imported_evilwrx
New member
Last summer I cleaned and 'protected' the engine bay in my 2002 WRX, the car had around 55k on it. At that point the engine compartment looked cleaner than most demo cars on a dealers lot - very VERY clean and tidy, mostly like new with a bit of dust. I simply wiped it down with damp microfiber cloth with each wash and used Aero303 once a year on the plastic and rubber.
For the detail I used P21S Total Auto Wash as instructed, then applied Sonus Trim & Motor Kote and instantly hated the results. The rubber and plastic pieces looked faded and worn after cleaning, like an old unkept car. The trim & motor kote left a built up looking finish and was very tacky after drying.
Fast forward to this spring (or winter when the weather broke enough to look under the hood)...it looks like an incredible POS now - old, weathered, abused, poorly maintained. Dry rot looking rubber, faded and pathetic plastic, pitted and disgusting aluminum, and the paint under hood (which had NO Total Wash or Trim Kote applied) is stained. Hoses, lies, and fittings now look like I never cared the care, no - they look like I abused the car. Everything still feels a bit tacky and holds dirt and grime better than a new sweater holds cat hair.
What went wrong???? I guess the factory coatings should just be left alone.
I am so incredibly disappointed with myself. I've cared for this car to the point it strained personal relationships, seriously, and now it's become a turd because I thought I was doing something to make it better and failed.
Short of replacing garbage looking components, is there anything I can do to salvage the appearance and protection of my engine bay?????? :soscared:
For the detail I used P21S Total Auto Wash as instructed, then applied Sonus Trim & Motor Kote and instantly hated the results. The rubber and plastic pieces looked faded and worn after cleaning, like an old unkept car. The trim & motor kote left a built up looking finish and was very tacky after drying.
Fast forward to this spring (or winter when the weather broke enough to look under the hood)...it looks like an incredible POS now - old, weathered, abused, poorly maintained. Dry rot looking rubber, faded and pathetic plastic, pitted and disgusting aluminum, and the paint under hood (which had NO Total Wash or Trim Kote applied) is stained. Hoses, lies, and fittings now look like I never cared the care, no - they look like I abused the car. Everything still feels a bit tacky and holds dirt and grime better than a new sweater holds cat hair.
What went wrong???? I guess the factory coatings should just be left alone.
I am so incredibly disappointed with myself. I've cared for this car to the point it strained personal relationships, seriously, and now it's become a turd because I thought I was doing something to make it better and failed.
Short of replacing garbage looking components, is there anything I can do to salvage the appearance and protection of my engine bay?????? :soscared:
) and then used various products like 303, metal polishes, AIO, BF, 476S...whatever seemed like the right product for the component in question. I then did a quickie wipe/etc. at every wash and things stayed nice for a long, long time.
