Paint longevity

Hey guys, wanted to gather some opinions from the forum on just how bad it is on the paint to be parking your Tacoma outside often. Currently, my SR is garaged nightly/during my days off so the summer heat isn't baking it, but once I go 2.5" lift and my new Prinsu rack that is on it's way, I won't clear my garage door frame and i'll have to park outside.

Curious what you gentlemen with a good sized lift/tires who can't fit into your standard garage do to keep your paint looking top notch while parking outside all the time. All my vehicles have always been garaged so I hate it, but not much of a choice.

 

I have a white ‘06 that the hood started peeling after 4 years or so outdoors. No garaging. I still own it. Had Maaco put their best paint job on there at 10 years and all is good. My ‘17 is going to have the same life I suspect. Sits in the same location and never garaged. The wife’s car enjoys the garage!

 

The paint will last as long as you want it too... you just have to put the time and money into it.

 

Apply a good sealant/wax combo. I recommend Powerlock and Collonite 845 on your roof just before summer and follow up with Collonite 845 again in 6 mos. Collonite us a great wax with UV inhibitors.

Another good combo is Rustolem Factor 4 sealant wax, then wait a few days and apply Collonite 845.

 

My 02 Tacoma with Super white was pristine the day I sold it a few months ago. All I ever used was Nufinish. The roof of the topper did not hold up though, after 16yrs the Evercoat paint started to degrade.

 

Good lookin Tacoma!

 

My garage door is 83" high, and with 2" lift there is still plenty of clearance.

 

Although brittle w/ regard to scratches, MGM is fairly impervious to the elements, many corollas out there that have never encountered soap with minimal clear-coat damage as proof.

I wash mine with Optimum no rinse & wax maybe twice a month.

 

Original paint mostly parked outside 1992.

 

Depends on how well you take care of it. Both my Tacomas always stay outside.
My '96 paint is 23 years old and still looks pretty good. Use Meguiars products regularity and your paint will last quite a while.

 

Keep the paint protected from the elements and it will last. I like a synthetic product for longevity on vehicles that don't get garaged, personally I use Klasse all in one, it's an acrylic product that I apply twice a year, spring and fall, with an application of spray wax after each wash, every 3 or 4 weeks in the nice weather.

For a garaged vehicle, a carnauba wax gets the best shine, but I don't want to apply wax every 4-6 weeks on my truck.

And don't go through car washes with brushes. Especially with darker colors.

 

Appreciate the info, your 1st gen looks damn good for her age!

I’m not sure mine is 83” but I’ll go measure right now, I don’t live in a house - apartment that has a connected garage. Plus, I’m adding the Prinsu rack with the lift so we will see, maybe I’ll get lucky.

That’s good to know MGM is a sturdy color then and makes me feel a little better about leaving her outside if need be. I’ll definitely be applying wax now though and keeping an eye on the paint.

 

Approximately how many inches do you between the door and Tacoma?

 

About a foot

 

Another thing to consider are the headlight lens. My neighbors always park outside facing south and I think the summer sun is hard on the plastic lens.

 

I miss my 91 Toyota truck

 

Best truck ever made

 

Have you considered buying a quality cover for your truck?

https://www.empirecovers.com/

A cover will protect the paint, keep the sun from fading/damaging your interior, rubber seals around the windows, etc., etc.

Ed

 

I have waxed the headlights on my 2004 Legacy twice a year and they still look almost new.

 

Here in Canada, a lot of us Canucks get our vehicles Rustproofed yearly. It also protects the frame from rust. This helps the paint immensely!!