My Summer Makeover

Since its the summer after completing my first year of college (my justification ) , I decided I'd spoil myself and my taco! Here she sat at the beginning of the summer:


Well a few weeks back, the manager at discount tire approached me in Chick fil A and informed me that the wheels I had were on recall for cracking! So I went over an got a brand new set of Raceline Raptors free of charge



Then I decided to make her front end look a little better. Thanks to Homertaco and Jerry at BAMF, I was shipped the raptor style mesh and the "TOYOTA" letters. I decided to take the raptor satoshi grill mod on myself and for how it turned out, I'm happy It was a full day of work not including time for the paint to dry!


Don't worry, the Tacoma emblem on the grill will be gone shortly! In this next week I am planning to remove it and color match the grill surround to get rid of that ugly chrome! Just waiting on the paint from automotivetouchup.com

Future plans for this summer:
- I already order a Hybrid Front Bumper from Eddy at SOS Offroad Concepts and can't wait until it comes in! I'll kiss that bull bar goodbye!
- Color match grill surround from chrome
- Upgrading from stock coils to 885 coils
- Upgrading to some LR UCA's

Possible mods:
- Spraying rear chrome bumper with bed liner?
- Mounting a cb in the center console and antenna by the tailgate

 

Very Nice

 

Lookin' good so far. Keep up the good work but don't go broke doing it. Patience grasshopper, patience.

 

Thanks!

I know its just so hard to wait once you catch the mod bug but I have my budget that I'm sticking to so that I'll have the money I need for next semester!

 

Just got the paint from automotive touchup and bought all of the other materials needed to color match my ugly chrome grill surround! I think I will start the process tomorrow!

 

The color matching process is now underway

 

Okay, I think I f'd up. I was using a thread on here as a guide for chrome to color match and everything was going smoothly until I was going to start to prep and paint. In the thread he used the duplicolor prep wipes, well I couldn't find them so I got the same thing just in an aerosol can


I thought it would work the same way.... WRONG After 5-10 sec of applying, the aluminum foil started to bubble up and peel. So this is what it looks like now.




Now that it peeled, I figure I have to peel the rest off otherwise if I paint it, there will be a definite line and it won't last. The problem is it isn't the easiest to peel (I already sliced my finger ). Also, I fear that the duplicator self etching primer and base coat won't adhere very well to the plastic underneath the foil! Please, I need some advice on what I should do. Has this happened to anyone? Will it even have the same finish?

 

I would be glad you found a way to remove the chrome. Paint isn't going to be very durable when applied over chrome. Also why didn't you remove the chrome part, from the black part, rather than taping it?

 

Looks SWEET! I dont know what lift you have with stock coils but that bad boy sets up really nice!

 

Sucks! I have heard that you can get it off easy with a power washer. Not sure if you have one OP or have access to one but there have been people on here that have had luck with it.

If not, maybe a putty knife and aircraft stripper?
Just don't leave it on too long as it is only plastic.

 

Well I wanted to remove it but I don't have a heat gun to bend the tabs back so I just taped it. I think I'm going to try to use a blow torch to heat them up to remove it taping is just annoying

Thanks! I'm running MaxTrac Spindles and Billies set at 1.75

I have a power washer so I think I might give it a try! Already tried the putty knife and wasn't successful. I might try the prep spray again considering it is was caused it to peel in the first place! Haha

 

2nd person ive seen with the same rims as me nice!

 

Don't use a heat gun to bend the tabs. I used a flat blade screw driver and a little patience. You may need two, because you will need to be prying more tabs than one at any given time. Way cleaner looking in the end than trying to tape it. I did peel all the chrome off mine. Very tedious but the paint will more durable on prepped plastic than chrome.

 

Nice! Raceline Raptors FTMFW!!

Okay thanks man! I'll give it a try but no matter what I'm getting that grill surround off! See the threads I was looking at just painted over the chrome after sanding it down. I'll just peel it off

 

I would just be careful of leaving that on for too long. I imagine it can't be too good for the plastic either. Be sure to post pics!! I'm interested for future grill project I will have.

 

I will be very careful when it comes to using the power washer. I think I might try using the prep spray first to remove it and if it doesn't work I'll then use it. I will post pics and pass the popcorn!

 

Just got my 885 coils in thanks to zscott! I think I will wait till I get the LR UCA's and the bumper to install all at the same time to make life easier



Still working on the grill

 

Did you go with steel or aluminum for your bumper?

 

Holy crap these are NICE