ARCHIVE LabRak - MetricTLc 80 Series Build Thread (1 Viewer)

[AATLAS1X]

I get asked often how I can see flaws in the paint that are so subtle that most don't see them.


Here's an example. Take a flashlight and lay it on the body or close to and inspect the truck. Here's two handles on the drivers side that have abraded paint. Dead center in the handle from opening.

You really want to see something crazy, go turn off the lights in your house and shine light down the walls, not at them. You'll find some interesting things

Same technique investigators use at crime scenes.

The glove with white scotch brite pad, its non abrasive and what I use on the inside of the flares to remove tar and grime.

 

[AATLAS1X]

WOW looks brand new!! Nice work.. Great attention to detail on the small things. I used to be a detail fanatic with show cars/BMW's . Wet sanding and buffing everything possible, clay bars, etc. I detailed my 80 all the time until it started to get trail damages and mud, then I just said F it, just going to relax.

Thanks!

I worked at a high end detail shop for several years when I was a kid. Exotics and high end cars and the owner was so OCD that we had to take apart our buffers and clear them before putting them away. He was off the charts.

I'm wet sanding the fine scratches on the flares and a few on the hood and doors now. Then I need to find my buffers as I have no idea where they're hiding.

 

[gtfour43]

What's the white stuff all over your driveway?

This is gonna be my favorite build thread on mud!

 

[AATLAS1X]

What's the white stuff all over your driveway?

This is gonna be my favorite build thread on mud!

Lol. It's snowing now!

I'm the only idiot with a hose working on a rig in his driveway for a few hundred miles.

 

[AATLAS1X]

Flares, mirrors, hood and many spots around the body sanded with 3M p1500.

Still can't find my buffers.

 

[AATLAS1X]

Boom!

 

[AATLAS1X]

Completely sidetracked by my girl yanking out a seat.

Again keeping the theme of budget, most materials and parts I have in stock

She wanted heated seats, she gets heated seats.


Ill get into detail later on how to install the seat heaters.

Now it's time for bed.

 

[AATLAS1X]

http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/pubs.php?v=0&y=0&int=0&pv=LAND+CRUISER&py=1993&pubno=

Anyone verify that this is a FSM?

Thanks!

 

[OGBeno]

Dead link.

 

[AATLAS1X]

Dead link.

http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/pubs.php?v=0&y=0&int=0&pv=LAND+CRUISER&py=1993&pubno=


Fixed. Thanks.

 

[OGBeno]

Looks right.

 

[lugueto]

Impressive attention to detail! I wish I could do the same for mine, even though I try.

If you don't mind, exactly what did you do/use for the interior? Carpets, seats, trim/dash. I'm especially curious about the process to remove the slight marks and scuffs on the plastic pieces. I dont pay as much attention to the exterior as the interior lol but i'm happy as long as the interior looks, smells and sounds (or doesnt lol) like new.

Again, impressive, I wish my cruiser stays half as clean as yours, I can live with that..

 

[Finnyfam60]

Where I shine and no pun intended is in the details.

Get your latex gloves on and grab a handful of Vaseline and coat the door seals. Then use an oil base dressing for the plastic door trim and lathe it up.

Let it sit for a few days and wipe dry. They will seal, not squeak or leak and last a long time.

The painted black trim I polish with 3M finesse and wax to a new finish.

What is an oil base dressing? (An example or brand) also, which plastic door door trim does it go on? Thanks!

 

[AATLAS1X]

Thanks Beno.

 

[bulldog1402]

I am by no means an expert on this and I am sure others will have better options, but here is what I did.

I had a heck of a time getting the wood trim off the center piece that houses the gear selector. I ended up using goof off in excess which also stripped most of the black paint. What I had left over was glue residue and sporadic black paint.

I scuffed it up and sanded it down with some fine sandpaper. It looked like s*** and white and cloudy. I got some really thick linseed oil and applied it heavily. I was shocked after two applications the scuffs were gone and it looked perfect.

YMMV but worth a shot. I did it in area with a deep gouge too and it worked.

 

[AATLAS1X]

A couple other 80 quirks to check

2) Open up your blower fan (under the glovebox) and clean it out. The 80 has no in cabin air filter so all sorts of crap gets in there.

You sir are evil!

How do you crack that box apart? Don't tell me the whole unit comes out and not the bottom?

It's full of s***!

I'm going back to installing heat in the seats, it's much easier

Edit----- I've searched and can't find how this comes apart, link? Anyone?

 

[AATLAS1X]

What is an oil base dressing? (An example or brand) also, which plastic door door trim does it go on? Thanks!

In the commercial land of high detailing there's some amazing products.

Dressing is a common term for any product that's applied to rubber or plastics.

Most every used vehicle I buy gets a drastic lathering. By that I mean I open the doors and spray every piece on the interior that's not fabric with a water base dressing and its white. Very thick and should be reduced. I also spray the lambs and soak all rubber and plastic bits in the engine bay. This is not a used car trick.

Then I spray the exterior with an oil based product. Wheels, tires, wheel wells, CV boots, all trim, grill chrome and then let it sit in the sun for a few days. They hotter the better.

Then the fun begins. What happened the past few days is the rubber and plastic have soaked up all the oils and rejuvenated. It's soaks through the dirt, grime, dust and whatever. This is a huge mess, yes it is. But the rewards are very high. So I bust out my pressure washer and hit every square inch of the exterior, wheel wells, engine bay and door jambs. You'll notice that the hoses look new and no oil residue. All the trim and seals will be black and soft.

I use acid on the wheels and chrome, must be quick with alloys. It will make chrome as new and where trim touches paint, it will remove the build up. I use a stiff bristle brush around emblems and all body gaps and area that are hard to clean like door hinges.

Next step is hot water with Dawn soap and a clay bar. If you don't door this yearly then you're neglecting your paint. Wash mitt in one hand and clay in another rubbing out one panel at a time. This removes 100%!of fallout and makes it glass smooth.


My other secret is an acid base gel. It's great for removing water spots of paint, glass and chrome.


The inside is a whole other animal.

 

[AATLAS1X]

Impressive attention to detail! I wish I could do the same for mine, even though I try.

If you don't mind, exactly what did you do/use for the interior? Carpets, seats, trim/dash. I'm especially curious about the process to remove the slight marks and scuffs on the plastic pieces. I dont pay as much attention to the exterior as the interior lol but i'm happy as long as the interior looks, smells and sounds (or doesnt lol) like new.

Again, impressive, I wish my cruiser stays half as clean as yours, I can live with that..

Carpets are really easy. Just a big bucket of hot water, few ounces of this product and a wash mitt. Scrub like mad and get it wet! Vacuum and repeat. When clean, I do a rinse cycle with hot water only and flush, vac, flush, vac and then use large bath towels to dry the fibers. If using white towels they should stay white and buff the fibers till dry and they will be soft to the touch.

I attach the door panels at the same time, use compressed air to blow out switches.

With seats it's the same way but I use a dish towel and wring it out before scrubbing the fabric seats.

If leather, Lexol cleaners and conditioners. Remember the sides and back are vinyl and use a mild soap to clean them.

 

[AATLAS1X]

Finished up installing heated seat inserts into the passenger seat. Our kit is 100% plug n play. Tap into key hot (under console) and run switch to dash or console com blanks and wire ground.

I ran all under the carpet along the factory harness.

 

[AATLAS1X]

As you can see the drivers bolster was broken down. Upon removal I found it to be completely broke down. Ordered a new cushion.

The seat back middle spring where the seat listing attaches to was loose. The welds had broken. Upon inspection I found another broken and another cracked. Busted out the Lincoln and made it whole again.