Picking up my new car (2002 WRX) and will be cleaning up the engine bay.

Can anyone recommend the best way / best products to clean to the standard intercooler as it's looking a bit dull at the mo

Cheers

 

The alloy fins are easily damaged. A damp cloth is all I do to mine. Avoid a prressure washer on it at all costs.

 

I quote again. THE FIN ARE EASILY DAMAGED. They are paper thin. Try and bend one in the corner and you'll see for yourself. Extremely fragile..

 

would NEVER even consider pressure washer :-)

just elbow grease then - does anyone know if metal polish will 'bling' up the alloy on it? By this I mean the surround not the fins

 

Autosol?

 

I was cleaning my new intercooler the other day, (Not the fins though ) , when the alloy surround oxidises the surface becomes pitted. I used a flat pot scourer, from any supermarket, dampen, then scrub with the rough side, you will be surprised how filthy it is, use this till its smooth, keep using the sponge side or kitchen roll to wipe of the grey sludge. Looks much better I was actually thinking of painting the under side surround and the inlet pipes with some heat resistant paint to stop some heat soak. Has anyone else done this? Is it worth while?..................Just the surround, not the fins.

I haven't fitted it by the way, much easier to clean. LOL

 

If you bend the fins you can straighten them with 2 wooden cocktail sticks these wont damage the fins
Col