What have you done to your 200 Series this week? (68 Viewers)

[gasman4u]

Changed the oil at 156,000, drain amd fill on PS reservoir, replaced both marker lights in the headlight housing, compound buff on the paint followed up woth Griots 3 in 1 ceramic spray as well as cleaned the engine bay and interior.

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Looks good! Did you use water in the engine bay? If so, did you cover the alternator and battery?

 

[Ratchey]

Looks good! Did you use water in the engine bay? If so, did you cover the alternator and battery?

I sprayed it with Simple Green HD cleaner, let it soak, rinsed with the pressure washer, sprayed it a second time, let it soak again, then rinsed again with the pressure washer. I use a moderately wide tip and try not to blast too closely but no, I do not cover anything. Then I use the leaf blower to dry the engine as well as I can. Then I wash and dry the SUV before I start it.
Once finished I used 304 Aerospace to clean and protect the plastic and rubber. Doesn't attract dust.

I have cleaned engine bays like this for 40 years and haven't had an issue yet. Doesn't mean it can't happen though.

 

[gasman4u]

I sprayed it with Simple Green HD cleaner, let it soak, rinsed with the pressure washer, sprayed it a second time, let it soak again, then rinsed again with the pressure washer. I use a moderately wide tip and try not to blast too closely but no, I do not cover anything. Then I use the leaf blower to dry the engine as well as I can. Then I wash and dry the SUV before I start it.
Once finished I used 304 Aerospace to clean and protect the plastic and rubber. Doesn't attract dust.

I have cleaned engine bays like this for 40 years and haven't had an issue yet. Doesn't mean it can't happen though.

Nice! Good to know about solid techniques that work. 304 is a great choice imo for this use case. I’ve got some of their matte finish I’m going to use. That, and some gtechniq goodness via a foam cannon and some brushes instead of the simple green.

 

[chasingpowder]

Bought one. For her for 3 years, then I will retire my 100 and take this one. 2011 one owner 40k mile

Recently added Toyota all weather mats through out and Firestone helper bags. View attachment 944763View attachment 944764View attachment 944765View attachment 944766

tell me about the helper bags. Are you liking them?

 

[TeCKis300]

Thought I was going to have to replace the fixtures but with some elbow grease, these came out way better than I could have hoped. I skipped the temporary solution this time that are the $25 kits and went straight for a body shop quality refinish with 2k clear coat.

This was an excellent guide, particularly the included video from Paint Society.

Project 996: Refinishing My Crappy, Yellowed Hazy Headlights - Jalopnik - https://www.jalopnik.com/project-996-refinishing-yellowed-hazy-headlights-1850651527/

 

[WickedCrawler]

Thought I was going to have to replace the fixtures but with some elbow grease, these came out way better than I could have hoped. I skipped the temporary solution this time that are the $25 kits and went straight for a body shop quality refinish with 2k clear coat.

This was an excellent guide, particularly the included video from Paint Society.

Project 996: Refinishing My Crappy, Yellowed Hazy Headlights - Jalopnik - https://www.jalopnik.com/project-996-refinishing-yellowed-hazy-headlights-1850651527/

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Nice! Before/after pics or didn’t happen!

 

[teejnut]

Thought I was going to have to replace the fixtures but with some elbow grease, these came out way better than I could have hoped. I skipped the temporary solution this time that are the $25 kits and went straight for a body shop quality refinish with 2k clear coat.

This was an excellent guide, particularly the included video from Paint Society.

Project 996: Refinishing My Crappy, Yellowed Hazy Headlights - Jalopnik - https://www.jalopnik.com/project-996-refinishing-yellowed-hazy-headlights-1850651527/

View attachment 3992279

Happy with the results? Think it would have been better if you removed the headlights instead?

I want to do the same but been lazy to remove and then having to re-aim the headlights after.

 

[TeCKis300]

Nice! Before/after pics or didn’t happen!

