*Note* This writeup will work for ANY vehicle interior. However, with the color and supplies used, it applies specifically to 87-89 4Runner interiors in the Gray color.

Toyota built the 4Runner very stout, and the drivetrain is one of the best. However, some of the interior components on 1st gen 4Runners leave much to be desired. One such part is the rear quarter trim.

Apparently Toyota didn't feel it necessary to make the panels colorfast, so after just a few years out in the sun and elements, they became faded and ugly. Even if you never took your top off, if the sun reached the panels, they faded. Toyota wanted well into the hundreds of dollars PER PANEL to replace these, and now, they are no longer available. This weekend, i decided to finally do something about these ugly panels. A trip to my local NAPA netted me a few starter chemicals.

First, i picked up some automotive prep clean spray:


Appears to be some sort of alcohol based spray, and it works really well at removing gunk and waxy buildup.

Next, I grabbed a can of Clear Polypropylene Plastic primer. Very important if you want paint to stick to plastic, and not crack like cheap spray paint.


Finally, i was able to get a can of SEM Bumper spray paint. Medium Gray, part number 39183. This matches the 87-89 Gray interiot color the best I was able to find. I did have to order it, as NAPA did not carry it in stock. I later learned WESCO Auto body supply carried it in stock.

 

First step in the process, is clean the surface. I didn't get any pictures of the cleaning process, but its best to use a clean lint-free rag to clean the surface.

This is how they looked after cleaning. Same as before, nasty and sunfaded:



You can see the staining even better here. Notice the runs in the color. I hunted around for an appropriate elevated device, and this old oil box seemed to work well:



Next, each panel will need a coat of Clear Polypropylene primer. When I sprayed the panels, the staining and fading seemed to almost go away, as if they knew of the impending DOOM!



I only applied one layer of primer. Since the paint is formulated to stick directly to plastic, i didn't feel the need to over do it. I also wanted to maintain the texture of the panels, and multiple coats or primer will distort the texture. Finally, i applied two coats of paint. Both light coats, but enough to cover the panel. Again, looking to maintain panel texture here.



After the two coats, i grabbed the storage door to compare how close the colors were. Pretty close, but not quite close enough for me.



I went ahead and painted the storage doors, and while I was at it the Top trim. This way everything matched. And once installed, here is how everything looks!




Excellent color match that should last a long time, and for a decent price to. All said and done, I paid less than $50 for materials and it looks brand new.

 

Pimp.

 

nice!!!!!
i noticed some interir pannels in my hilux the grey is kinda fading..
might have to give this a try.. didnt know they had a plastic primer to help the paint stick but it sounds and looks great

 

Josh, you should copy this to the Tech Article section too without the extra posts.

Good work on the interior.

 

Not 100% sure how to do that Corey, you'll have to show me

 

NICE......

SO uh...........


What you gonna do about that stain on the carpet?

 

Looks great!

just gotta clean the carpet now

 

sweet, i may have to try this!

 

Looks good 'Coug but you really need to herculine the back of that thing.. Carpet is getting really nasty..

 

If anyone has a really nice rear carpet they want to sell me, PM me. I have been looking for a mint rear carpet for some time now, but those are even harder to find than the panels!

 

lmao, I thought the same thing, "Wow, he did a good job on them panels, but that carpet? "

damn Cougar, looks great! I'm glad to see there's more people out there that know the procces and know how to handle a rattle-can

 

that looks great!

i just wish my panels hadn't fell apart....

 

wow! looks almost factory!!
haha as for the carpet - a pressure washer works quite well for that. I'm redoing the interior in a buddy's dodge ram 1500 p/u, I pulled the floor carpet out and pressure washed it. It took 90% of the mud, coffee and soda stains out! you just have to let it dry for a few days...

 

Looks Great prefect color match.......you don't really need the primer, some adhesion promoter which is pretty much the same thing will work better. some acetone on a rag will work just are good as that prep cleaner.

 

carpet does not actually look that bad. I ended up bed lining the rear of mine, but I saved the carpet up front. The rug doctor carpet cleaner with furniture attachment does wonders. It takes about six pass, but my carpet up front looks good as new.

 

Coug you are the man!!!!! Thanks for taking the time to post this since I'm hoping to start some work on the 89 and the panels are really jacked up.

 

Quit sucking up to the new mod, Junks!!!!!

 

Oh, go ahead and suck up. The 'Coug's ego is ever inflative. One day it will get so big he will smile and it will explode in a beautiful array of stars and rainbow colors.........much like the flag he waves.

 

BTw, nice write-up, 'Coug. If it still seems important, one day I may do this my doo-doo brown interior. I do like brown, though. I do, I do.