Under the hood beautification
 

Currently, the underside of my hood looks like this:
Side shot under the hood
Straight on shot under the hood

It looks a bit like a rats nest, and while it's impressive when it's running I do plan on going to a couple car shows, since my father goes to them and it would be a fun thing to do with him. I don't want to have my car sitting there with the hood closed, because people would think I was just bringing a production car to a car show, but I don't want the current mish-mash of colors and such to be sitting there, glaring to the world.

The plastic covers no longer fit in the car due to the turbo and relocated battery and such, so painting those isn't an option. The car is Brilliant Black, with the black/red leather interior - so that's the color theme I'd prefer to have under the hood. Does anybody have any recommendations on what I could do to get the engine bay to look as sharp as the rest of the car?

Both those links point to the same pic......

S

Fixed. Thanks Stealth.

Powercoat the piping.

I did mine in a glossy black:

https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...94&postcount=4

You can coat your turbo, and also coat the engine, the alternator, etc.

A good wash and water based dressing on plastics/hoses? :)

Thanks for the recommendations... what type of place would do the powder coating, and how much am I looking at to have it done?

Also, what's one of the better (even if its more time consuming) ways to clean the engine bay? I blew the engine, so most parts are coming out... should I just clean everything one at a time as its out, before it goes back in?

SayNoToPistons - what's an example of a dressing I could use for the plastics & hoses?

Finally - Is there a battery cover that I might be able to use from somewhere? The OEM cover probably won't work, it really only covers the top. I really don't like that thing just sticking out like it does... MySql - you mentioned in that post you linked to me that you were going to use a battery cover, what did you go with?

id say a petite supercharger will make it pretty

Rotary resurrection from this forum did my powder coating. Price was quite reasonable. PM him for details.


I just wipe with a damp cloth. I like Mother's Back to Black for plastics.


OEM, just cut up a bit to allow for my wires on the side.


uhh, that's a step backwards, and you misspelled Pettit.

I use Meguair's Hyper Dressing for myself and all my customers cars. It's not slippery and oily like Armor All and it doesn't dry out plastic like Armor All. I brought about 1/2 a quart from my friend. It's meant to be diluted with water (the more diluted it is, the less shininess, the less diluted the more shininess).

http://www.meguiars.com/?detailer-dr...Hyper-Dressing

A gallon will last you a looooooong time. I can probably dress 10 cars with 1/2 a quart of this stuff diluted to different levels. Can be used on tires, moldings, engine bay, etc. I dilute it 4-5 parts water and 1 part solution because i like that brand new matte finish.

Now i sound like a TV ad :( .

I suggest hitting up www.autopia.org . Keeping your car clean can go a long way.

It looks like you are using the stock battery tray, so I don't know why the cover wouldn't fit.

Pull off the BOV and paint Red
Paint the Sheet metal black.

If the Batt cover doesn't work make one and paint it black.

strut bar

https://www.rx8club.com/violations-53/mazdaspeed-strut-bar-new-%24250-139913/

fancy battery

i was going to say what razz said, paint the bov red. and also i would lose the yellow oil cap and put something shineyyyy. i got http://www.rotary13b1.com/oil_filler_caps.html on mine and it looks great!

haha im pretty confident its a full sized s/c

:::::::uhh, that's a step backwards, and you misspelled Pettit.:::::

I'm a great speller... just a bad typer .... really really bad one! its not my fault... my fingers are big and my keys are small :(:(:(

To clean the engine get the car warm but not hot, then cover the stuff that shouldnt get doused with a hose like the alternator, battery terminal and stuff like that. spray the engine with a garden hose with no nozzle. DO NOT USE A PRESSURE WASHER. after everything is rinsed good then spray with some Meguiars super degreaser and let it sit for a little bit. agitate very dirty sections with a brush. then rinse it all off with the open ended hose again. finally dress with meguiars hyperdressing, as per say no to pistons suggestions, or use similar products like meguiars #40, Black Wow, etc.