If the braided stuff looses it's finish fairly quickly i'll just get radaitor hose and put tire shine on it as you said. I will be fitting my engine with the most chrome possible, Valve covers, intake, headers and the air cleaner ( I'm getting one that has the 3 butterflyies and goes through a hole in the hood ). If your wondering where I am getting the Intake and V covers It is at www.motorchrome.com