Soft paint?

Because I got bigger tires, the front mud guards had to come off. I was surprised at what I saw. Mud guards gouged through the paint over the years. Is this supposed to happen?

I took my front plate off the bumper to detail the truck and found the same thing.

Will touch up paint fix this?

 

These trucks have a notoriously soft clearcoat. That said, look at any Chev or Dodge wheel opening molding... The parts move and when they move they dig into the softest part which in this case is the paint. Then they rust. Normal-although as always there are exceptions and they will get posted here.

 

Took my mud flaps off and found the same thing.

 

Unfortunately, very normal where the plastic rubs on the paint as it does with a mud flap. (BTW: Super White is single stage and thus does not have a clear coat over the top.) I've detailed Toyotas for years at a Toyota dealership and don't find the paint to be significantly softer than any other brand.

Would touch up paint "fix" the issue? That depends on your definition of "fixed." It will cover the areas where the white top coat is worn away. It will not look perfect and it will certainly not have the corrosion resistance of factory paint. The only real solution is to have it re-painted.

 

If those marks are just on the plastic fender flares, it's just a feature from the Toyota factory telling you where to cut for tire clearance.

But seriously though what the others have said. Things rub on each other (giggity) and this happens, pretty normal. Also you have white paint which doesn't have the best track record - maybe just be thankful it isn't falling off in huge flakes yet.

 

Yup. Already dealt with the flaking issue.