Oldie2007 - The Little Big Red Readers Digest Renovation, Revival, and Restoration Thread.

Truck is looking GREAT Kurt!

 

Do Something (about the) Rash - Phase Twelve; Month Long Process of Overcoming the New Clear Coat Rash, and Improving my Fix!

This started just before Christmas - the cab work I had done was starting to show a little wear, and areas I had NOT done were sprouting rash down the windshield, the cab back, and the doors. Also, in getting some gouges out of the driver door, I had dulled it quite a bit. So, got with my friend at JR Auto Glass and Tint, and he made me a heck of a deal to take the cab down, and put an improved 3M clear coat over it. Then, he would block it out late January, because no oven. Patience, I have. February weather, another story, but I have enough to tell the tale!

So, I basically have my several shades of Impulse Red Pearl, but ONE level of "shiny"! He also popped a few dents out on the way, so maybe she's a 5' truck now! I kept putting this off, because I wanted to run a good detail process, but all the good days in February found me doing something else, or elsewhere. So, off we go anyway.

OK, what my fix was looking like in December, a year and change since the big $50 fix. You can pretty much see where my work stopped, because I didn't "blend" what is over most folks heads....(Literally, not figuratively!)







So, that's pretty much were we were. And I was liking Little Big Red all red and shiny, so off to the shop it went, and was home by Christmas, but COULD NOT WAX IT until he got it blocked at the end of January. So, like a Birthday present. So, I got it cleaned, and it rained, and it turned in to February! While not the full detail I wanted to get on, she's looking much more complete now! She'll be 12 in August this year, so that a pretty good recovery compared to many others I have seen.






Still not waxed, but I am happy, cleaning as I go. She got to go to a birthday party out at the lake! (You saw the Steps Phase)




Only shots I got post first wax, just before the SATX C&C got cancelled!

Look, you can see the car next to the truck!



OK, I got a little out of sequence because of time and weather, but I am a happy camper with how she looks. More front suspension updates (NOT MODS, calm down! ), and some electrical in the cab. Because...….

But wait, there's more!

 

Evening Kurt! Just creeping in here..

Brilliant idea going from barefoot to having socks and shoes on. Goes along perfectly with the bumper restoration, which turned out really nice

What did you do to polish it up like that?

 

Thanks for peeking. I appreciate it, because it's not like the other stories. Believe it or not, that is using Diet Coke on Aluminum foil, and dump and rub, and dump and rub.... Saved the bourbon for later. It comes back, but less every time. So this spring, I will be doing it a few more times. After the coke, chrome polish, and it lasts quite a while. And every treatment gets it closer to chrome.
I do have a problem, I quit Diet Coke for Ginger Ale, so I will just have to stash a bottle or two!

 

Is it the acid in the coke that cleans it up? Thats pretty interesting you use foil with it. Is it like a light abrasive?

 

Science! there is a word for the chemical process taking place, and it is escaping not only me, but smart wife!
The You Tube link is here on page one: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-and-restoration-thread.569377/#post-18761082

 

Looking good Kurt

For it being almost 12 years old it looks great!

 

She sure cleans up nice Kurt good work.

 

Awesome posts! I did a LOT of the same things to my 05. It was not pretty when I first bought it. Now I can't help but look back at it when I get off to go to the grocery store haha. I am going to try out that clear coat you used for the doors below the window seal. Got some pretty nasty cracking clear coat going on.

 

Thanks, and sorry I missed this. I was sorta sick Friday, then got better, and went out to get my front end stuff done for the NEXT phase. Riding like she looks! Still pretty stock looking, but that's all I want for now.
I love the Indigo, and you are in League City! Did you make the HTX meet Sat 3/2?

 

Thanks! And I am! Small world haha. And I didn’t know about the meet. I saw quite a few Tacos at Cars and Coffee though.

 

Cars & Coffee at the old Toys R Us? That's what I meant. You seen pictures?

 

I did see a couple on Facebook. I need to meet up with you guys sometime. Where can I find out about any meets or cruises going on in the area?

 

Give me a couple minutes, and I will get them to you!

 

@thatguymichael
First - here is the TTC Official thread. It's full of BS, and has all the links for any area C&C that gets reported in the group, also, those TTC and other events that may occur. Join up info on page 1, it's money WELL WASTED! CANNOT GO WRONG!

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ttc-☆-official.541185/page-3875#post-20008203
This is where we are today, and it moves fast! It's a lot of BS of course, but you will meet most everyone. The grand PoohBah of all this is @ChadsPride ! We love him adoringly!

Here is your local Houston thread. Strongly suggest you hook up locally as well. @beetlevegas was instrumental in pulling off the C&C and is a great guy to boot!
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ston-bs-thread.309119/page-7837#post-19971822

If that doesn't give you enough to do, after some time on TTC Official, you will find your new friends bouncing around on the ATX
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-and-were-good.411172/page-2853#post-19989521

And SATX;
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/san-antonio.139967/page-2758#post-20011990

But wait, there's more!
Two huge events upcoming! Jambo, and you HAVE to register:
https://www.lonestartoyotajamboree.com/register/

And there is the South Padre trip
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-meet-07-20-2019.589187/page-19#post-19990456

Now my links won't take you to the perfect page, but you can have fun and waste time all at the same time! Enjoy. Sorry it took so long!

 

I said League City, but I meant Texas City - oops, and oh well....

 

You’re awesome man. Thanks so much! Great information.

 

​

 

Wait no more! Coming tonight! Phase 13 suspension on the way!

 

So whats this phase 13 consist of?