Now I wish I took some before pics! It was unsightly enough I was about to order new OEM ones because I've already gone down the path of refinishing them twice. Once with a Meguiar's kit and a "lifetime" Cerakote kit. Both only lasted about a year before significant degradation.

Happy with the results? Think it would have been better if you removed the headlights instead?

I want to do the same but been lazy to remove and then having to re-aim the headlights after.

Very happy and I expect the professional 2 part 2k automotive grade clear coat to hold up to the test of time. I would leave them in every time, because it holds the headlight secure while sanding and working them. Use good tape and take the time to mask well, and there are practically zero drawbacks to leaving in. Our headlights are fortunately a simple shape to work too.

I actually did my Porsche 911 headlights at the same time and those took much much more work. I can take those headlights out in about 5 minutes per side and still left them in for the same reasons.

BTW, I had a great time camping with a buddy of yours last weekend. Looking forward to future trips where we might cross paths!

 

[teejnut]

Now I wish I took some before pics! It was unsightly enough I was about to order new OEM ones because I've already gone down the path of refinishing them twice. Once with a Meguiar's kit and a "lifetime" Cerakote kit. Both only lasted about a year before significant degradation.



Very happy and I expect the professional 2 part 2k automotive grade clear coat to hold up to the test of time. I would leave them in every time, because it holds the headlight secure while sanding and working them. Use good tape and take the time to mask well, and there are practically zero drawbacks to leaving in. Our headlights are fortunately a simple shape to work too.

I actually did my Porsche 911 headlights at the same time and those took much much more work. I can take those headlights out in about 5 minutes per side and still left them in for the same reasons.

BTW, I had a great time camping with a buddy of yours last weekend. Looking forward to future trips where we might cross paths!

Yes, small world! Hopefully we run into each other in a future trip.

Thanks for posting this, I never thought about covering the front clip to do this.

 

[Julian73]

I'm back from my Lotus cross country travel commitments and picked up the LC from EQ Autoworks in Tyler TX.
Work performed included proactive maintenance at ~ 87,000 miles

• Oil Change Mobil 5W-30 FS ESP w/ TRD PTR43-00081 Oil Filter (my private stock is running low); added Fumoto drain valve
• Iridium spark plugs
• Replaced Serpentine belt, water pump, idler pulley, tensioner, thermostat, upper & lower radiator hoses and cap along with coolant flush w/ Toyota SLLC
• Transmission fluid exchange w/ Toyota ATF WS
• F/R Differentials oil exchange w/ RedLine 75W-85 GL-5
• Transfer oil exchange w/ Redline MT-LV 70W/75W GL-4
• P/S Fluid replacement along w/ reservoir tank & rubber hose replacement
• Double flush; ATE Super Blues DOT 4 (old stock) followed by final fill w/ ATE SL.6 LV Class 6 DOT 4+ brake fluid

upgrades:

• F/R Brake work; DBA slotted 4000 T3 rotors, 42724S front, 42723S rear; 1838 SD front and 1857 SD rear pads (sourced from Slee), Slee SS brake lines (STF1009);
• Bilstein 6112/5160 shocks front on 2nd perch w/ Bilstein HD rear springs #53-297686 (220 lbs/in)
• SDHQ Hidden Winch Mount w/ Warn 12S Zeon Platinum, w/ Factor 55 Fairlead and loop protector
• 4 wheel alignment and KDSS leveling
• power washed under carriage and Fluid Film, black coating

Final Alignment angles: Front Camber 0.4 / 0.4 , Caster 2.4 / 2.4 , Toe 0.12 / 0.08 ; Rear camber -0.5 / -0.2 , Toe 0.12 / 0.03 , Thrust angle 0.05
Fender lip heights - full gas & 12.5 Aux, no cargo, empty kitchen sliders w/o fridge in place: 2.3 inch rake front down.
Orginal ....... New (inc winch).