You can turn it up or turn it down and it goes as deep or as minimally evasive as you want,” he said. “And you get a much better, cleaner finished product. It can go in deeper on a more heavily corroded undercarriage, and it’s going to allow us to remove more of that in not only an economic, but a safe way too. We’re not using a bunch of heavy detergents and scrubbing on it.
Provide High-End Detailing Results that Command Premium Pricing with Cold Jet Dry Ice Blasting
Cold Jet’s dry ice cleaning machines deliver superior cleaning results for automotive detailing and restoration professionals. By replacing time-consuming manual methods and harsh chemicals with a non-abrasive, moisture-free solution, detailing and restoration businesses achieve the following results with dry ice cleaning:
- Significant Time Savings: Cut cleaning time by up to 80%. Jobs that take 4+ hours manually are finished in minutes, without compromising quality.
- Chemical-Free: Significantly reduce harsh solvents and chemical-based cleaners that can impact delicate finishes.
- Preserve Original Surfaces and Signatures: The non-abrasive process cleans original paint, chrome, aluminum, rubber, and electrical components without damaging the surfaces. Dry ice cleaning also reveals production line signatures that authenticate a vehicle’s history and increase its value.
- No Water Damage: Completely dry cleaning eliminates moisture that damages electrical systems, sensors, and electronics.
- Minimal to No Disassembly: Clean complete engines, transmissions, and undercarriages in place without removing parts. Eliminate hours or days of labor associated with disassembly and reassembly.
- Application Versatility: One solution addresses every cleaning challenge—from heavy undercarriage buildup to delicate interior components, engine bays, brake assemblies, and vintage restoration projects.
Ready to transform your auto detailing or vehicle restoration processes? Contact us today to learn how Cold Jet dry ice blasting machines can help you deliver premium results, reduce labor costs, and attract high-value clients.
What are the Benefits of Dry Ice Cleaning for Automotive Detailing and Restoration?
Dry ice blasting preserves original finishes while delivering superior cleaning results in a fraction of the time—reducing jobs that take hours down to minutes.
Traditional detailing and restoration methods, such as hand scrubbing, steam cleaners, and pressure washers, are often tedious manual processes that require chemical solvents. These methods are time-consuming and can damage delicate surfaces like original paint, chrome, rubber, and electrical components. Cold Jet dry ice cleaning is non-abrasive and effectively removes contaminants without damaging original finishes or sensitive components.
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Clean Faster and More Effectively
Dry ice blasting removes grease, oils, road grime, and cosmoline from undercarriages, engine bays, transmissions, and intricate assemblies in a fraction of the time. For example, cleaning an engine bay manually can take 3 to 4 hours. With dry ice cleaning, an engine bay can be cleaned in 10 minutes. This enables detailing shops to increase throughput and complete multiple projects per day.
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Protect Original Finishes and Surface Integrity
Dry ice cleaning is non-abrasive and will not damage original paint, OEM coatings, chrome, aluminum, rubber, or electrical wiring. Unlike traditional cleaners, Cold Jet dry ice cleaning preserves surface integrity without etching metal or removing original signatures or serial numbers that are critical for authentication and value.
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Expose Production Line Signatures
Dry ice cleaning effectively removes rust inhibitors and aftermarket coatings which can reveal valuable production line signatures, such as inspector markings, factory date stamps, paint daubs, and factory finishes critical for vehicle authenticity and value.
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No Water or Secondary Waste
Dry ice sublimates to gas on impact, producing no secondary waste. No moisture or chemicals are left on the vehicle parts, preventing corrosion and water damage to electrical systems. Pressure washing and steam cleaning create a waste stream that may need to be treated and properly disposed of.
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Ergonomic and Safer for Operators
Dry ice blasting eliminates harsh chemical solvents, improving workplace safety and reducing health risks. Lightweight applicators reduce physical strain and eliminate repetitive scrubbing motions required with manual methods. Operators avoid toxic fumes and skin-damaging chemicals while maintaining comfortable working positions, reducing fatigue and enabling consistent productivity throughout the day.
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Clean with Little to No Disassembly
Dry ice blasting cleans complete engines, transmissions, and assemblies in place without requiring disassembly. This eliminates hours or days of labor and is particularly valuable for rare vehicles where repeated disassembly risks damaging irreplaceable components.
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Reach Tight Spaces
Dry ice particles quickly and effortlessly penetrate intricate engine components, recessed undercarriage pockets, and complex assemblies that brushes and other tools cannot reach. This delivers uniform, thorough cleaning throughout the vehicle.
Dry Ice Blasting is Effective for All Types of Auto Detailing and Restoration
The process delivers measurable benefits across three distinct market segments:
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Professional Auto Detailing
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Classic Car Restoration
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Dealership and Service Center Cleaning
Professional Auto Detailing
Dry ice cleaning delivers premium detailing results that command top-market pricing.
