Nice Looking Truck vs Trees

[thebizbucket]

Ok Guys.. I am sure some of you 80's owners must share this issue with me. I am not posting this with the 60's and before because I expect they don't share the concern 80's and LX450's sure can look sharp.

I have a nice looking LX450 in green and I RAVAGED its paint in the trees on tight trails. I did the same thing to my last truck as well.

Here is the thing. I love wheeling, I love my lx450 - but i'd rather drive around with it looking decent than awful. Call me a
if you like, but that's just my style.

I know that 3m make something for rocks and bugs http://www3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001...us_aad_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html but it doesn't sound tough enough for dragging 1" thick branches all the way along your ride..

Is there anything somewhere between car paint and .. whatever they put on space shuttles that will keep my truck looking decent and not have a constant reminder of every branch I have ever hit ?

PS its not like I just need a few more scratches to make it look good. The whole thing is scratches, there isn't much green left LOL.

 

[SleekFJ62]

Just to chime in on behalf of your 60 Series brethren...FJ60 and FJ62 owners generally believe there is no cooler vehicle on the road. Many of us most certainly care about how our vehicles look and work hard to keep them presentable (for what it's worth...).
I'm curious to see what the MUD community will offer on this subject - I think all MUD-types will be interested in what falls out from this inquiry.
Personally, I wouldn't mind a nice "shuttle" finish on my truck - if it can handle re-entry, it can likely handle a bit of brush...

 

[llloyd]

all the new luxury cars have brushed aluminum accents, just do the whole exterior brushed metal.

or do a rat-truck, primer black and just add spray as needed.

i dont have a serious answer, sorry, i'm curious about the 3m stuff though.

 

[thebizbucket]

Just to chime in on behalf of your 60 Series brethren...FJ60 and FJ62 owners generally believe there is no cooler vehicle on the road. Many of us most certainly care about how our vehicles look and work hard to keep them presentable (for what it's worth...).
I'm curious to see what the MUD community will offer on this subject - I think all MUD-types will be interested in what falls out from this inquiry.
Personally, I wouldn't mind a nice "shuttle" finish on my truck - if it can handle re-entry, it can likely handle a bit of brush...

60's are sick I agree. And they look damn sharp with a nice coat of paint. But what is it you guys say.. we are the ones iwth the pink panties ?

Just targetting lol

 

[jfz80]

what about the new vinyl wraps used on some new race car bodies. a local sign shop here does the application w/ printed images or solid colors, not sure about a clear but may be worth asking. soryy no clue on the price or ultimate durability. the 3m product is that like the clear bra product? like a 10ml clear adhesive?

 

[Sackman]

You could just go with a full body sticker... I should think that would

do alright in protecting you against minor to moderate scratches.

Although I haven't looked into this.. I have seen cars with them

driving around, Usually advertising some company ridiculously all

over them. I have actually heard that these companies pay

people to just drive around with body sticker advertisements.

....just dont let any companies like "TAMPAX" sucker you in...

 

[alaskacruiser]

Some people on this group use magnetic sheets that stick to body panels to protect them while offroad. I believe Beowulf is one of them, but I could be wrong. You can make these yourself. I haven't found a place that makes them for the 80s.

 

[cartercd]

There is a product advertised in Australia that provides a protective coating for your paint. You roll it on with a brush then peel it off after you are through wheeling. I'm not sure if you can get it in the U.S. Here is a link:

http://www.4wdworld.com.au/products/scratchpro/index.htm

 

[PHAEDRUS]

My god that makes -B-'s magnetic protection look downright simple.
Dave,
Then again I am of the beleif that scratches just show you use it for what Mr T designed it for.

 

[Beowulf]

Some people on this group use magnetic sheets that stick to body panels to protect them while offroad. I believe Beowulf is one of them, but I could be wrong.

Nope, the magnetic sheets was not my idea and I haven't tried them. I remember the post but I can't recall who uses them. It's basically the stuff that refigerator magnets are made out of. He bought sheets of it in a deep red color and puts it on the sides.

My idea was a type of shrink-wrap product. Tried it once and it worked great. The ribbing I took continues to this day.

Robbie said my truck looked like a used condom and the lady at Starbucks asked if the truck was new? "No, why do you ask?" " Cause it's still got the plastic on it."

Check with IdahoDoug on the 3M product. He sells invisible bras and headlight protection. It's a pretty thick product and should keep down most of the scratches you'll get from limbs and stuff.

I spoke with a guy in OZ a few years ago. He applied the 3M stuff (or comparable) to the entire vehicle and drove it off-road for 5 years. After 5 years he parked it in the sun, let it get hot, and peeled it off. He told me the paint underneath was good as new. He had a source for the material in 3' wide x 50' rolls. Spendy though.

-B-

 

[loquito]

The ribbing I took continues to this day.


-B-

That thread was great fun, bring back the picture of your rig wrapped, it should be on the first page's Featured Photo's

 

[Beowulf]

That thread was great fun, bring back the picture of your rig wrapped, it should be on the first page's Featured Photo's

Nothing better than having 4,000 Mud members getting a good laugh at my expense, huh?



-B-

 

[MDarius]

Alright B, I did a search for your shrink wrap post and can't find it. You can't tease us like that and not produce the pics.

 

[Beowulf]

I did not post the pics. Someone else did. You think I'm dumb enough to humiliate myself?

Seek and ye shall find.

-B-

 

[MDarius]

Whu?? I do it all the time!

I have nothing better to do on a Sunday afternoon, and the wife has the cruiser with the kids. I'm off!

 

[cruiserdan]

The Wulf hasn't been too pissed at me lately, and I miss that.....



https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=27824

 

[Romer]

I get scratches all the time. In 2005 Kane Creek Moab did a number on both sides. I took it to a shop and had it buffed out and it looks great.

in 2006, lots of scratches, but not as deep. I used Meguires X Scratch and it really did the trick.

There is 8 layers of paint on these things and lots you can do to keep it looking nice.

I don't let the scratches bother me because thats the price of wheeling, BUT, I don't have to accept and so far it still looks factory fresh.

So try Meguires X Scratch or a similar product and see how it goes, then take whats left to a body shop and see if they can brush it out. You may be happy with just the Meguires stuff.

 

[llloyd]

The Wulf hasn't been too pissed at me lately, and I miss that.....



https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=27824

thats reminds me a crazy night in bangkok i had with this cute but really uptight ladyboy..

 

[thebizbucket]

In concept I don't mind scratches. I am more than happy to apply them liberally.. but when driving in the city and I see another cruiser but without scratches I am slightly jealous. They look tight not all messed up.

I think me and a buddy here with an xterra are going to get matching magnet covers and try it out We both have to get full paint jobs from a year of sloppy obstacles and parking lot pillars.. and then that seems like a wise investment.

Crafty idea.. I am impressed.

 

[-Spike-]

when driving in the city and I see another cruiser but without scratches I am slightly jealous.

I like to think they're more jealous that I get to wheel my junk.

-Spike