Uncleanable Tacoma and nature’s pinstripes

Hi all,

I use my Tacoma and get it dirty a LOT. Most of the time I don’t bother to wash it as I’ll get it dirty again the very next day. However I’m getting tired of seeing dirt everywhere; all around my windshield, rear windows, grill, lights, etc. I tried cleaning the bed of my truck out the other day and gave up because the dirt doesn’t come out unless I spend a lot of time with soap and brushes scrubbing everywhere.

lately I’ve been trying to treat it better so I’ve been trying to wash it but every time it dries it still looks dirty and like I’m just pushing the dirt around. Even after a couple hours washing it over and over again a lot of parts on the truck just have a dull look to them like what you see it after heavy sun exposure (which makes sense with how much I am out in my truck).

additionally I have been awarded nature’s pinstripes after crashing through brush and having the branches scratch my sides, no paint was lost just the surface level has been scratched.

how would I go about repairing the surface scratches and how do I go about cleaning the endless amount of dirt? I’m also interested in coating it with something to protect it but I am not interested in having a shiny truck. Is there anything on the market that I can apply as a protective coating but gives a more matte/dull finish?

what sort of products can I use to spruce up the trim pieces made of plastic, rubber?

I do have access to a power washer, but wanted to see what the consensus is on that.

 

Honestly. If your gonna continue to use the truck the way you do. It would be a waste of time and money to go thru process to make it look nice imo just to not wash again very often and pinstripe again. Just give a good wash throw some wax on it which probably won’t much difference and continue to enjoy it the way you do. Just my 2cents.

 

X2. If going to use it that way wouldn't waste my time correcting paint. Find a good wax or sealant and use regularly...it will help keep the truck cleaner.

 

You should just take it to a detailer and let them bring it back to life. purchase goat armor. Magnetic protection for a good price and ita removable. You could also have PPF installed and forget about or get it ceramic coated.

 

Just a quick thought for the OP. If you decide to take your truck to a detailer for professional paint correction, remember that correcting surface scratches involves the removal of a certain amount of paint / clearcoat. Done correctly, this isn't generally a problem, but it could be for you. Why? Because if you go back out and get new surface scratches, you now have less paint available for correction. Said another way, paint correction is not a "do it as often as you want" process. There is a definite limit as to how much paint you can remove through correction before you do irreparable damage to it and need a repaint.

 

For the plastic trim and rubber pieces, highly recommend 303 Aerospace Protectant. It doesn’t necessarily make the black bits look absolutely brand new and juicy again (it dries matte) but it is the best protectant available (in my opinion) for trim pieces.

 

Thank you!

 

For any exterior trim throw 303 in the garbage. A trim coating will outperform 303 by months if not a year. At the end of the day 303 is a dressing and will not last like Cerakote, Carpro Dlux, or GTechniq C4

 

The two products are different animals. 303 isn’t designed to change the appearance of the trim, just to provide a layer of UV protection. And you’re right, it’s a dressing, it lasts about a month. If you want a semi-permanent coating that will give you an almost shiny trim finish, then go cerakote. It does a great job of refreshing the look of plastics. However, it’s not the best for rubber pieces such as gaskets that need to flex, it will crack after it cures.

I take the 303 and apply it preventively to all my interior and exterior plastics, vinyls and gaskets etc once a month after a wash, it does a great job keeping them from fading, aging or cracking. I also use it on the wiper blades. And for the quantity required, fairly inexpensive.

It also does a great job keeping all the vinyl on my boat cushions from aging.

 

303 is a decent product, but it does have its limitations. My experience is that it lasts until the first rainstorm or wash, no longer.

PS: I too use it on my boat's upholstery, but my boat is covered or inside until we take it out. If we get the seats wet, they get re-coated.

 

I’d be hard pressed to notice when it wears off, you can’t even tell it’s there 5 minutes after application. The bottle says 30-45 days, so I assume 30.

 

My truck sits outside a lot and I’ve noticed the trim fading a bit so this’ll be a good thing to protect it from the uv.

is there any type of treatment for the body that would provide protection from scratches and uv light but not leave the truck looking super shiny? Something semigloss or slightly matte?

 

If the trim is fading then pick up GTechniq C4. It will protect the plastic trim better plus make the color darker (no shine). If the trim is starting to turn grey/white then you need Solution Finish to dye the trim pieces black.

You’re not going to find a coating, wax, or sealant to protect from scratches. To do that you are going to need protective film or a wrap to prevent scratches on the paint. At the end of the day the only way to prevent scratches is to quit utilizing your truck to run through brush.

 

gotcha, thanks for the recommendation. You’re right, I’m taking tools with me now to pre clear areas but when it’s buggy out you don’t want to get out of the truck to clear brush especially since I’ve got a massive front bumper that does a great job pushing stuff out of the way. Does come at a cost though.