Paint Quality Problem

Has anyone had any problems with paint quality? I have a 2012 Toyota Prerunner Sport, with dark grey exterior. It seems to be scratching up like crazy. I have only had it 3 months. Looking terrible already. Have waxed it which didn't help. Called dealership where I bought it and they said dark colors scratch easy. My 2000 Silverado was also dark grey and 12 years later still looked good.
Any suggestions on what to do?

 

Yes, the paint is shit. It chips if you breathe on it.

 

+1 on the paint sucking. The paint on my 2011 (pyrite mica) is super thin and chips like crazy. By comparison the paint on our 99 pre-runner still looks pretty good.

Check out the detail thread for advice on products.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/detailing/

Get it clean, clay bar, paint sealer and top wax will help with the scratching. I am OCD about paint which causes me a lot of grief because I do use my truck to get to some pretty remote fishing spots. Keeping up on the wax helps lessen the scratches but there is nothing you can do to prevent the chips.

 

i know its not a direct comparison, but i agree my 2010 taco paint is crap... but i find the paint on my 2006 scion to be even poorer... chipping isn't even the right word.

 

Is this something Toyota will warranty? I've got a 2012 as well with the same issues.. Got my paint chip repair guy on speed dial.. My 2005 didn't chip near as bad

 

I will let you know what Toyota says.. I left a message with Toyota the other day.. they haven't gotten back to me yet. I am going to be presistent though for sure.

 

I'm having the same problem with my 2012 Silverado, even though I'll be trading it in for a Tacoma here very soon . It seems paint quality has gone down the drain in recent years across the board. First thing I'll be doing when I get my Tacoma is paying the money to have it 3M clear film lined all the way around. It's a little pricey (~$1,000 for the whole truck) but well worth it if you plan on keeping the truck long term.

 

taco 2011 white and my 4 doors will be repaint on warranty.

 

there repainting your whole truck?

 

paint on my 09 is crap also, very thin, scratches when i talk about going in the bush practically, small branches somehow make it through the clear and color and leave nice white'ish lines way way too easily. i like my tacoma but i hate it just as much.

 

Damn, I thought it was just me. Chipped the paint on the edge of rear door 2 days in. Noticed yesterday that part on the bottom of my doorframe (next to the plastic trim) is scratched already. Had the truck 2 weeks.

I'm going to have to get some of that spray on car bra and treat a few high traffic areas to see if it can help.

 

Toyota has been very unhelpful.. Dealership level says there is not a problem that dark colors scratch easily, won't send a factory rep to look at it. Love the way my tacoma runs and drives, but this will be my last. They act like Chevrolet used to , arrogant, and like you have to buy their product.. well I don't and wont again.

 

Sorry to hear that Tommiez. I will be honest and tell you that unless there is an actual defect in he paint itself, The dealership is not going to be able to help. Chips and scratches are typically signs of contact with another object. Not always the case, but is the typical cause. This is of course out of the hands of warranty. Scratches are very easy to show up. I have a custom paint job on my truck, and even as thick as it is (Which is still thin when you actually measure it) scratches show up on the finish ALL the time. I just keep it clean and do my best to polish it as I can. To clarify what the dealership was trying to tell you though: Dark colors do not scratch easier, they SHOW scratches easier. When the surface coat (AKA clear coat) is scratches, even lightly, it tends to become "flat" in the shine at the point of the scratch. Darker colors tend to show this flatness easier than light colors. That is part of the reason that many business vehicles and fleet vehicles are usually white. Dirt shows up less, and scratches show up less.

Some clears are a bit more durable than others, and resist scratches better.

 

you sound like you work for Toyota..lol.. I had a 2000 Silverado and it was bullet proof.. you could touch the paint and it would still be ok.. it takes almost anything to scratch it.. I think the clear coat is inferior.. I have had about 75 vehicles and nothing has ever been this easy to scratch..I have had black, dark grey, cheap acrylic paint.. still nothing like this.. so yes, it is contact with a object, but if you walk by it and your pants touch the paint, then you have a scratch.. for 29k it should just be a little better quality.. I think the arrogance is the same that GM used to have so bad.. they just figure brand loyality was all the need to keep a customer.. Toyota makes mechanically a great product... dependable, but bidding the paint to the lowest bid is not a way to keep customers. I think GM used to use the general public to test products.. and maybe that is what they are doing now with paint

 

nope only the 4 doors because of the rust

 

In my experience, it took about a year for the paint on my SWB tacoma to cure completely.

During the first summer, I was concerned that it would all chip off in five or six years. I bought a bottle of touch-up paint and tried to keep up with the chips.

In the two and a half years since that first year, I've not had nearly as many chips.

 

Figured I'd bump this thread, instead of starting a new one. Yes, the paint does indeed scratch very easily. And, it's especially noticeable on the dark colors. This is disappointing, to say the least.

 

No issues with paint. Pretty happy with it. Suppose I'm in the minority.

 

I have a black sand pearl 2008 and yes paint is not the greatest. I have plenty of imperfections now. After the first few ones, i guess you learn to live with them.

Not only that, but i have a bunch of little dings and dents that i am going to try to get fixed by a PDR place.

 

Just so you know the paint on your car isn't toyota paint.... All car manufacturers share the same suppliers. Toyota,ford and bmw will all use Dupont and chevy, kia, and Chrysler will use PPG. yes it can be applied differently but most cars share the same paint and application technique