Looks good! Did you use water in the engine bay? If so, did you cover the alternator and battery?
What have you done to your 200 Series this week? (27 Viewers)
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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.
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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.
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/
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/
Nice! Before/after pics or didn’t happen!
teejnut
SILVER Star
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.
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!
teejnut
SILVER Star
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
SILVER Star
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
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).
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 Blue DOT 4 (old stock) followed by final fill w/ ATE SL.6 LV Class 6 DOT 4+ brake fluid
- 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
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).
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Hidden winch looks great! They cut the hole perfectly.
Julian73
SILVER Star
Thanks. Perfect no, but it passes the walk by eye test.. may help that car is black with reduced contrast. While the SDHQ comes with a template for their own fairlead, its application to the Factor 55 version required some winging it.
I think it looks great. Is there room for some rubber trim similar to the stuff that gets used when we cut fenders/bumpers? That stuff covers all the imperfections from our hacking!
Julian73
SILVER Star
I may do that some time. Was my orginal intent, but I didn't have the material on hand. I will have to do a bit of clearancing.I think it looks great. Is there room for some rubber trim similar to the stuff that gets used when we cut fenders/bumpers? That stuff covers all the imperfections from our hacking!
Dropped off some Tundra 18" wheels with NVCoatings in Chantilly Va for satin black treatment. BFGKO3s ordered from TireRack and incoming to the shop for a complete look/feel/capability upgrade.
The Kuhmo Crugen 71s on 20s are going to the basement. I might eventually add some other rubber to those (Michelin Defenders?) for a road trip tire, but who knows. For now, to the basement!
The Kuhmo Crugen 71s on 20s are going to the basement. I might eventually add some other rubber to those (Michelin Defenders?) for a road trip tire, but who knows. For now, to the basement!
How was the install in the drawers? Any noise from the drawers?
Have these on my list of parts to purchase.
I work on people, not vehicles, so I had a place near me install. Took them a few hours. There is some noise with start/stop only. Some foam tape or maybe a decent magnet placed strategically may prevent the bit of rocking "bump" sound. Its really not bad, just noticeable. You can get the drawers now, but the wing kit hardware is a backorder item.
I have had these drawers for 3-4 years now and can tell you they are terrible. I’m going to get a set of Goose Gear at some point.
- They don’t lock in the out position which is maddening
- The plastic latches that hold the wings closed stripped out. I ended up replacing with steel boat latches
- The wings rattle all the time. I have to re-tighten them a couple times per year which is a pain because you have to pull the tops off the drawers and then pull the stops and roll them out of the way.
