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Blaine Hironaka
New User
Aug 20, 2014, 2:19 PM
Post #1 of 7
(2080 views)
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Truck cleanup advice
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Hey guys, I just got my first vehicle, and it's my dad's old farm truck from my grandparents' (southern Alberta) . It's a 1977 GMC Sierra Grande. (Thats all I know off the top of my head, I"ll ask if you need more info). It had been sitting under a tree for a few years, and only had minimal use for a long time before that. It runs well enough that we could drive it back to our house from where we were keeping just outside of town. (Speedometer is not working right, needs new tires BAD). My dad's best friend is a mechanic, so I don't really need help with those things. It has leaves and tree gunk all over/inside it, and is understandably very dirty. That's what I need help with- cleaning it up. So if anyone could recommend me some cleaning supplies or techniques, that would be awesome!
I just took some pictures, but I don't think this site lets me post them?
Edit- I just tried the site that the upload images button takes you to, wouldn't accept pics from my ipad.
(This post was edited by Blaine Hironaka on Aug 20, 2014, 2:38 PM)
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 20, 2014, 3:02 PM
Post #2 of 7
(2066 views)
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Re: Truck cleanup advice
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Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Aug 20, 2014, 3:04 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 20, 2014, 10:22 PM
Post #3 of 7
(2052 views)
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Re: Truck cleanup advice
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Depends on type or dirt. Pitch and paint careful to not harm paint if any good. Safe with most with good old WD-40, one edge razor for windows.
Trip with this after sitting so long! Bring stuff with you and expect trouble. Do fresh oil change 1st. Wiper blades, extra oils, coolant, tires full of air, spare ok and a good plan B to finish the run. Fuel could be an issue as well.......
Plain Windex can do interior things pretty well then Lysol for any mold.
Speedometer may just need cable lubed. Comes out from dash end and b*tchy to get it out and I think tricky if automatic to get the pointer back to point at correct spot but doable. Some you can reach thru dash pad top thru a speaker. Need to pinch connection at back of speedometer to release it and must be pushed back on such that it's aligned and can spin cable from transmission end if needed,
T
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Blaine Hironaka
New User
Aug 21, 2014, 3:50 AM
Post #4 of 7
(2043 views)
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Re: Truck cleanup advice
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Hey thanks for the help guys. I went to Canadian tire today and bought some cleaning supplies. Now how about the paint? There are some large parts peeling off around the back wheel wells; what can I do about that? The truck isn't really worth the money for a brand new paint job...
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 21, 2014, 4:34 AM
Post #5 of 7
(2041 views)
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Re: Truck cleanup advice
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Paint may be damaged by the elements permanently or rust more apt around wheel wells but maybe not. You can make it look better cheaply if not rusted out or thru metal just carefully tape off a ring around wheel wells and paint with a semi-flat black for decent looking but going on last run at looks really.
IMO, 99% of DIY body and paint just makes a real good job by pros that much harder so last try and can redo that if it doesn't last as long as you want easily.
Truck stuff goes on forever it seems. Large wheel well protective plastic guards and things readily available. Part metal of panels, rocker panels in door jams aftermarket to weld, screw or rivet over real holes for last ditch stuff as wanted or needed.
Like many trucks and cars too rust if they salt roads (not a cold weather problem - salts) kills these as fast as any. Do check the critical frame parts and mounting areas. Decide fix with help or decide it's time to give up - your call on what it is and what it would take cost wise vs overall condition and expected life after a fix like those if applicable at all.
Just more on a sitting vehicle: Make sure brakes are OK all around for rust as sitting pads (front) or shoes (back) will rust differently where they sat vs parts of those that were more exposed. Could be OK or not or just a few stops be fine? Check parking brake works and releases totally too.
Have fun and good luck both cleaning up and mechanical surprises that are almost certain but might not be so hard on this,
T
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Blaine Hironaka
New User
Aug 21, 2014, 3:26 PM
Post #6 of 7
(2020 views)
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Re: Truck cleanup advice
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Thanks alot Tom. The paint is coming off pretty bad around the wheel well, so I might see if I can just cover it up witha new wider wheel well. But the black paint is also a good idea; going with that saves me having to try and match the colour. Not sure how to mark this as resolved or whatever, but +1 to, if thats a thing here 
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 22, 2014, 3:04 AM
Post #7 of 7
(2009 views)
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Re: Truck cleanup advice
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Good luck. Check out on line or custom places that might be near you for truck/van/camper/RV assorted stuff. You'll never match paint if faded or chalky would do the whole vehicle and you said you didn't want to go that far at all.
To close out thread I'll lock it. YOU can ask for it to be re-opened by any moderator upon request or start another if something comes up or a new subject of course just start another,
Tom
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