Belt dressing is crap

[Kibokojoe]

Last week after the hose on the radiator came loose (I won't go into it... that's another story) the power steering belt began to squeak. I used some Prestone belt dressing and that made it worse. Found out from my mechanic friend that belt dressing is crap. He told me to clean the belt with brake cleaner with the engine running and then apply polishing compound to the belt in several places (engine off of course ;)) Worked like a champ. I have pitched the belt dressing. Lesson learned.

[russiankid]

You should just get a new belt.

[Ross]

The slipping was likely from coolant which is sooo slippery.
I can't believe belt dressing is still sold. Excellent advice your mechanic gave you, to which I would add; Check the tension of your belts too. I think they were probably a bit loose to start with.

[Tiger]

All purpose cleaner is all you need to clean that belt... Brake cleaner will eat your belt and leave you stranded by the side of the road then the belt finally let go.

[ArnZ!]

while we are on the topic of belts, what sizes are the three main belts for a 1988 535i?

as im gonna need to replace mine soonish.