erok72

There is an awful lot of black plastic under the TL's hood and I just wanted to find out what everyone is using to keep it looking good.

Is the same product that protects my dash safe to use?

Thanks for the advice!!!

DarkWraith33

I use 303 on the dash... But prefer to use Lexol Vinylex under the hood because it's a lil cheaper, easier to get for me, and I don't mind the little bit of extra gloss under the hood (whereas I don't want that on the dash.)

I use the Lexol for all the door gaskets as well...

Hope this helps...

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

303 is great for underhood stuff. It tends to not attract as much dust as the other dressings.

ndx2

mine's a little under 2 months old, and thus it's still spotless under the hood. do you guys use the cleaning products on the plastics because they're getting dirty, or just cuz you have OCD?

crazymjb

How does the engine look with all that plastic removed, I would love to see some pics. While it looks nice with the plastic on, I think it is easier to show off when it is exposed. Does the plastic serve any more then just and astetic purpose?

rbf351

the reason Acura put it there is to hide everything, with it off it looks like a complete mess, i took mine off the other day to clean them up

pretty much it looks like this
yes i know thats not an 04-05 TL

ndx2

looks like a 2G CL... i bet 3G TL looks a bit messier. but that's pretty clean compared to a lot of other cars.

@ familycar.com

kona

Another option is to paint it.

berzerker

I use the CD-2 engine detailing spray on my wifes Pathfinder and on my TL's plastic engine bay bits. Works great. I'm not sure that you should use the same stuff under your hood that you put on your dash - I think some of that stuff might be flammable or not really right for the extremem heat of an engine bay. Check out this link - he gives some good detailing tips - but also shows you about CD-2 spray.

BTW - I use 303 on my dash for a nice matte finish, but CD-2 under the hood.


http://eliterides.com/index.php?opti...136&Itemid=125

Thorin78

Ask and ye shall receive, I dug this up from a really old thread

JoganJani

My vote goes to 303.

markdesign

I been spraying down the engine with a water hose on all the cars i've owned.

Just avoide the battery and the alternator,

then wipe with a rag.

best thing, since it gets all the gaps and places you cant reach.



~mark

crazymjb

Id still watch out when spraying the engine with water. Only because of all the other electronics, PGM-DI, spark coils, etc.

kosh2258

Painting is one choice, but if you want to retain the black finish but give it a little character you can also clear coat the covers too.

I did this with the engine top cover.

After removing the cover from the engine and cleaning it up, I layed on several (like 4 or 5 I believe) misted coats of Krylon Clear Acrylic finish. It left this nice satin textured finish with just bit of gloss on the plastic and makes it easy to clean up with a damp cloth.

I've waited to do the other pieces to see how this one piece would hold up and so far, so good. So I'll be doing the rest of the covers this summer.

The trick is to be patient, wait about 5 minutes between coats and mist it on at a distance - hold the can 8 to 12 inches away and keep the can moving in nice, even strokes.

kona

kosh... maybe a dumb question, but will the acrylic coating pose a fire hazard?

crazymjb

Probably not once its dry. I would assume by the time it posed a fire hazaerd the plastic would be melting. I have seen manifolds glow, do the TLs get that hot, or is that only with the side exit manifolds, not ones forged along with the intake. Is it special plastic that is high heat rated for the dressing?

JetJock

I use Aerospace 303 on everything under the hood with great results. That stuff is great and doesn't seem to collect dirt like some other products.

HEK

I've used some Simple Green to clean the plastic and it works just fine, but one thing i never would have thought of it 's painting it...what type paint wil adhere to the plastic like this one??..

crazymjb

Haha, simple green. We have galllons of that pure stuff downstairs, my dad loves it, my mom hates it. Can plastic be chromed?(well, i know it can, but at home?)

kosh2258

Not any more so than any other spray on finish that uses VOC's as the carrier. Once the VOC's have evaporated out, the hazard is gone. The coating will be no more a fire hazard than the plastic itself. After all, acrylic is a form of plastic.

Keep in mind I said I removed the cover from the engine to spray it. And, of course, you should always use any kind of paints, solvents, etc. in a well ventilated area.

kona

kosh, thanks for the explanation.

I'm not sure what paint was used, possibly Rustoleum red engine enamel. Click here for more information

JoganJani

Here is a nice article about cleaning your engine bay and procedure.

http://articles.autopia.org/index.ph..._v2&id=30&c=21

JetJock

WOW.....That engine looks AWESOME!!!!!

HEK

Thanks for the link, I just PM'd the owner and hope to get the details, I like the idea but I would go with a milano red if I was going to do a paint job....thanks...