Factory/dealer ceramic coating? Did I get screwed?

Is Toyota going to repaint your truck for you ?

 

We will see after tomorrow. They will try the heat gun method I’m guessing. From there, either repaint the hood or get me a new hood with a scoop!

I learned a bit of a lesson, make the dealership wash the car before signing paperwork. But I guess you just figure it’s good paint or in great condition, considering only 22 miles when I got it.

 

Bought my 2019 TRD OR AC last week and my dealer wanted $700Cdn for paint protection that I think needed some sort of annual re application or something...I wasn't paying very close attention as my friend who used to sell cars told me that the protection plans and extended warranty is where the dealer makes lot of $, so don't buy them.

A local car detail-er is advertising online for paint protection for a pickup truck: $225Cdn. I plan on doing it myself with a couple of coats with Meguier's NXT Gen 2 synthetic polymer sealant. It won't last as long as the commercial application but will save me $$ hundreds.

 

False. Coatings from reputable companies (Carpro, Gyeon, Kamikaze, Gtechnic, 22ple, etc...) can and will last for multiple years if maintained properly.

Also false. While dish soaps can remove waxes and some sealants, they will not remove good coatings.


I have used coatings and sealants from multiple companies (as well as numerous waxes). If you're willing to do the maintenance washes and generally take care od your truck, a reputable 'ceramic coating' can be worth the $$ (especially if you're capable of correcting and applying yourself).

 

@bacollier90

Here you go.

 

Some folks said these things, but I'll back them up. I kind of doubt they gave you a free of charge ceramic coating. The honest-to-goodness ceramic coatings are anything but cheap. Last car I had it done to was $1400. Just the coating alone can be $100 for a one application bottle. Paint correction has to be done before application. That itself can take a day or two depending on how bad the paint is. And a reputable ceramic coating can last for years. It is well worth the cost. I could do a simple wash and dry on my car and it looked like I had spent all day on it. Dirt didn't build up as fast and it protected the paint from scratches and swirls. Removing it requires a polisher of some kind. No hand-washing that I know of can remove it.

With all that said, if they did actually do something that spots could be from them screwing up the application. There are some cheaper options for coatings that are biased to the DIY dudes. Screwing it up can make little spots on the paint. Removing them requires a polisher.

It could also just have been water marks. Sometimes it requires a little elbow grease to get them out if they've etched into the paint.

 

What makes me crazy about that TSB, is that it covers every Toyota vehicle since 2010.

Is it safe to say that Rapgard is a big fail? Is it about time for a new formulation?

 

From what I can see Rapgard is not a consumer-level product. It's the white sheeting you see on cars when they're in transport. Which leads me to believe that when the crap is removed nobody is even looking. It gets washed in the wash bay and put out in the lot.

https://testing-public.carmd.com/Tsb/Download/37639/tsb97-09-01

 

Yes, I mean formulation of the white saran wrap. From what I see, it is a Japanese product? Almost all mfg's use it. It is supposed to be removed immediately upon arrival at the dealer when vehicle is offloaded. I have have seen many a dealer back lot with Rapgard on vehicles still in inventory. The stuff probably has a limited useful protective time before harmful effects occur.

 

Looks to be made be made by a company called Nitto. I couldn't tell if they were related to the tire folks or not. I'm at work so I can't sit and research the crap out of anything. I know nothing about this stuff, but if you read the link I posted it says not to remove it until the car is transferring to the customer. So I dunno.

 

The heat gun did not work on the spots on the hood of my truck. The service MGR said he could’ve kept going to see if it would have evaporated but that could have damaged the paint from excessive heat. So he called corporate and spoke with the regional service rep and recommended new paint for the hood to him. I have to meet with this regional rep next week so he can make a product report and get it set up from there.

Based on that, this isn’t moisture, not sure if the wrap is the cause in this case. Who knows what this is, perhaps hard water deposit, but you can’t feel any abrasive or lip on the areas where this is.

I’ll report back after speaking with the regional rep.

 

I'd be hesitant to let them paint it. I'm willing to bet it can be polished out by a reputable detailer. Not the one they have working in back. And not one you have working at the local Embassy Autowash. You'd probably have to track one down and see if they'd foot the cost. With a polish that actually cuts and someone that knows what they're doing it can be done. They may even have to wetsand a little. Toyota paint is soft and easy to work with to remove imperfections. If you want to go this route I may be able to find you a detailer. It really depends on where you are, etc.

 

Yeah.. Read it. Can't believe they want it on until delivery? Go figure?? Probably less parking lot scratches?

 

I guess. On this truck they didn't remove it until the deal was done. They missed a bunch of residue on the roof. And oh my goodness, look at those factory installed paint swirls!

 

They took it to a body shop last time for the wet sand detail, same shop they would take it to for paint if I bring it back to them for the work. Dealership is 60 miles from me, so from here I’ll be going to my local dealership.

There were other imperfections (swirls, and a few light scuffs) in the paint as well that were removed when the body shop had it. And you could feel that it was wet sand, had that smooth as glass feel. I made comments about the roof looking like it needed a good polish and they took care of that as well.

If you know of detail shops in my area, I can take it to them to get their opinion, but I don’t think it’s coming out. And I don’t want to let it go in fear of the paint not holding up over the long night term.

 

They wetsanded it and it still didn't come out?? Okay, this may be a bit more serious. What's your area and I'll see if I can dig up a detailer?

 

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Thanks for your help.

Yes, I was told wet sand. Unless they used an aggressive polish, they wet sanded. The hood and roof looked great. I have done some correction on my own with my older vehicles and have seen the difference with good tools and products. An orbital machine works wonders with a polish step process. There were no swirls and the scuffs were gone.

Both the service manager and new car manager were out with me talking about how they were going to approach this when it was done two weeks ago.

 

Try Haute Details or Diamond Detail.

http://www.hautedetails.com/

http://www.diamonddetailabq.com/

 

@crashdb

Why would you be hesitant for paint to be done? Especially if I mentioned the best auto body shop in the state and the service mgr agreed that’s the place to take it? I know it’s not factory but these days, the process from the top of the line shops is just as good, no?

Just curious for your thoughts. Thanks for the links to the detailers as well. Much appreciated.

 

Mostly because the dealership is involved. I have little trust for them. Although it does sound like they've attempted to take care of you. I also worry about the level of work from the body shop. If it's a well regarded shop and you feel comfortable with them I say go for it.