What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

Got my 2020 Off-Rod Grill on of FB Marketplace and got it over to the body shop to get painted matte black instead of that OEM gunmetal grey.

 

I have two miliary Scepter Fuel cans that I been looking to secure to the bed of my truck so I came up with this, please see photos. I used the Smittybilt Jerry Gas Can Holder (Amazon for $30), Toyota Bed Rail (Toyota dealership $30.51) and Rago Fabrication Toyota Bed Rail Recovery Board Mounts ( I had them already, think I paid $80 with discount). I used the existing holes on the board mounts to secure to the can holder.

If anyone else know of a better solution, specifically to Scepter Military cans, that is lockable, please let me know.

 

]Thinking outside the box.

 

Love the look of the truck! Ive been thinking about doing the same with my grill letters, I have reflective vinyl on them right now and they look pretty cool at night.
How did you apply the VHT niteshades? did you follow the instructions and clean, sand, clean, adhesion, color, then clear coat? or did you just use the spray straight up?
Im just trying to find out if all these steps are necessary and if i need to get prep wipes, adhesion promoter and clear coat? I have heard multiple different opinions on whether this stuff is good or not and have heard that it is to matte, you seemed to do a pretty good job! Im assuming maybe that has to do with the prep that was or wasn't involved with their application methods? I'm a bit OCD on stuff like this so i would want to do as close to a professional job as I can manage, but with that said, i don't have any experience with automotive paint or similar products Thanks for any advice! Here is the Dupicolor instructions i found
InstallationInstructions

 

I don't know what 18 coats translates to in beers but I'm with you!

 

Follow their directions and you should get an acceptable job. Prep is paramount to a good finished product. Start the spay off your project and end it the same way. Light coats instead of heavy coats while keeping a wet edge is the way to go. Not a bad idea to waste a can on a scrap item to get a feel for the process.
Heavy coats are not your friend, they promote runs and sags. Don't start or stop the spray on your project and keep a wet edge and you should be fine.

 

I found mine here https://wavianusa.com/

 

I find the clear coat to be quite thick on my Tacoma. I've done a 4 stage scratch buff out (compounds to polishes) all from the Chemical Guys lineup including using a rotary polisher and hex cutting pads. I think you may have stayed in the one area too long and got the hologramming effect happening. Where the clear coat is actually still there but it looks like it isn't.

 

Looking good, thanks for sharing.

But I don't know if the 5 gallon holder would work. Do the hole on your holder matches the holes on your Rago Fabrication mount ? Or you had to drill new ones? Also I see the mount is only attached on one side, you reckon it will be enough to hold a 5 gallon can?

 

Antenna for HAM and CB? You know there are different frequency ranges right?

 

Yes, I had to drill new holes in the holder, and the Rago bracket. The 5-gallon bracket should be able to hold a 5-gallon can for transportation with only one mount, but I wouldn't trust it for hard wheeling. You'd be better off with two brackets for the 5-gallon cans.

 

Yeah I think you're right about the hologramming effect. I made the mistake of buffing by hand and likely using too much pressure in a pin pointed spot.

 

Love your work. I’m always impressed with the quality and workmanship!

 

Just installed these bad boys! Swapped out the 600lbs coils for 650lb ones from Eibach, love the ride so far! Went from Fox's 2.5 w/o resi to these, huge improvement.

Also if anyone's interested in my old shocks, they've just been re-valved, and coated in their Fox Grey Cerakote!

 

Amen...

 

New spyder projector headlights, sequential turn signal for side mirrors, and diode dynamics fogs.

 

Beautiful!

 

Thanks. Post pics of that reflective vinyl!!! Would love to see that.
Honestly with the VHT, I cleaned and applied light coats. All it took was 2 coats for the look I wanted. I used this once before on my bike’s taillight and was VERY pleased with the results. For the bike I just shaded the sides and left the face red. Bike was about 5 coats. But for the truck, I taped off the reverse lights and held the can about 3-4” away and sprayed on the light coats. I did let it dry for about a half hour between coats. If you mess up, brake cleaner gets it right off. Wash, dry and get back to work. With the Rustoleum, I was never truly happy with the results. But it’s was what the store had at the time. But with the VHT, I didn’t use clear coat. That’s just straight up wash, dry and spray. Nothing wrong with practicing on some plexiglass too.

 

Can't agree with @RiverNutBob more on this. Proper prep and consistent light coats are the key. I have used VHT Nightshade before in the past. Came out great on my old Tundra. Followed these directions at the time:
https://www.tundras.com/threads/diy-tinted-tail-lights.485/

Here are some pics I found from that project:

 

Set up Garmin mini dash cam today. Amazing quality on the videos and super simple set up. Exported a clip but too big to upload here and too lazy to add elsewhere. Only thing still needed is the polarized lense. Definitely needed, surprised how few stores have it available. Found one and it’s on its way.