

SuperClean is the shop-strength pick. The maker presents it as a versatile all-purpose cleaner and degreaser that reduces the number of cleaning products a shop needs, with a gallon size suited to parts, equipment, garages and floors. Its strength is the reason owners buy it for concrete, parts and heavy grime, and the same strength is why this guide places it after the metal-safe Pro HD for mixed-metal work: strong alkaline cleaners demand surface checks, especially on aluminium and painted parts. For concrete floors, greasy parts and shop equipment, it is a straightforward, hard-working gallon.

SuperClean key specs

• Size: 1 gallon, 128 fluid ounces
• Part number: 101723
• UPC: 752913177040
• Type: all-purpose cleaner and degreaser
• Uses: parts, equipment, garages, floors and more per the maker
• Form: liquid concentrate
• Scent: orange per the listing page
• Best for: heavy shop and garage cleaning
• Surface caution: check aluminium and painted parts before full use
• Application: brush or pressure washer per the maker method
• Maker: Superclean
• Warranty: not published on the listing page

SuperClean: fits and best for

SuperClean fits shops, garages and owners cleaning parts, concrete floors and heavy equipment. It fits pressure-washer work on driveways and floors where a strong formula pays off. It is less suited to delicate aluminium, coated parts or light household cleaning, where its strength is unnecessary and its surface risk is higher.

SuperClean pros and watch-outs

SuperClean: what owners report

• A machinist forum discussion compares strong purple cleaners and notes SuperClean among the strongest cleaners owners have used, with aluminium caution as the recurring warning.
• Listing-page owner reports credit SuperClean for concrete and parts cleaning where lighter formulas failed.
• Owner reports on the listing page advise testing a hidden area on any coated or aluminium part before full application.

SuperClean: who should not buy

Skip SuperClean if the job involves unprotected aluminium, delicate coatings or light dirt: Pro HD or All Clean+ fits those jobs with less surface risk.

SuperClean: pair it with

Pair it with a stiff floor brush and a pressure washer nozzle set, so dwell, agitation and rinsing all contribute to the result.

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Tip: never let a strong degreaser dry on concrete or parts, and see our heavy-duty engine cleaning tools guide for agitation tools.

Best Light-Duty: Chemical Guys All Clean+ Citrus All Purpose Cleaner, 128 oz

Best Light-Duty — Best for light cleaning and all-purpose dilution flexibility

Why the All Clean+ is our pick

All Clean+ is the light-duty pick. Chemical Guys describes it as a versatile citrus all-purpose cleaner that cuts dirt, grease and grime inside, outside and underneath the vehicle, and one gallon makes up to 12 gallons of cleaner at the published dilutions: 10 parts water to 1 part cleaner for light cleaning, and 4 parts water to 1 part cleaner for heavy-duty work within its range. That dilution flexibility is the point: a single gallon serves fabric, carpet, upholstery, vinyl, leather and light exterior work, where a corrosive professional formula would be the wrong tool entirely.

All Clean+ key specs

• Size: 128 oz, 1 gallon
• Part number: CLD_101SW
• Yield: up to 12 gallons at published dilutions
• Light dilution: 10 parts water to 1 part cleaner per the maker
• Heavy dilution within range: 4 parts water to 1 part cleaner per the maker
• Type: citrus-based all-purpose super cleaner
• Uses: fabric, carpet, upholstery, vinyl, leather and more per the maker
• Scent: citrus per the maker
• Form: liquid concentrate
• Best for: all-purpose interior and exterior light cleaning
• First available: August 2010 per the listing page
• Warranty: not published on the listing page

All Clean+: fits and best for

All Clean+ fits owners who want one gallon for light cleaning across the vehicle and the garage: interiors, trim, wheels at light soil and general grime. It fits households where a strong degreaser would be overkill and where dilution flexibility stretches one purchase across many jobs. It is less suited to heavy engine or shop grease, where the D108, SuperClean or Pro HD lead.

All Clean+ pros and watch-outs

All Clean+: what owners report

• Listing-page owner reports value All Clean+ as a single gallon that covers interior, trim and light exterior jobs at different dilutions.
• Owner reports on the listing page note the light 10 to 1 mix suits frequent wipe-downs, while the 4 to 1 mix handles heavier general grime.
• Buyer feedback on the listing page advises testing leather and fabric in a hidden area before a full clean.

All Clean+: who should not buy

Skip All Clean+ if the soil is heavy engine or shop grease: it will disappoint at any dilution. Take the D108 for engines, SuperClean for parts, or Pro HD for mixed workshops.

All Clean+: pair it with

Pair it with a set of labelled spray bottles for light and heavy mixes, plus a soft interior brush for fabric and trim.

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Tip: mix light for interiors and heavy only for general grime, and read our deep cleaning products guide for interior routines.

Spec comparison

Installation and setup basics

Start by reading the safety data sheet and the label for the product you bought, not for a similar product: dilution, dwell and protection differ across this guide. Cover the air intake, alternator, exposed electrical connectors and any open ports before spraying an engine bay, and never spray a hot engine. Mix concentrate at the published dilution in a labelled sprayer, apply to a cool surface, and let it dwell only briefly — long enough to soften grease, short enough to rinse before drying. Agitate with a brush on textured areas, tyres and undercarriage grime, then rinse thoroughly from the top down, keeping rinse water out of intakes and electrical parts. On aluminium, coated parts or leather, test a hidden area first, shorten dwell, and rinse promptly; if discolouration appears, stop and switch to a gentler product. Store concentrates upright, labelled and away from children and pets, and dispose of used fluid under local rules for oily water. For related routines, read our contact cleaner versus degreaser guide, our automotive degreasers review guide and our engine cleaning tools beginners guide. Browse the full Cleaning Chemicals and Consumables category and our heavy-duty engine cleaning tools manufacturers guide for adjacent coverage. See also our car wash bucket guide and our shop paper towels guide.

