[::CMS::]

Originally Posted by sunny13

free coupon on "engine coating". Can you suggest if this is worth it even if it free.

I dont suggest any coating, reasons being:

- It looks like some glossy varnish applied on the parts, a glossy look, which is far from natural colors or texture of the parts

- It looks horrible after 1 year or due to heat unless you apply it again and you will literally bang your head on seeing the finish of the coating, I had one picture from a figo owner (Let me check.) and it was horrible to remove it from all those tiny spots.

I prefer the natural colors of the materials and it can be easily restored to its factory condition by using a good APC and a dresser for protection or longevity of the finish. see the detailing section in this forum or other detailing forums.

Note : Engine / any electrical points never need any coating to make it waterproof as they have enough covering at the contact points, the connectors are designed like that. Rest of the things are capable of normal flashes of water and no coating will give any extra protection esp alternator or similar parts. Also never ever think that you can pressure wash the engine bay due to this coating.

[sumeshmani]

Hi, could you please share more info on engine bay cleaning. I dont want to pressure wash engine bay. But a lot of dust and grime gets settled in.

[::CMS::]

Originally Posted by sumeshmani

Hi, could you please share more info on engine bay cleaning. I dont want to pressure wash engine bay. But a lot of dust and grime gets settled in.

You should never pressure wash the engine bay, but can be done at less pressure (wide spread setting at the nozzle), If you are not comfortable in using that way use the normal hose pressure head.

I usually
- Cover all the electrical parts with esp Alternator / Battery / ECU (its already water proof) and similar parts with plastic sheets
- Remove all loose dust using an air blower (can use vaccum cleaner)
- Apply a good layer of APC or any good liquid cleaner using a spray bottle
- Soak for 5-10 mins
- Agitate using a soft brush for stubborn stains
- Rinse with water and apply once more if required
- Once the engine bay is clean, apply any Rubber / Vinyl protection or sealant or a dashboard dresser and wipe the excess after a while and apply petroleum jelly on the battery terminals. The engine bay will look good as new.

[xjosephjacob]

Originally Posted by gurha

..they told me that there are two ducts which are purposefully left open, one in the front and one in the back, and if I want they will seal both of them so that no outside aur comes in, unless you switch to the outside air with the AC knob.

They charged me 3000 Rs. for that, 2000 for front and 1000 for back...

Interesting. Please can you find out what ducts did they seal, and why were they left open in the first place ?

[::CMS::]

Originally Posted by anilntny

My original plan was to swap the whole kit with duster's audio components. But Renault Kochi accessory shop sales adviser is warning me about warranty issues if I do so.

Warranty claims has nothing to do with accessory advisor. He is just trying to sell the products what they are offering. Ask the service manager.
You can go ahead with the Amp and sub installation and they wont make any issue in warranty unless you tamper the stock wiring. Get the wiring done by the professionals and the installation should not make any load to the existing wiring (power the amp directly from the battery and if you are using the existing HU trigger the amp using an external switch or using an adapter). They will have all the required components to do this kind of installation.

[amitk26]

Originally Posted by sumeshmani

Hi, could you please share more info on engine bay cleaning. I dont want to pressure wash engine bay. But a lot of dust and grime gets settled in.

Why don't you take to A.S.S for wash generally they do good engine bay cleaning I don't know about Renault but for Honda and Tata I have seen they do nice job which outside body wash shops skip.

[anilntny]

I contacted the car audio specialist I met two years back for his opinion.

He said to have worked on many Dusters and he is of opinion that Duster is having unconventional set up for doors.

So padding and damping are done on the Door pad itself as he had bitter experience on damping on door itself like loosening of door handle cables earlier .Also there will be only limited access to vital parts inside.

He suggested me NOT to use Focal and Morel speakers I had ,as both were 6.5 inch speakers. He said if I insisted , its possible as many are doing the same.

The disadvantages are ,needs to cut out the door pads ,frequent falling off of covering mesh/grill and protrusion of same to already compromised leg space near door pad.

I was fully convinced and asked him for suggestion. He suggested Rainbow Component for Front and coaxials in back. Component will cost 17000 Rs and coaxials will cost another 10000 Rs .Damping and Padding will cost 2500 Rs each .

