Emergency automotive fire damage for McLaren 650S
Project overview
The client is a regular customer and high-performance vehicle owner who relies on us for specialist dry ice blasting services. In this instance, they required an urgent call-out following a fire incident involving their McLaren 650S.
The challenge
The vehicle suffered an engine bay fire, which was successfully extinguished using powder fire extinguishers. While effective at stopping the fire, powder extinguishers create significant secondary issues:
- Fine powder contamination throughout the engine bay
- Residue embedded in mechanical, electrical, and cooling components
- Corrosive properties that can cause long-term damage if not removed
- Fire-affected areas obscured, preventing accurate damage assessment
The priority was to safely remove all powder residue and fire contamination to reveal the true extent of damage and allow repairs to begin immediately.
The solution: emergency dry ice blasting
Dry ice blasting was chosen due to its non-abrasive, moisture-free properties and its ability to clean complex, sensitive automotive components. The process allowed us to:
- Remove powder extinguisher residue from the engine, gearbox, and engine bay
- Clean soot, light charring, and fire-related contamination
- Avoid water or chemicals that could worsen corrosion or electrical damage
- Access tight areas without dismantling major components
Dry ice sublimates on impact, leaving no secondary waste—critical in an emergency repair scenario.
Emergency call-out & implementation
- Rapid response to minimise ongoing corrosion risk
- Dry ice blasting of the engine, gearbox, and full engine bay
- Targeted cleaning of fire-affected zones
- Controlled process to protect wiring looms, sensors, and finishes
The cleaning process exposed previously hidden areas, allowing technicians to assess damage accurately.
Results
- Complete removal of powder extinguisher residue
- Fire damage areas clearly revealed for inspection
- No additional moisture or abrasive damage introduced
- Significantly reduced preparation time for repair teams
- Vehicle ready for mechanical and electrical repairs without delay
Client outcome
Dry ice blasting enabled the client’s repair specialists to quickly identify and address fire-related damage, reducing downtime and preventing secondary corrosion issues commonly caused by fire extinguisher powder.
Why dry ice blasting for fire damage cleaning?
- Safe for engines, gearboxes, and electrical systems
- Removes powder, soot, and residue effectively
- No water, chemicals, or secondary waste
- Ideal for urgent, high-value vehicle recovery
- Preserves components during critical post-incident work
Why dry ice blasting for fire damage cleaning?
In this emergency situation, dry ice blasting proved to be the fastest and safest method to clean fire extinguisher residue from a high-performance vehicle. For this McLaren 650S, it allowed accurate damage assessment and immediate repair work—protecting both the vehicle and the client’s investment.