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Washing the Taco

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Jonah, Jan 31, 2017.

  1. Jan 31, 2017 at 2:26 PM
    #1
    Jonah

    Jonah [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I gave my truck a bath today, and I have a question for you guys. Just in front of the rear wheels there is some kind of protective film. It's pretty nasty, especially around the edges. Scrubbing it with plain soap and water didn't do a thing to clean it up. I was tempted to remove it, but it probably helps prevent some dings. What do you use to clean it? Alcohol, lacquer thinner, mineral spirits...???2017-01-31 15.15.04.jpg 2017-01-31 15.15.16.jpg
     
  2. Jan 31, 2017 at 2:29 PM
    #2
    TegoTaco

    TegoTaco Well-Known Member

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    Try using goo gone, rubbing alcohol, a clay bar, dish soap. Your fingers nails lol
     
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  3. Jan 31, 2017 at 2:36 PM
    #3
    JadedTaco

    JadedTaco Well-Known Member

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    Lift, tires, mats, blah, blah, blah...
    Rubbing compound?
     
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  4. Jan 31, 2017 at 2:37 PM
    #4
    trdNick

    trdNick Odie

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    Rip it off with hair dryer and goo gone.
     
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  5. Jan 31, 2017 at 3:44 PM
    #5
    Too Stroked

    Too Stroked Well-Known Member

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    Goo Gone, lacquer thinner, mineral spirits and other solvents may solve one problem, but create others. The clear film is there to prevent stone chips. Removing it may solve the "ugly clear film" issue, but it will expose those stone chip prone areas to damage. Most solvents will loosen the adhesive holding the film in place, so I'd advise not using them. If you have to use one, mineral spirits is probably the least aggressive. Lacquer Thinner is actually hot (aggressive) enough to damage your paint.

    From what I can see in your pictures, it looks like you might actually have mold growing at the edges of the clear film. If that's the case, you can use Clorox Cleanup or Mold Remover (available at most Marine Supply stores.) Spray the product on and let it sit for a minute or so. Then spray some more on and lightly scrub the edges with a soft bristle brush. That should remove the mess at the edges of the film. Then you can decide if you want to remove it entirely. To do that, heat the film up with a blow drier and slowly peel it back.
     
    trabo likes this.
  6. Jan 31, 2017 at 4:00 PM
    #6
    spitdog

    spitdog Well-Known Member

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    I would think a real fix would be to remove the old clear film, clean and reapply new film. The edges on the old film appears to be letting dirt and grime in and getting trapped.
     
  7. Jan 31, 2017 at 4:02 PM
    #7
    ZachPrerunner

    ZachPrerunner Sometimes she goes, sometimes it doesn’t

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    Agreed.
     
  8. Jan 31, 2017 at 4:31 PM
    #8
    PNW BlueReaper

    PNW BlueReaper Slowly but Surely

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    I've always been curious about that film. Not sure if i should remove mine completely and risk the chips, or just save up for new fenders.
     
  9. Jan 31, 2017 at 5:06 PM
    #9
    spitdog

    spitdog Well-Known Member

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    If I removed it , I would immediately put new film back on. That area really gets sand blasted from road grit. I saw somewhere where you can buy the stuff and reapply.
     
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2017
  10. Jan 31, 2017 at 5:15 PM
    #10
    doghair

    doghair Well-Known Member

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    I've thought about posting this same thing. I have the desert version of the problem, it's getting dry rot with a yellow discoloring which looks like crap against the white. Might start looking for the part number to replace them soon.
     
  11. Jan 31, 2017 at 6:01 PM
    #11
    PNW BlueReaper

    PNW BlueReaper Slowly but Surely

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    Well that does it. Replacing it is on my soon to-do list.
     
  12. Jan 31, 2017 at 6:18 PM
    #12
    Jonah

    Jonah [OP] Well-Known Member

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  13. Jan 31, 2017 at 6:26 PM
    #13
    spitdog

    spitdog Well-Known Member

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  14. Jan 31, 2017 at 7:00 PM
    #14
    doghair

    doghair Well-Known Member

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    Spartan and Husky make some I found too. I can't figure out why everyone thinks we need enough to wrap a battleship.
     
  15. Jan 31, 2017 at 7:06 PM
    #15
    randomguy

    randomguy Well-Known Member

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    I'm sure those areas get blasted. I'm also sure if I ever get around to it I'm going to rip them off. The clear film is something that only recently started showing up(like the last 10-15 years) on trucks. I've had a few previous trucks that the tires stuck out from the fenders a bit and no mud flaps. Certain areas did get more rock chips than others but that's just wear and tear. My Tacoma with it's tires nicely tucked in the wheel wells(stock wheels and 265's) and Husky Liner mudguards isn't throwing much of anything up on the sides.
     
  16. Jan 31, 2017 at 7:11 PM
    #16
    doghair

    doghair Well-Known Member

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    Agreed, thinking ripping that shit off and a bottle of touch up paint is the way to go.
     
  17. Jan 31, 2017 at 7:13 PM
    #17
    ZachPrerunner

    ZachPrerunner Sometimes she goes, sometimes it doesn’t

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    I don't run any mud guards and I have KO's. It's going on two years and there's not that many rock chips. I drive in gravel and dirt occasionally too. I do; however, wax a bunch in an effort to keep the paint looking nice.
     
  18. Jan 31, 2017 at 7:27 PM
    #18
    bigfoote13

    bigfoote13 Well-Known Member

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    2016 Sport suspension 1/2 spacer up front and aal in rear SCS Stealth 6 17 inch wheels Wildpeak AT3 265 70 17
    Mine looked like that with only 10k on the truck.
     
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  19. Feb 1, 2017 at 9:31 AM
    #19
    TegoTaco

    TegoTaco Well-Known Member

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    If you remove it, you'll have lots of stone chips, ask any X-Runner owner...lol...they never came with the film protection.
     
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  20. Feb 1, 2017 at 10:47 AM
    #20
    mn_keith

    mn_keith Active Member

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    3M Clear Bra. I bought a roll off Amazon to do my door sills.
     

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