Polishing a "TuRD"

well I do spray wash my under carriage, frame, and engine compartment several times a year to keep it clean, does that count. This shine and clean job is way over the top, you could eat off that engine compartment or transmission. Mine will never look that good.

 

Decided to remove the cat heat shield located just before the heated oxygen sensor (Bank 1/Sensor 2).
@GQ7227 You'll appreciate this..........
I knew the bolts would be difficult to remove so I sprayed them with PB Blaster for three days.
I already told myself I wasn't going to force them and risk breaking the head off a bolt. Surprisingly, they all came off with little drama.

I put the bolts in a cup of Evapo-Rust last night. I'll post a picture of what they look like afterwards. I may just go to Lowe's and purchase new stainless steel bolts/nuts to replace them.
I reached out to TW Member @JonathanH (Great Guy to contact for hard to find parts) to see if I could get the part number for the bolts, but they are no longer available.

$30 Evapo-Rust ER012 Heavy Duty – 128 oz., Rust Remover for Auto Parts, Hardware, Antiques | Rust Removers and Chemicals

https://www.amazon.com/Evapo-Rust-O...ld=1&keywords=evaporust&qid=1602082545&sr=8-4

I'll post some pics once it's all cleaned up.



Secured by 4 10mm bolts

 

lol...yes that counts. We'll give you an "E" for Effort.

 

J A Y!!! I thought about you yesterday when I was removing those rusty bolts. I was thinking, "damn, now I know what J A Y goes through on everything he touches on his truck".
How's the black woolwax holding up??

 

Got the Cat Shield cleaned / polished up best I could. In order to clean the top of the cat converter I had to remove the long heat shield that's secured by two 10mm bolts.
If you ever remove any of these heat shields wear gloves!!! Man, the edges of those are like tin cans and will cut the crap out of you. My hands and arms look like I got into a fight with a bob cat.

Bolts are still in the Evapo-Rust. I could not find any M6-1.0 flange bolts/nuts so I ordered a set of 20 stainless steel ones off of Amazon.
More to come..................

 

its 'dirty' and not as black as it was when sprayed now with dust & dirt built up, we've had absolute NO rain to drive through and see how it sticks with roadwash
i might try this evapo-rust on my front license plate screws, those are getting crusty

what i find weird about the Tacoma bolts are the ones for the mudflaps are corrosion resistant BUT the bolts for the wheel arch moldings are not resistant after time, i got all new ones last year as well as the scuff plate screws

 

If you’ve never used it, evapo-rust is pretty awesome. I know it’s sold at AutoZone.
Once again, I experienced a J A Y moment tonight. I removed the cat shield (oxygen sensor 1) but not without breaking 3 of 4 of the 10mm bolts. They snapped like pretzels when trying to remove. That was even letting them all soak with PB Blaster days in advance.
Good thing I ordered the 20 pack of replacements.
I’ll post pictures of all that tomorrow.

 

jammer, i am desiring to clean up the thermo housing thing, i was thinking of taking it off and powder coating it red black or blue, or maybe that is a bad idea
what does yours look like?

 

Hey, Good Morning J A Y.
I'll have to get you a picture when I back my truck out of the garage. Next time I change my oil/filter I was planning on cleaning up some of the underside since I'll have the skid plates off.
I know this is what it looks like new. I don't have any experience with powder coating.....wish I did! I don't guess heat would be an issue since people powder coat the valve covers.

Are you replacing the thermostat? I know from the top, it's difficult to clean that part.

3.4l Thermostat Housing

 

i noticed a small dried pink weep on the lower radiator hose developing, i checked the records when last i had the T belt changed and a new water pump and did not see a new thermostat listed on the invoice so it might be 23.5 years old idk! but i have a new lower hose and thermostat to get in there with some new pink coolant that is over a year old circulating through there
from that pic perhaps its supposed to look darkish gray?

 

So out of curiosity, since lots of these parts have the zinc phosphor coating and zinc cadmium plating, which are for corrosion resistance. Are you stripping that in your process? Seems like unless you maintain this neurotic habit regularly you could end up doing more damage if the coatings are now gone.

 

It's not that difficult to get to once you remove the skid plates. Probably have a little bit more room if you remove the radiator shroud.

 

You bring up a good point, and you're correct. I'm referring to mainly to bolts located under the truck such as the ones that secured the exhaust hangar bracket, etc. I noticed a while back that those that have a gold or brass look them turn silver after lots of polishing. To combat that, I've started spraying them with Eastwood Diamond Clear.
The exhaust flange bolts are done for. That's why I just order new stainless steel ones.

...my wife would agree 100% with you.........."this neurotic habit"

 

How'd you get it so clean?

 

@jammer, where is that topic you had about the rubber/plastic plugs in the rear of the bottom cab, i just got to that area again yesterday

 

Good Morning J A Y! Below is the link.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/assistance-identifying-a-plug-in-rear-of-cab.670824/

 

Lots of rubbin and lovin! It’s definitely something you have to keep doing to maintain it, but I enjoy it.

 

My engine bay isn't terrible but it's a loooong way from yours. For some reason it doesn't bother me as much and underneath does. Do you put your truck on jack stands?

 

Hey Dave. No, I've got an old blanket that I lay under the truck and I can easily access most everything.....even more so with the skid plates off.
I noticed you have as your current ride a 2017 TRD 4x4. Those are nice! Post a picture of you engine when you get a chance.

 

My 2017....My 2001 isn't near this bad. I guess I could always hit it gently with a pressure washer? That has always scared me.