Safety essentials

Three accessories worth having with this guide:

• A ready spray plus refill for bay work: Check Price for the Simple Green Pro HD spray and concentrate refill bundle.
• A citrus spray for spot work: Check Price for the Chemical Guys All Clean+ 16 oz spray.
• A chemical-resistant sprayer for concentrates: see our engine cleaning tools under 50 guide for sprayer and brush notes.

Troubleshooting

Who should NOT buy these

Light-job buyers should not buy the strongest formulas. A corrosive professional degreaser for light dirt wastes money and raises surface risk. All Clean+ at its light dilution fits that job better.

Aluminium owners should not buy on strength alone. Strong alkaline cleaners discolour aluminium when they dwell too long. Pro HD, with its non-corrosive claim, or a tested gentle formula fits aluminium work better.

Spray-and-wipe buyers should not buy concentrates they will not mix. A gallon that stays unmixed helps no one. If measuring and labelling will not happen, buy a ready spray and a refill bundle instead.

Household buyers should not buy shop gallons for kitchen work. Shop degreasers are formulated for garages, parts and floors, not food areas. Keep a separate household cleaner for kitchens and follow its own label.

Final verdict

Best Overall: Meguiar's Super Degreaser D10801, 1 Gallon — Check Price

Best Workshop Safe: Simple Green Pro HD Heavy Duty Cleaner Concentrate, 1 Gallon — Check Price

Best Citrus: Chemical Guys Signature Series Orange Degreaser, 128 oz — Check Price

Best Shop Strength: SuperClean All-Purpose Cleaner and Degreaser, 1 Gallon — Check Price

Best Light-Duty: Chemical Guys All Clean+ Citrus All Purpose Cleaner, 128 oz — Check Price

FAQ

What is the best degreaser for automotive use?

For professional strength, the Meguiar's D108 leads on published pH and dilution. For mixed-metal workshops, Simple Green Pro HD leads on its non-corrosive claim. For routine engine bays, the Chemical Guys Orange Degreaser suits citrus cleaning, and All Clean+ suits light work.

Can degreaser damage aluminium?

Yes. Strong alkaline degreasers can discolour aluminium, especially when they dwell too long or dry on the surface. Use a formula stated as non-corrosive to metals, test a hidden area first, shorten dwell and rinse promptly.

Should I dilute degreaser or use it neat?

Follow the maker dilution: D108 at 4 to 1 for heavy work, Pro HD at 1 cup to 3 cups for heavy work, and All Clean+ at 10 to 1 for light work or 4 to 1 for heavier general work. Neat concentrate wastes product and raises surface risk.

How long should degreaser dwell?

Briefly: long enough to soften grease, short enough to rinse before drying. Dwell plus agitation cleans better than extra product, and over-dwelling on aluminium or paint causes the damage owners report.

Can I use automotive degreaser on paint?

Only with prompt rinsing and a hidden-area test, and never let it dry on paint. Heavy dilutions belong on greasy parts and bays, not on finished paint, where a gentler wash product is safer.

Is citrus degreaser as strong as professional degreaser?

Citrus formulas cut typical engine-bay grease well and suit owners who prefer to avoid harsh solvents, but they are not a universal substitute for professional concentrates on heavy shop soil. Match the formula to the soil level.

Do I need gloves and eye protection?

Yes for strong degreasers, and especially for corrosive-labelled formulas such as D108, whose safety data sheet warns of skin corrosion and serious eye damage. Gloves and eye protection are routine workshop practice, not optional extras.

Can I put degreaser in a pressure washer?

Only a formula whose maker allows it, at the maker dilution, and never into a washer reserved for other chemicals. SuperClean suits brush or pressure-washer application per its maker method, while other products need their own label check.

What should I do with used degreaser fluid?

Collect it rather than draining it to soil or storm drains, and dispose of it under local waste rules for oily water. Rinse water from engine bays and parts carries oil and grease that must not reach drains.

Sources

• Meguiar's maker site — D108 product line and technical documentation.
• Simple Green maker site — Pro HD product line and dilution guidance.
• Chemical Guys maker site — Orange Degreaser and All Clean+ product lines.
• Meguiar's D108 technical bulletin — pH 13.5 and 4 to 1 heavy-duty dilution.
• Meguiar's D108 safety data sheet — automotive use and corrosive hazard labelling.
• Machinist forum on strong cleaners — owner discussion of strong purple cleaners including SuperClean.
• Meguiar's D108 listing evidence — ASIN B0006SH4HS, part D10801, UPC 070382208011.
• Simple Green Pro HD listing evidence — ASIN B00103YQ88, part 2110000413421, 1 to 3 heavy mix.
• Orange Degreaser listing evidence — ASIN B00E0MWTLW, 128 oz citrus degreaser.
• SuperClean listing evidence — ASIN B01J05YTU2, part 101723, UPC 752913177040.
• All Clean+ listing evidence — ASIN B003ZBIYVS, part CLD_101SW, dilution guidance.

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