Cold Jet dry ice cleaning enables detailing shops to provide luxury and exotic vehicle owners with high-end auto detailing services. Dry ice blasting excels at engine bay detailing, undercarriage detailing, wheel well cleaning, and all areas of auto detailing. It easily removes years of accumulated grease, oil, and road grime with minimal disassembly of the vehicle components. Dry ice cleaning safely cleans around electrical connections while reaching difficult to reach and tight spaces—delivering thorough, non-destructive results.
The process is dramatically faster than manual methods, often increasing shop throughput 3x to 4x per day. Dry ice cleaning provides your detailing business with another premium service offering to attract high-end clients.
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Dry ice cleaning detailing the undercarriage of Ferrari
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Removing oil and grime from engine bay components with dry ice cleaning
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Cleaning the undercarriage of a high-end vehicle with dry ice blasting
Classic Car Restoration
Professional preservationists and restorers achieve concours-quality results while preserving vehicle authenticity and value with dry ice cleaning.
Cold Jet dry ice cleaning safely removes decades of accumulated contaminants from vehicles while preserving original finishes, serial numbers, OEM coatings, and factory signatures that authenticate and add value to restored vehicles. The process provides non-destructive restoration of classic cars, unlike traditional sandblasting or chemical solutions that damage original surfaces and components.
Dry ice cleaning excels at vehicle underbody restoration, chassis cleaning, and classic car frame cleaning. It efficiently removes failed paint, surface rust, oils, and other contaminants while preserving base metal integrity. The process can expose and preserve production line signatures, such as factory date stamps, paint daubs, and inspector markings. In one case, a shop was able to remove 100% of the rust inhibitor coating applied in the 1970s in less than two hours, exposing original signatures. With traditional methods, this process would have taken months.
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Cleaning the wheel well of a classic car with dry ice blasting
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Removing coating from wheel well with dry ice cleaning
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Dry ice blasting car frame of classic BMW
Dealership and Service Center Cleaning
Luxury dealerships use dry ice cleaning for pre-delivery detailing, used vehicle reconditioning, and high-end service work.
Dry ice blasting thoroughly details undercarriages, wheels and wheel wells, pedals, brake components, and engine bays without disassembly. The process reduces service times while elevating vehicle presentation and demonstrating attention to detail that premium clients require.
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Cleaning undercarriage of a high-end car with dry ice blasting
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Detailing a wheel hub with dry ice cleaning
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Cleaning steering and suspension components with dry ice blasting
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Undercarriages
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Chassis
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Engine and engine bay
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Transmissions and drivetrains
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Suspension components
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Brake calipers and assemblies
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Wheel wells and fender liners
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Wheels
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Valve covers and oil caps
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Alternators and starters
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AC compressors
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Hydraulic hoses and fittings
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Electrical wiring and connectors
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Firewall areas
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Dashboard and instrument panels
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Interior consoles and trim
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Seats and upholstery
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Carpet and floor mats
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Headliners and hood pads
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Door panels and trim pieces
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Chrome trim and emblems
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Rubber seals and gaskets
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Plastic components and covers
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Tail lights
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Gauge assemblies
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Vintage instrumentation
What Do You Need to Establish a Successful Auto Detailing Business with Dry Ice Cleaning?
A complete dry ice cleaning configuration at your auto detailing facility relies on several key components:
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Dry Ice Cleaning Machine
A successful dry ice cleaning service at an auto detailing or auto restoration operation starts with a reliable and versatile dry ice cleaning machine. Cold Jet offers a complete range of dry ice blast cleaning machines, from entry-level models to advanced models featuring our patented Particle Control System (PCS®). This innovative technology gives you precise control over cleaning parameters and dry ice particle size, enabling everything from gentle cleaning of delicate chrome and painted finishes to aggressive removal of heavy undercarriage buildup. Each system includes a blast hose, air hose, an applicator, and nozzles optimized for auto detailing.
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Compressed Air
Dry ice cleaning requires compressed air from shop compressor systems. Cold Jet recommends a 15-30 HP rotary screw compressor with air treatment, such as drying or after-cooling. Operating volumes range from 50 CFM to 130 CFM based on application and nozzle selection. Operating pressures can range from 20 PSI to 250 PSI. If your shop air compressor does not have an air dryer, a Cold Jet After Cooler is recommended to ensure dry air.
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Dry Ice Supply
A reliable supply of dry ice is essential for consistent operation. Cold Jet can help you identify local dry ice suppliers and recommend appropriate ordering quantities based on your anticipated usage. For high-volume operations, on-site dry ice production may be economical for your business.
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Nozzles and Accessories
Cold Jet offers an extensive selection of specialized nozzles, applicators, and accessories. From fan nozzles for large surface cleaning to precision nozzles for intricate engine components and hard-to-reach engine bay areas, we’ll help you configure the perfect setup for your specific needs. Multiple nozzle options ensure you can address every auto detailing challenge effectively.
