What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

Yeah I went the cheap route considering the canopy was free. It already had a diy paint job done but it was blue and I wanted it silver. I was quoted $300 to $500 to get it done professionally and for that price I could wait and buy a used one that was already silver so I decided to hand bomb it with spray cans myself.

This is how I went about it:

- I researched painting fiberglass on the internet first for tips and procedures.

- Then I gave the canopy a good wash inside and out to clean it up a little and waited until it was completely dry.

- I sanded it down with a 300 grit sand paper, you could use a higher grit if the canopy is in good shape but the last owners paint job was an abortion and needed to be sanded quite a bit first. Then I used a higher grit sand paper 400 grit for a smoother finish, or you could even use 600 grit.

- Then I washed it again to clean all the debris away.

- Once it was dry I taped all the edges and used newspaper to cover all the windows, etc.

- Ensure you spray in a well ventilated area. Some days I painted in the drive way if the weather was nice and other days I sprayed inside the garage with the door open if the weather was poor. Use a mask. Don't paint outside if their is wind cause you'll waste a lot of paint.

- I used two cans of fill primer on it first and made some sanding adjustments after which using the primer brings defects out in the open prior to painting.

- Once it was all primed I used about a dozen cans of dupli colour perfect match premium automotive paint which duplicates the original toyota colour, check the code for correct colour on the inside of your door. Unless your just going black, the specific duplicate cans are a little more expensive but depends what finish your looking for.

- If time is an issue ensure you have everything once you start, I had to wait two weeks for more paint to come in on back order from canadian tire.

- When your painting start with regular movements starting slightly passed the canopy and slightly passing the end of the canopy for a better finish. They say paint 10'' to 18'' away from the object your painting to avoid runs, etc.

- I waited 24 hrs before applying two cans of dupli colour clear coat paint, I did two coats an hour apart and it all turned out fine. Its obviously not a professional job but it turned out fine and matches the truck colour perfect.

- I would do some research first, call around local body shops for professional quotes to see if you can get a deal and if not then read up on some forums on how to paint fibre glass first before attempting it yourself. I did and I think it helped. Good luck.

 

pretty much like rattle can painting anything. Its not hard Ben. Im telling you, you should do it.

http://www.automotivetouchup.com/

 

get a gallon and use hi density foam rollers, thats how im gonna paint my bumper at least, since i'll be painting it in my bedroom haha.

TSC paint + foam brush ftw!

 

IF your broke then Roller paint it. It is fiberglass and the normal way to paint it is with AWL grip and a roller.
http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads...?http://www.rickwrench.com/50dollarpaint.html

http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showthread.php?t=57181&page=6

 

ya i gotta figure out turn signals too, idk if i want to do the corner light mod, use LEDs, or just zip tie the things up there. ziptie would look like an after thought, so it would fit my truck haha

 

I think the dupli colour matched fairly well because i used the proper code specific to my tacoma, but it's not perfect. Look back at my photos as a reference but you also have to consider that your truck is not brand new (neither is mine) over the years paint fades due to the sun, weather and time, etc and you'll be applying fresh paint to your canopy with spray cans never the less to try and match paint on a truck that is seven years or more older, so if I were you I would just paint it black, at least it will flow better with a green truck instead of a white canopy but, it's your call.

ps You should quite school and join the army, joking, kinda ha ha, good luck.

 

Lol..me too..whats your point??

 

i tested the 4x4

 

Considering dropping 2,000 on a lift+tire because I'm in a f***ing pissed off mood and want to take the anger out on my wallet... what do ya'll think? Eibach+Billies+Duratracs+Granite Alloys?

 

HAHAHAHAHA true that bro!! i do not have that money pit..not even my supra can compete with that lol

 

Your forgeting to lift the rear..so how about some All pro expos and 10'' billy 5150s.

Other then that..DO IT!

 

eibach+billy (f/r)= 500. stock rims with 32 or 33= 600-900. save money on wheels.

 

Sounds pretty damned good. Do it before you cool off and change your mind.

 

But with allpro expos and billy 5150s keep the stock rims and use it on those

 

If you really want to hurt your wallet, FOX remote resi adjustable COs, Alcan rear leafs and FOX remote resi rear shocks + tires + wheels.

GF=Wallet Magnet

 

ooo good call!

and more like Wallet Black hole lol

 

Gaaaah! You guys are tempting me... Will you help me install it if I get it? Fuck. What am I talking about. I can't afford this... well... I CAN, but I shouldn't... I want the Expos, but I think I'll go with the AAL till they really start saggin, and I guess its worth the extra $100 for the 5150's. AAAAHHHHH!!!! I'm gonna talk to the 'rents this week and see how pissed they'd be... I mean... I am working 3 jobs and on 3 scholarships. Plus, it's my truck, I can do what I want to it, right??? Dammit, what do you guys think? Wait... don't even tell me. I already know what the answer is.

 

Yeah I'd help!
After I got divorced, I blew a lot of money on the truck and it made me feel a LOT better!

Seriously, if it wasn't for the divorce, the only mod I'd have would still be the lift and that's it. She was spending my money ANY chance she got.

 

Hahaha. Well I'll let ya'll know sometime this week what goes down... I'm PRETTY sure I'm gonna go through with it.... We need to get some official UW meets going hardcore now and get the ball rollin!