A few questions on keeping my '96 celica in order

[circleTheory]

I was just going to post a few things here that have come up with my vehicle currently that i was wanting advice on fixing if at all possible.

Firstly and I know its likely pointless by comparison to the rest, the paint. Its flat white and generally looks good from afar, but it's starting to come up in patches where i believe the clear coat has worn away. The result is that fingermarks have appeared on and around the door handles and on the bonnet. Other stains mark the paintwork too and I was wondering whether A) the can be cleaned without ruining the paint that's still there and B ) what is the most appropriate product to use to avert this happening again should i meet success cleaning it.

Secondly, My passenger side outer headlight is for all intents and purposes, busted. The cheapo plastic brackets that hold it to the chassis have eroded to the point of snapping clean off in both visible sections it is anchored in there and I have literally 0% guarantee a seconds part from a prominent Adelaide wreckers premises (at the measly sum of $220 +) wont do the same thing given time. The way the outer headlights in this type of car are bracketed in place come across as incredibly flimsy thus my concern. CMI Toyota in the Adelaide CBD advise at least $900 for a lens and cover replacement (New, according to the rep but i'm not sure on that) and specialist Toyota wreckers don't have any ST204 parts readily available to even advise on price so my question here is whether A) aftermarket kits exist as a viable workaround B ) I'm being given the runaround for price, or C) a possible homemade remedy is available to fix it?

Thirdly, My chrome 17" rims. Just a cleanliness issue really. Steel wool ive heard is the go for keeping them in order but i doubt thats all there is to keeping them from becoming pitted and flaky. Any ideas as to products or specifics thereof?

Fourth and finally, the cam cover, EFI casing and engine bay cleanliness. For some reason, strangely due to the apparent history of the vehicle, it all appears abnormally worn. The cam cover is chalky to the touch, the EFI is a few steps behind and the rest is rather grimy. A good pressure clean should get rid of some of this but i must ask, is any of this normal for a vehicle that has only done 136k on the clock, been used by an elderly gentleman who kept it fastidiously immaculate mechanically and aesthetically for the past 8 years and has been left idle in a driveway for extended periods of the year? It doesnt make much sense to me but then again I could be worrying about nothing much at all or have a rather inadequate understanding of either how engines become filthy over time or the previous owner's actual extent of care. Whichever it may be, i'm not sure but can it be cleaned to any measure of success with specific product or is it just better to try something else?

Any or all answers to my issues above would be greatly appreciated if anybody finds the time to post them,

Cheers guys.

Edited January 11, 2012 by circleTheory

[woot woot]

I do know that the lights on the 204 are around that price and wreckers no that also, so they do not go cheap. JDM projector ones can be had for close to 1000 last time i heard some one discusiing it. Pics would be helpful as people might be able to help if show exactly what needs doing.

I know not really helpful though.

Cheers

Jo

[Gibbo184]

Hi there as far as the paintwork and rims go the paint depends on how far gone it is in general you could use a swirl remover to try and remove this but if its worse then a cut and polish something a bit more "rough" I work at supercheap and we have a range of meguires that have an indicator on the bottle so you can choose accordingly so dont quote me it all depends on the state of the paint

as for the rims steel wool can be used to get rust off but it needs to be the finest grade of steel wool and use warm soapy water if you go "rough" it will scratch them up bad either way if you can avoid using the steel wool do so if it has no rust you could stick to a good clean while your washing your car (with car wash) with a seperate Mitt/sponge/pad then either Mothers or Meguires Mag wheel polish to shine and somewhat protect them

Rough meaning co.ar.se.

hope that helps

Dave