engine bay detailing

[xr8 007]

hey all!!

just wondering what everyone here use to shine the plastic bits (air box,power steering pump cover, on a AU) inside the engine bay!! i used a few things but they dont come out the same as it did when i bought the car!!! any suggestions

[347Stroker]

Mate, the Meguires tyre shine is pretty good, the stuff you spray on the tyres....

[cArSiK]

i use silicone spray , it works well and lasts a while...

James

[MITCHAY]

i use armourguard. comes up a treat in my opinion

[professorsabre]

I use 303 protectant, has a great shine and also lasts a while. Avail at Autobahn.



Cheers

[b2tf]

The meguiars is very good stuff. Dont use Armorall.

[smciner1]

I just use Armorall on the Black Plastic bits on the Engine bay of my XR6.

[MrQuan]

Originally Posted by back2thefutura

Dont use Armorall.

Why wouldn't you use Armourall? :

[xr8 007]

silicone sounds preety good,,,what brand is is it (CRC,etc). and where is it available! oh a part number would be wonderfull!!ehehehehhe

[galaxy xr8]

I use Auto glym's plastic cleaner/shine, it's great stuff.

[LTDHO]

Silicone usually attracts dust.

I've used armorall abit, but usually a spray on tyre shine.

[xceler8shun]

I use Meguires or 303, it clean them down first with fine grade steelwool and soapy water or degreaser

[neb]

i just use spray tyre shine... seems to work good

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by MrQuan

Why wouldn't you use Armourall? :

It works like cooking oil on your plastic, soaks in, looks good for a while but you end up needing more and more a lot more often too.

[Racecraft]

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

i use armourguard. comes up a treat in my opinion

amourguard hahahaha.. i think they guard banks, or do you mean the insect repellant. ??

I use silicon spray for what it is worth

[outside]

Originally Posted by cArSiK

i use silicone spray , it works well and lasts a while...

James

i was told a long time ago not to use silicone as it can get into the electrical plugs and course them to corrode.

[niko]

tyre shine is best and easiest way to make ya engine bay look shmick

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by Racecraft

amourguard hahahaha.. i think they guard banks ??

I tried it, and it was good cos when i got it it came with lots of money. Didnt stay shiny for very long tho.

[BJ]

What none of you have tryed YUKOFF. This stuff is just for plastics last for months, doe not gather dust is cheap can be used on your tyres, bumpers the lot comes in an aresol.You can pick it up from Big W for about $6 or & dolars a can. Or from super ceap for around the same price. Try it you will like it.

[347Stroker]

The problem with Armorall is that if used on dashboards, it eventually causes cracking. I remember reading a comparison with Armorall and 303 protectant.
The difference between 303 and armorall was that significant, I can remember walking to the shed and throwing my armorall in the bin.
I remember even being told some stats by Terry Hardiman who owns the Redline brand stuff, and was just as amazed. If you called Terry at Hardiman Auto Supplies in Milperra, Sydney, I bet he would still remember it all, and you will never use armorall again.

[MITCHAY]

i use armourguard or armourall (wateva its called) and dont have to reapply for ages. use it on my bumbers and dash aswell and its still no where near cracking. its an 89 model and the dash is just as new. very interesting though.

[wulos]

* nb - This post contains personal opinions & is not meant to be the be all to end all argument!*

Originally Posted by MrQuan

Why wouldn't you use Armourall? :

Armourall is basically just a form of tarted up soluble oil. What this means is it's possible to dilute it with water. Great - so whats the problem I hear people ask. Well being water soluble it wants to get its moisture from somewhere, & the place it gets it from is the part it's coating. It leeches the moisture(or LIFE) out of the bits its meant to protect. This is fine as long as you're constantly applying it, but if you get lazy(& lets face it who doesn't every now & then) you WILL PAY the price!!!

Originally Posted by outside

i was told a long time ago not to use silicone as it can get into the electrical plugs and course them to corrode.

silicone is a quite effective insulator. If sprayed into electrical connectors can perhaps cause a high resistance connection (poor joint that won't pass current through), but not actually cause corrosion as such.
For what it's worth, over the years I've tried a million & one different products, home remedies etc. I now use silicone spray on almost all underbonnet areas, sure it attracts dust(as does just about everything else) but dust is easy enough wiped off. Perhaps the only real issue with it is being careful to get it only where its needed.

[xr8 007]

thanks again 4 the replies,,great read!! i've have heard a fair few complaints about armourall! i still use it like a D#@k though!

What should i be using to shine and protect if i dont use armourall then??

[santoitaliano]

what about for exterior plastics... e.g. window trim and side mirror trims?

cheers,

[347Stroker]

Read the post

That 303 is great sh*t!!!!

[LOWAU]

I use Back to black- I think its made by Meguires

Its a polish for black plastic and vynil, i use it in the engine bay as well as the outside (mirrors and side mouldings) It works a treat.

[SVR73]

303 is good no doubt but not at the top of the tree however not everyone wants top of the line
For exterior trims I can't go past
Clearkote Vanilla moose
Autoglym bodyshop 07b plastic and rubber cleaner (works on vinyl too)
Black diamond tire gel (super polymer tire sealant)
Protectant plus.

With AU door trims (at the top of door) the best thing I can suggest is painting them
As soon as they get water on them from washing your car, they go brown and spotty
The moose takes it straight off. I have had to mask mine each wash with duct tape to stop it.
It's just something in the material FORD used that causes this.
Forever black left streaks, it only works on untreated, naked plastic and rubber