Polishing a "TuRD"

Nice clean up everyone!

Nice gift wrap above as well lol

 

The flares look awesome and the Christmas paper is pretty funny. PO had my truck detailed before he put it up for sale and I don’t know what the detailer put on the flares but it’s blotchy and won’t come off with dawn or Mr Clean magic eraser sponge and the overspray was a bitch to get off the finish. I’m going remove mine to “operate” on them.

 

Wow jammer, just wow bud. Your skills are simply just amazing! I'm so impressed at how incredible all the aluminum parts look under the hood and how nice the black plastic parts look as well. I definitely would like to pick your brain or see what suggestions you have for a few parts I have that need to be restored if you dont mind. Well I was planning on painting the intakes and valve covers but do you think that they could be restored by polishing? Even if they are only half as nice as yours would be amazing. And also have you used that trim restorer paint on the engine bay plastics? Im considering just painting everything thats black and plastic under the hood and flares and the wiper cowl plastic if I can get it all to turn out as nice as your fender flares did. Another question is how has the trim paint held up over time? Any suggestions would be super appreciated. Pics included of what the parts currently look like right now.

 

Hey Brandon, Appreciate the kind words. Much Appreciated. Wish you were nearby so we could tackle the headers and valve covers together!
I hope the below information helps. A lot of this requires using one thing and if that doesn't work go to something else. Keep us posted on the progress!!

Intake and Valve Covers
As for your intakes and valve covers, they look like they have been exposed to salt spray? I ask because the Tacoma a friend of mine purchased from the northeast part of the country looked similar. Lots of salt spray corrosion.
I don't think polishing alone would remove that without first taking something aggressive to remove the scaling, etc. on top. If it were mine, I'd first start with good ol S.O.S pads that can be purchased at any local grocery store. I feel that would at least get the grime off that's embedded on top.
The dremel abrasive wheels I have linked below work great on removing what show above. I'd definitely get the lower grit (more aggressive) for your application.
I'd also try a brass wire wheel.

Engine Bay Plastics and Rubber Hoses
For the engine bay plastics and rubber hoses, I've only used 303 aerospace protectant. I wouldn't paint the rubber hoses.
**What's an example of the plastic you would paint under the hood??

Plastic Flares and Wiper Cowl & How It's Held Up Over Time
Brandon I kinda hate advising on what paint to use because I know everyone has their favorite or what has been a good experience for one member was a horrible experience for me. So, I'll tell you what's worked for me. What everyone agrees on is the amount of preparation makes the difference. One thing I will strongly advise when painting plastic or vinyl is a adhesion promoter.
I used the SEM products below to restore the window cowl, and lower trim below the bumper.
My prep is washing them with dawn dishwasher soap, and rubbing down with isopropyl alcohol. If needed rub down with a tack cloth before spraying.

SEM 39863 Plastic Adhesion Promoter
SEM 39143 Trim Black Aerosol
or
Eastwood Plastic Resurfacer Matte Black Aerosol (only available in Matte Black)

The SEM Trim Black and Eastwood's have held up great. I repainted the wiper cowl with the SEM Trim Black a little over two years ago, and it still looks new. No flaking of paint, etc.
I used the Eastwood Plastic Resurfacer on the wheel flares at the beginning of the year, and so far, no issues.





The abrasive buffing wheels don't last long, but they do an excellent job of removing rust from bolt heads, bolt threads, and for getting in small areas to remove debris, etc. I now only order the green ones. For me they work the best.
Tip: Use the low or med speed on your dremel for these or they don't last but about 15 seconds!



$12 Rocaris 40 Pack 1" Abrasive Wheel Buffing Polishing Wheel Set For Dremel Rotary Tool - 25mm
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075C72PG...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

 

@GQ7227
@SwampYota

Look what came in today. My replacement 2” polishing pads!!
“I will hug him, and pet him, and squeeze him and call him George”

Going to do some serious shining where the trans meets the engine to show off that big stamped “VZ”

 

i can only 'hope' to get around to any or all of this someday down the road

 

J A Y, you may think I'm full of but if you were nearby I'd help you out man.
I'd shoot you a text ......Regulators, mount up!

 

Almost time to change the oil/filter so I’ll have better access to the bottom end of the motor.
That’ll be my next polish project.

 

@jammer That is amazing! Love it

And I get made fun of by my brother for cleaning the dirt off of the frame with a rag.

 

That’s awesome!

 

Cleaned/Polished one of the muffler brackets today. Afterwards I used Eastwood Diamond Clear (for bare metal and paint) to help prolong the shine. I’ve used this on a couple of projects and had good luck with it.
I’ll post the bracket reinstalled tomorrow after letting the clear dry over night.
Bracket secured with two 12mm bolts










Ready to be sprayed

 

i spent nearly 20 hours under and near that area on my truck since June and never entered my head to do that lol
guess i was shot from the heat and all the safety gear i had to wear with sand in my hair, nose, mouth, teeth, eyes, etc.

 

That trick with the box and the screws is genius!

 

Applied a dap of copper anti seize to the bolt threads and reinstalled.

 

jammer, i don't think your truck has had ANY snowy & sloppy fun!! on the wintery streets of Des Moines, KC, Chicago like mine has had over the decades
nowhere can i see any peeling frame coating like i found on mine under there and have spent bigtime manhours replacing it and still working on it slowly
especially on that crossmember

 

J A Y man, it gets driven in the rain...does that count?

 

Only if it is salty snow melt.

 

Took about 30min to polish the shiny part of the inside knuckle (spindle?). Shined up the top part of the steering rack while I was there.

 

Removed the back skid plate to better access some areas I wanted to get cleaned up. It was getting dark so I’ll post some more pics tomorrow.