Is the "primary wire" sold at HF and auto parts store good enough?

.... for most wiring projects inside and outside the hood?

 

Really depends, is this for stereo stuff? (In that case no I would get actual speaker wire) and do you know your draw requirements? (Amps/volts/current/distance etc?)



For something non critical like lights or something probably, for something like an air compressor or higher draw things I would get better wire like welding ground wire, it's less about the conductor and more about the resistance and durability and flexibility of the insulation jacket.

In the very least you should be using something that's resistant to oil.

I find the softer rubber wire insulation tends to last longer with less abrasion or stiffening and cracking than the more shiny plasticy insulation.

 

General rewiring of existing harness. No special use (speakers, comp, etc).

 

Most of the wiring that HF and auto parts stores sell has pretty crappy insulation, if your redoing factory wiring either find some oil and heat resistant wire or go to a pick-n-pull and chop off some harnesses to cannibalize wire and connectors from.

 

I frequently do exactly that, whenever I go to the Pick-n-Pull for anything I usually find some wiring harnesses and cut myself off a big chunk try and get plugs and connections and pens and whatnot as well and I've reused a lot of those to great success it even allows me to match factory trace and mark indicators so everything stays clean and easily identifiable.

 

SXL is good to use. HF probably not the fellow you trust for that application.

 

Ive been running gxl from wirebarn for years and it’s been good. Really any automotive grade wire from a reputable electric supplier is fine. I don’t go with questionable suppliers or people who don’t list specs mainly because the specs may be total bs, they skimp on the conductor (not actually the awg they specify) or don’t specify if it’s actually copper vs copper clad aluminum, etc.