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Car Lift
A quality car lift is essential for effective undercarriage cleaning with dry ice blasting. A lift improves operator safety and efficiency while allowing systematic cleaning of the entire underbody—transforming undercarriage detailing with dry ice cleaning into a competitive differentiator for shops serving high-end clientele.
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Machine and Operator Training
Proper training ensures your team operates dry ice cleaning equipment safely and effectively. Cold Jet provides comprehensive training covering equipment operation, safety protocols, maintenance, and cleaning techniques.
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Operators should wear appropriate safety gear including insulated gloves, hearing protection, and safety glasses during all dry ice blasting operations. Proper PPE ensures safe, comfortable operation throughout extended cleaning sessions.
What Is the Best Dry Ice Cleaning Machine for Auto Detailing and Restoration?
Cold Jet provides a full range of dry ice cleaning machines for automotive detailing and restoration applications. Our systems deliver precise control, exceptional reliability, and the versatility needed to safely clean all types of components on classic and modern vehicles.
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IceRocket PLT
The Cold Jet IceRocket PLT is the premier entry-level model specifically engineered for professional auto detailing shops and exotic car detailing specialists. This user-friendly machine offers a simplified, high-performance solution for tasks like dry ice engine cleaning and undercarriage detailing. Its compact, lightweight design allows for effortless maneuverability around lifts and tight shop spaces, making it the perfect starting point for businesses looking to offer high-end auto detailing services and vehicle underbody restoration.
IceRocket Dry Ice Blaster -
Aero 40FP
The Cold Jet Aero 40FP delivers professional-grade detailing performance in a compact, maneuverable package designed for automotive detailing and restoration operations. This reliable machine excels at engine bay detailing, undercarriage cleaning, and classic car frame restoration where consistent power and portability are essential. The Aero 40’s proven design handles diverse automotive cleaning challenges, while its straightforward controls ensure operators can quickly master the equipment. Ideal for established detailing shops and restoration businesses seeking a dependable workhorse that delivers results without complexity.
Aero® 40FP -
Aero2 PCS® ULTRA
The Aero2 PCS ULTRA is the premium choice for professional auto detailing and classic car restoration services. This highly versatile machine features our advanced Particle Control System that provides precise control over dry ice particle size—from ultra-gentle MicroParticle cleaning for chrome, delicate trim, and painted surfaces to more aggressive cleaning for heavy undercarriage buildup. The mobile design positions easily around vehicles in the shop. IoT connectivity enables performance monitoring and optimization. This machine is the ideal solution for shops serving high-end clients and demanding complete vehicle restoration projects.
Aero2 PCS® ULTRA
Why Choose Cold Jet Dry Ice Cleaning Machines for Auto Detailing?
Don’t risk your reputation or your ROI on low-quality, budget machines that fail under the demands of a daily shop environment. When building a dry ice auto detailing business, you need a professional-grade solution that won’t clog, freeze up, or deliver inconsistent results. Cold Jet offers the most reliable range of dry ice cleaning equipment, backed by unmatched service and support.
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Auto Detailing and Restoration Expertise
With extensive experience serving automotive detailers, restoration shops, collectors, and dealerships worldwide, Cold Jet has developed an unparalleled understanding of the unique cleaning challenges and quality standards.
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Trusted by Automotive Professionals Worldwide
With over 24,000 dry ice cleaning machines installed globally, including at auto restoration shops, high-end detailers, museums, and specialty dealerships, Cold Jet is the proven leader in dry ice cleaning for auto detailing. Professional restorers, award-winning collectors, and demanding detailers rely on Cold Jet equipment to deliver exceptional results.
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Industry-Leading Reliability
Cold Jet dry ice cleaning machines are engineered for demanding industrial environments. When you invest in Cold Jet, you’re choosing equipment that will serve your business reliably for years while competitors’ machines often fail prematurely.
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More Efficient and Powerful Blasters
Cold Jet equipment uses significantly less dry ice, compressed air, and electricity than competitor machines. Experts have found that compared to competitors, Cold Jet dry ice cleaning provides far more production with the same dry ice and compressed air consumption. Lower consumption directly reduces your operating costs per job without compromising cleaning quality, speed, or safety—delivering substantial long-term savings.
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Unmatched Support
While other manufacturers simply sell equipment, Cold Jet provides ongoing service and support that competitors cannot match. We offer a dedicated network of regional technicians that can provide personal installation and training, on-site maintenance, remote repair guidance, and annual preventative maintenance visits. Our global support infrastructure ensures your business never faces the costly downtime or lack of guidance common with budget brands.
OUR CUSTOMERS & WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT US
Auto detailing professionals around the world rely on Cold Jet
With a global install base of 24,000+ serving operations from individual collectors to professional detailing shops to luxury dealerships, Cold Jet delivers proven dry ice auto detailing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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