Hilux restoration

[Rich h]

Hi all

I am undergoing my first restoration of a Toyota hilux, but I am having trouble cleaning the axial and gear box I have tried various methods mentioned on the forum and web but can't get that dull clean finish of he original

Can anyone advise

Regards rich

[Tamiya1/10]

more elbow grease or use those sonic or tumber type cleaner. That is one reason i do not like restoration works...but the results are worth it...sort off...maybe...:-D

[bruiserbuilder]

what methods are you using? how dirty are they?

have you tried engine degreaser to remove the grime and a simple sos pad to shine the pot metal?

[KEV THE REV]

I used a Dremmel and pads for large areas, along with a ton of cotton buds / metal polish and MacDonalds wooden coffee stirers with a rag wrapped around them for awkward areas

see my truck :-

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=79187&id=5280

[Rich h]

Hi guys

They are not really dirty just discoloud, So far I have tried a dremmel with a wire brush but this just marks it, bead blasting works great on the metal parts but pits the cast parts, And a dremmel and pads with autosol polish shines it up like crome

Interesting about the tumbler media, I have a bullet case tumbler with walnut media in it for cleaning brass bullet cases would this work?

I am not looking for a bright shinny finish just a nice clean one

[KEV THE REV]

The bright polished look will dull in time but still look clean

[Shodog]

Keep in mind it's hard to get back that original finish because it is inexpensive pot metal. The best results I've seen were done by media blasting with baking soda or crushed walnuts.

Polishing looks nice but it's hard to get all the areas and it doesn't last long as it will oxidize quickly.

[Rich h]

Thanks for all the advice guys, your hilux looks great Kev

[bruiserbuilder]

I usually nickle plate or chrome plate the pot metal parts when I restore a truck for someone.