4th Gen paint

Hello everyone,
I got a 4th gen TRD OR in tera in April. I noticed that the paint is absolute crap. I barely look at the paint and it scratches. I already have numerous scratches. Is this normal with these trucks? Can the dealers do anything about this?

 

Whats scratching it...

 

Maybe the car wash. I have taken previous vehicles through this car wash with no issues. Some small tree branches I brushed up against while driving on a dirt road a few weeks ago. The paint job just seems very cheap.

 

This isn't just Toyota, it's pretty much all manufactures. Eco friendly water based paint and clear doesn't hold up like the old stuff.

 

Only option is to try a different truck or different color.
start the lemon law process & get all your money back, start over...
Some trucks has super soft paint, no idea whey....
I helped a guy get out of a black truck, his paint was soft...
he said a California duster would. scratch it....
Toyota paint is also paper thin compared to other manf.....

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2024-tacoma-paint-defects-look-before-you-buy….832299/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/paint-issue-on-25’silver-trd-or.856548/

 

not true, ford paint is superior compared to the garbage toyota is pumping out in the paint debt...

 

I knew you were going to chime in about Fords...

Co-worker has two Bronco Sport's and made mention it's the worst paint out of all the Ford's he has owned. That said, it may be better than what Toyota is putting out.

 

I have seen some small Bronco sports with some "seeds" like my tacoma had.....
but tiny minor ones like the tip of a pick...
Yes, theres some degree of issues with all manufacturers but safe to say ford paint is layed-on thicker than toyota paint....

Ive had to work on these things & never worried about scratch paint by sneezing on them...
Ive accidentally dropped tools on fenders
used ratchet straps across fenders along with coat hangers, etc...
accidentally opened door edges into the upright for my rack, without chipping the door edges.

I chipped the door edge on my sr5 that got bought back by gently resting the door edge against my tool box at the house...

 

The salt/rock mix they use here in PA during the winter was brutal on my truck. Indeed chipped worse than my 3rd gens in just one season. Have a feeling I'm going to have to keep a Dr. Colorchip kit handy at all times.

Buddy has a newer Honda and it's absurdly soft paint as well. We can't have nothing nice.

 

The water based paints are nothing new at this point, and the dark opaque paints are famous for showing the scratches. I'm in "told you so" mode with some associates who all got the opaque dark and earth toned vehicles in the past months to few years over their noticing the little scratches.

 

I agree, 2000% frustrating....
Im anal when it comes to paint & trying to keep my shit nice.
I dont tailgate at all & picked up a few micro pit marks / paint chips in the front grill.
This was NEVER an issue in the past.

I dint want a fullsize truck like an f150 even though could have bought one for the same price as the tacoma & part of me in the back of my head says, "what have I done"....

I do like the truck though, just wish it wasnt painted with crayons...................

 

I used to be super picky about keeping everything all spiffed up, but at this point I give up. It'll get washed when it needs it, but nothing special.

 

Here are a couple of products I use:

1. https://www.meguiars.com/automotive...-lasting-easy-use-synthetic-wax-g210516-16-oz
   
2. https://www.ryobitools.com/products/33287193677

The wax is easy to apply, and more importantly easy to remove. I do not use the big loop handle on the polisher.