He also pointed out the Duster's door pad is having a factory sealant, which needs to be replaced for perfect fitting.Cost of the same is included in 2500 Rs He is using butyl windscreen sealant for that purpose ,which comes in the form of roll.

I did not want to cross my budget of 15000 Rs. So asked him to swap only the front speakers and padding+damping of the front doors .He took back my existing audio components from previous car for 12000 Rs .I payed the rest .

Audio Experience after swapping is great ,stock speakers look like they don't even cost 500 Rs .Please see some pictures I took with my mobile phone camera, below.

Picture of the door pad with damping material wa taken before fully covering the area.Later almost whole area was covered.

[anilntny]

Originally Posted by gurha

During my recent trip to Sikkim in the start of the year I also faced a similar issue, where even though the AC was not running when there was someone driving in front of me in the muddy roads, there was enough amount of dust getting inside the car.

After coming back I went to the ASC, and they told me that there are two ducts which are purposefully left open, one in the front and one in the back, and if I want they will seal both of them so that no outside aur comes in, unless you switch to the outside air with the AC knob.

They charged me 3000 Rs. for that, 2000 for front and 1000 for back. And after that I couldn't feel any dust/smell getting inside the car, though I haven't been to muddy roads like the one I have been before, but I couldn't feel anything with my trip to Kanyakumari in May. May be you can try that.

Any idea about the location these ducts? Just to know ,if its possible to go for the Do It Yourself way and save 3000 Rs.

[gurha]

Originally Posted by xjosephjacob

Interesting. Please can you find out what ducts did they seal, and why were they left open in the first place ?

The SA told me that those are left open to get some air inside the car so that the car doesn't get bad smell from inside because of everything is closed.

Originally Posted by anilntny

Any idea about the location these ducts? Just to know ,if its possible to go for the Do It Yourself way and save 3000 Rs.

I'm sorry I couldn't ask the exact location of those ducts, but in case I'm driving near my ASC, I'll ask them and if possible take a picture.

[xjosephjacob]

@anilntny

I see some patterns on the driver side power window console. They look nice, and surely breaks the monotony. Are they aftermarket stickers or did they come preinstalled in your vehicle ?

[anilntny]

Originally Posted by xjosephjacob

@anilntny

I see some patterns on the driver side power window console. They look nice, and surely breaks the monotony. Are they aftermarket stickers or did they come preinstalled in your vehicle ?

That is vinyl sticker I purchased from a local shop.It must be available everywhere.All you have to do is just cut it out in shapes and stick it .It can be easily trimmed with a cutter blade.
You may try different patterns like matt silver or carbon fiber. Different patterns are available with these vinyl sticker cutting shops.

Adding some more pictures of vinyl sticker works done on my duster
Carbon fiber pattern on B pillars is again vinyl sticker.
But the one on my wheel arch claddings are original 3M carbon fiber pattern wrapping ,which is very expensive compared to vinyl sticker.

[xjosephjacob]

Originally Posted by anilntny

That is vinyl sticker I purchased from a local shop..

ah, the good ol' vinyl wraps. I always wanted to put them on by B & C pillars but then somehow I messed things up installing door visors in the first place . Vinyl on the wheel arches as well ? Mind posting an exterior pic of your car ?

[anilntny]

Originally Posted by xjosephjacob

ah, the good ol' vinyl wraps. I always wanted to put them on by B & C pillars but then somehow I messed things up installing door visors in the first place . Vinyl on the wheel arches as well ? Mind posting an exterior pic of your car ?

Sure Since its raining most of the time ,am yet to take a nice picture of my car .

[BUXX]

Originally Posted by anilntny

Any idea about the location these ducts? Just to know ,if its possible to go for the Do It Yourself way and save 3000 Rs.

To me this looks like it could solve another one of the prime issues with this car- that of the poor AC.

Can the OP confirm whether there was an improvement in the cooling levels after these ducts were blocked off?

[xjosephjacob]

Originally Posted by anilntny

Sure Since its raining most of the time ,am yet to take a nice picture of my car .

Thanks much. Looks nice. Why did you chose vinyl stickers over the original plastic/fiber fender flares ?

How much did they (Renault or aftermarket ?) charge you for the front Armour (bull bar) and those beefy plastic cladding's on the doors ?