Tacoma Exhaust Stain Problem

[tguil]

This has been an ongoing problem on all three of my wife's white Gen 2 Tacomas (2005, 2011 and 2015). We live on a gravel road and every winter we end up with a gritty stain on the fender above the exhaust pipe. I think that it is a mixture of exhaust condensation and dust. After ten years you would think that Toyota would have a fix for this. They don't.

Clay, solvents and polish do NOT remove the stain. It's almost like another layer of paint. . The only thing that has worked for me is to buff off the stain using Meguiar's Ultimate Compound applied with a three inch pad on a PC. Then I then apply a coat of Meguiar's Ultimate Wax. I do this a couple of times during the winter months. Anyone have a better idea? I don't want mess with changing the exhaust.

[Mike Honcho]

Clear bra, maybe?

[tguil]

Thought some about trying that. I'm a little concerned that heat might be a problem with the adhesive getting messed up. How hard are the bras to remove?

The truck is garaged every night and I'm thinking about keeping a bucket of ONR mix ready to use on the fender after every winter drive.

[AGOatemywallet]

Pictures Please

[draggnation]

Pictures Please

+1


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[FUNX650]

I don't want mess with changing the exhaust.

•But...Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

•And...Since there's only so much paint
back there that you can safely remove...
-Something like these are a possible solution:
Exhaust Tips - Round/Turndown Tip Shape - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing


Bob

[tguil]

Pictures Please

No pics right now. It's all cleaned up.

[tguil]

•But...Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

•And...Since there's only so much paint
back there that you can safely remove...
-Something like these are a possible solution:
Exhaust Tips - Round/Turndown Tip Shape - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing


Bob

I had to use compound numerous times on both the 2005 and 2012 Tacomas. Because the stain is only on the surface of the paint, I was able to stop using the compound before I hit the surface of the finish. No paint damage. The stain is almost like a "ceramic" coating on the surface. Dust mixed with warm moist exhaust. In the winter there is considerable moisture in the exhaust at start up and when it's really cold, the moist exhaust "pours out" for a considerable amount to time while driving. I do not have this problem in warm weather.

Toyota is aware of this problem but has not come up with a solution. The folks in my dealer's service department suggest waxing the area a lot. An AIO wax won't begin to clean up the stain.

About a down-turned exhaust tip. I haven't had one of those on a vehicle since 1960. Cool then but not so cool now. I will however check to see what a muffler shop can come up with.

[hollerstiltner]

You may look into having the turndown placed just after the exhaust crosses over the rear axle like some off-road vehicles do. That would avoid the looks of a turndown.

Also, seeing if you can get a sample of a paint coating, like cquartz, may help. They're reported to be very easy to clean and keeping things from sticking. I'd probably try that before the turndown idea.

Now you have me wanting to check my Tacoma more closely.

[tguil]

You may look into having the turndown placed just after the exhaust crosses over the rear axle like some off-road vehicles do. That would avoid the looks of a turndown.

Also, seeing if you can get a sample of a paint coating, like cquartz, may help. They're reported to be very easy to clean and keeping things from sticking. I'd probably try that before the turndown idea.

Now you have me wanting to check my Tacoma more closely.

Thanks for the suggestions. Any problems with exhaust fumes from having the turn down under the bed of the truck.

If you don't drive on dusty roads you may not have this problem.