Whats the deal with cheap Toyota paint?

Very true cash is king, I definitely believe that. There are lots of things I’ve gotten great prices on cause I was rolling the green paper.

 

I use paste wax twice a year. Constant sun and exposure. There is a lot to be said for using good wax, even on modern paint. No issues with pealing, but the color is getting lighter. Truck is 17 years old.

 

Have the same with the hood and roof on my gen 1. Cant see spending the money on a nice paint job just to enhance it with desert pin striping. Leaning more towards raptor lining it for a few hundred bucks, and a lot of labor.

 

Hey since you're thinking of doing this I'll throw in some more details. I'm in the middle of fixing a fender so am up to date on this for now. At first, I disliked duplicolor paint because it seemed really weak an would scrape off with a fingernail. Then I found/read you have to sand with 800 (not finer, too slick for poor adhesion) before putting it down so it sticks mechanically and also that you have to not let it dry for more for 2 hrs between coats or wait >5 days for it to properly cure between coats. That is, if you wait say a day between coats the last one is partially cured and the next one will not properly adhere. You also have to work with the surface tension of duplicolor, for my cans at least it makes 3D drops when sprayed and you have to add enough for all the drops to connect and pull itself into a single smooth liquid layer. I guess this is logical, but had to think about it first time and now just expect it. Now that I'm used to it, I actually really like duplicolor as it is hard when sprayed correctly and allowed to cure for a week- it doesn't pick off with a fingernail at all and when wetsanded up to 2000-3000, gives a mirror-like color finish under that 2K clear coat. I started with rustoleum clear coat from home depot and ended up sanding it off. Not only was it yellow, but was easily scratched off even after curing 2 weeks and dirt tended to stick to it and show, even after wetsanding up to 3000 grit.

Also I found the blue plastic razor blades that house painters use are perfect to clean up the failed clear coat at the edges. They scrape similarly to the edge of a credit card, but the plastic is harder and they are sharp enough that they actually cut the clear coat layer unlike a credit card that just peels it back more in comparison.

If you have a full assortment of wet or dry I guess the magic erasers aren't necessary, but they are another piece of the puzzle of tools I am using to try to get things right. I get the extra-strength ones that don't fall apart as fast from home depot. They seem better for cleanup of the edges of the failed clearcoat than using sandpaper.

Some quick links for what is working for me:
2k clearcoat

$25 Spray max USC 2k High Gloss Clearcoat Aerosol

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0043B7UQY/
Use a respirator good for organic vapors with this. It emits cyanide.

3M flexible wetordry backing pad, works perf

$9 3M Wetordry Sponge Pad 20, 05526, 5-1/2 in x 2-3/4 in x 3/8 in, Flexible, Long Lasting, Automotive Sponge, Black

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PEPCGI/

blue plastic razor blades to work edges of failed clear coat

$9 MINISCRAPER 100 Pack Plastic Razor Blades Double Edged Polycarbonate

https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Razor-Blades-Double-Polycarbonate/dp/B00LBDLKYK/

Wetordry assortment up to 1k grit

$10 3M Wetordry 9-in x 11-in Sandpaper Sheet with Assorted Grit Sizes, White (03021)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CQ49X6/

Wetordry assortment up to 2500 grit

$6 3M Wetordry™ Sandpaper, 5 Sheets, 3-2/3 in x 9 in, Assorted Grits (1000 / 1500 / 2000 / 2500), Use for Wet and Dry Sanding, Longer Lasting Sandpaper, Great for Auto Body Repair, Smooth Finish (03006)

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Wetordry-Sandpaper-03006-Assorted/dp/B005JPGTNI/

 

I’ve come across to many used cars that I would’ve bought if it wasn’t for the liner. Not hating, just not my style.

 

Considering giving this a shot on our Lexus.
Low mile, great running car that the clear is coming off of in sheets on the hood and roof. I did a quickie test spot with non 2K clear and it came out OK.

Sadly, my X-Runner is getting the telltale haze on the center of the hood and leading edge of the roof. It has always been well cared for but living outside up until last year has taken a toll on it. That one I will probably have a shop handle.

 

I wash, clay bar, wipeout, polish, black light, sealant, butter wet wax, then Ceramic coat. All products from chemical guys. I did that over a year ago and haven’t washed my truck since. I just use waterless car wash again from chemical guys. My truck still has the original paint. So a little bit of work ( or spend $500-$1000 in a paint correction detail) and your truck will shine 18 years after I bought it.

 

Love there product I have all that and mudders car wash take the dirt right off

 

On an older truck, overall good condition but peeling paint, is a good full paint job worth the money?

 

My truck sits out in the sun all year round. It might be a little bit faded, but no clear coat issues whatsoever. Twenty years and 192K miles and still looks good! Just lucky I guess!

 

Sure if you like your truck. I was looking at new Tacomas and decided I’d be happier with a paint job and some relatively new 3rd gen 4-runner seats. Aside from the miles, that would essentially make it a new truck

 

I love my truck, 05 TRD Off-road that I have had since new, but the question is if I love it thaaat much. It really only needs the roof done, but after 15 years and typical chips and scratches elsewhere, i wonder about doing the whole thing.

 

Imo yes. Figure 5k paint or 35k new truck. Especially if your planning on keeping it.

 

I brought my 04 to the body shop last month for a paint job. They said they would fix it up for $500 and said my paint didn’t need a redo. Cutting compound, touch ups using the correct PPG brand urethane 3-component paint, and a polish and it looks like a new truck to me. I don’t have a clearcoat on white, but they can fix clearcoat peeling areas too. After getting to know the process, I wonder what a decent quote would be just to fix the problem areas.

You can clean up and re-spray clearcoat yourself too. Check the 2k clearcoat on Amazon for ~$20 per can. That is what my body shop uses for small areas, it is the real thing.

 

My dad sold his perfect 69 GTO for a 72 Pinto Wagon to haul the kids, wish I was joking. Seemed like a good idea at the time. Selling a Taco you like may be similar one day.

 

Ouch. Maybe the minivan for the family is not worth it.