Natural White revitalization thread

[Millerad1651]

About a month ago there was a thread that discussed our white runners, and their single stage paint. It has no clear coat, but can still become dingy and chalky.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/113336-so-toyota-white-one-layer-paint.html

I decided to spend last weekend taking care of this. The paint looked clean, but I knew that it had become dull over the years. I wanted to clean, compound, polish, and wax it...the whole 9 yards.

First step was removing the roof rack, spoiler and mounts, fender flares, and the dealership sticker. You can see the mess under the roof rack, and the color difference where the spoiler and sticker was.

sticker

after sticker removal

I first washed it, then I took a clay bar to every surface. Then I took Meguiar's Ultimate compound and used a 10" orbital buffer
Roof during process...can see the old marks still after clay barring

After I did the compound, I polished with Meguiar's gold class polish, then did a top coat of Meguiar's Ultimate Caranuba Wax.

Here is the roof after

And here is where the sticker was...can't even tell anymore

I'm still in the process of painting the flares, but I repainted the spoiler and put it back on. I also put the roof rack on, but left the cross bars...I don't use them and it'll keep dirt from accumulating.

It took me about 7-8 hrs total from start to finish. It was definitely worth it though, it looks so much better. And it feels like glass. I tried to pull the hatch down and my hand slipped and smacked me in the head!

Not too bad for a 14 yr old truck.

 

[T4R2014]

Those are some very nice before and afters. I'm pretty sure the only colors available on the 3rd Gen as single stage were Black, Natural White, and Cardinal Red. IMO I prefer single stage, they buff out really nice even after years of neglect and no clear coat to worry about peeling.

BTW, what got the dirt off the best from the roof? I removed the 3 center bars and I really haven't detailed mine properly yet but the dirt marks are still in the paint months later even after multiple washes. I'm thinking clay bar will cut through it easy.

 

[durrell]

Yeah, my Natural White 4Runner shined up nice. My Desert Dune looks cloudy and neglected even after multiple wax jobs.

 

[Hepar]

Nice work. I bet it FEELS so silky smooth. I just did that to mine and just love how my hand glides across it.

 

[Millerad1651]

Those are some very nice before and afters. I'm pretty sure the only colors available on the 3rd Gen as single stage were Black, Natural White, and Cardinal Red. IMO I prefer single stage, they buff out really nice even after years of neglect and no clear coat to worry about peeling.

BTW, what got the dirt off the best from the roof? I removed the 3 center bars and I really haven't detailed mine properly yet but the dirt marks are still in the paint months later even after multiple washes. I'm thinking clay bar will cut through it easy.

The clay bar helped some, but the biggest difference came with the compound and orbital buffer. I used moderate pressure, and just went over it a couple times. I got the cross bar marks completely off, and about 90% of the main rails. I was happy with it.
And yes, I'm glad I don't have a clear coat to worry about. My last truck was black and had started to peel. I did my wife's Escape on Sunday, and it was a little more difficult with the clearcoat.

Nice work. I bet it FEELS so silky smooth. I just did that to mine and just love how my hand glides across it.

Thanks. Ya, its smooth as hell. Like I said, I went to grab the hatch and my hand slipped smacking me in the head. My mom leaned into the driver's window last night and her arms slipped down the side.

 

[farmerjon]

About a month ago there was a thread that discussed our white runners, and their single stage paint. It has no clear coat, but can still become dingy and chalky.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/113336-so-toyota-white-one-layer-paint.html

I decided to spend last weekend taking care of this. The paint looked clean, but I knew that it had become dull over the years. I wanted to clean, compound, polish, and wax it...the whole 9 yards.

First step was removing the roof rack, spoiler and mounts, fender flares, and the dealership sticker. You can see the mess under the roof rack, and the color difference where the spoiler and sticker was.

sticker

after sticker removal

I first washed it, then I took a clay bar to every surface. Then I took Meguiar's Ultimate compound and used a 10" orbital buffer
Roof during process...can see the old marks still after clay barring

After I did the compound, I polished with Meguiar's gold class polish, then did a top coat of Meguiar's Ultimate Caranuba Wax.

Here is the roof after

And here is where the sticker was...can't even tell anymore

I'm still in the process of painting the flares, but I repainted the spoiler and put it back on. I also put the roof rack on, but left the cross bars...I don't use them and it'll keep dirt from accumulating.

It took me about 7-8 hrs total from start to finish. It was definitely worth it though, it looks so much better. And it feels like glass. I tried to pull the hatch down and my hand slipped and smacked me in the head!

Not too bad for a 14 yr old truck.

GORGEOUS TRUCK!

As you know, I have a Natural White, and I really relate, I've seen that mess under my roof rack, I need to get this truck cleaned up too... It looks great!

 

[benedict1337]

I used the clay bar on my natural white about a month ago I thought my hood was gonna need repainted but man was there a huge difference. It took me about 5-6 hours to do my whole runner. It was well worth it thou. Put a coat of wax on top my paint is still nice and smooth after a month of off roading

 

[that$pit]

Lucky on the marks coming off, I've done mine twice (clay bar, 2 stage wax and buff, final wax), silky smooth but still have marks from where I pulled the emblems off the back. Looks kinda cool though, like it

 

[masphx]

Very nice! I would love to see your 4R right next time mine. It looks amazing! It's nice having the single layer paint like I discover in that post you linked. Unfortunately for my truck the previous owner a long time ago 'bumped' into something. Seems the upper driver door panel was epoxied (above the window) and both driver door and fender were re-painted. I think they put a clear coat on it of something because it is chipping off now. The paint is not fogged like the rest of the truck in the repaint area. This is stopping me from doing the whole clay bar and wax thing. Just afraid that side won't match.

Its getting upwards of 110 degrees here so no crazy waxing jobs for the next few months unless its for the Z. I guess I have time to figure it out because I would love to do this job on the 4R. Maybe buy a donor nature white fender and door?

Anyway, looks great and love your post about people commenting on your rig at the Super Bowl.

Mason

 

[Millerad1651]

Thanks man. You may still try the clay bar...it works on all paints to help take the contaminants off. Counldn't hurt.

I finished painting the flares and put them back on today. She looks like a brand new woman!

And the repainted spoiler and bumper trim

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Looks great man, nice work.

 

[HedgehogOutdoors]

When you washed it, how did you keep the water from going into the holes? That's what I'm worried about.

 

[Millerad1651]

I just put the screws back in. For the small amoun of water used for washing, it wasn't a problem.

 

[broncosi]

Why don't you get the front mudflaps from toy of texas?

 

[HedgehogOutdoors]

I gotcha, thanks again. I'll get around to doing it eventually, I'd like to take care of my rust spots soon, too.

 

[Millerad1651]

Why don't you get the front mudflaps from toy of texas?

I'm going to . Just hasn't been a priority thus far. Plan on doing a lot to her in the coming months.

 

[jmildoc]

Looks real good! cant wait to see it in person!

 

[JasetheDamager]

Came out looking great! I wish my evergreen pearl was a single-stage paint. After all the money I spent dong maintenance, upgrades, lift, and tires, I still have peeling clear coat on the roof and hood, which detract from my truck's overall appearance. One of these days...

 

[Mellow77]

Looks great! What a difference a TLC makes. Thanks for documenting the process as well. I've never done something like this and now I'm going to give it a try.

 

[Millerad1651]

Thanks for the compliments guys. It was definitely the most work I've put into any of my vehicles. But I want this one to last, so it's got to be done. I plan on doing this once a year, with clay/waxing in between. That should keep the paint smooth and shiny.