Paint Issue--Warranty or Body Shop or Self Repaint

I was at a manual car wash in Boise recently, rinsing the hood with the normal water setting on the sprayer, when a strip of paint tore clean off the front of the hood scoop on my '16 TRD Sport. I have attached photos for reference.

Toyota doesn't want to cover it under warranty, claiming that there was outside influence, though visual inspections by the first dealership I saw as well as photographs revealed no chips or other influence that would cause such a tear. Does anyone have tips on fighting to get this covered under warranty?

If not, I want to get it fixed, either by a shop or by taking the scoop off and repainting it myself. I'd rather not claim on my insurance as I have a great premium that I don't want to rise, even though the deductible is only $250 and will likely be less than cash price at a shop. Does anyone know where to find Silver Sky Metallic paint in a form other than the small touch-up pens they sell at the dealerships?

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving
Zack

 

Take better pics

 

I believe Duplicate-Color markets a spray can of matching color.
I'm not familiar with the 3rd gen models, is the scoop portion of the hood removable? If it is I would try to do it myself with the matching Duplicate-Color paint and clear coat.


Edit to add: I would push back very hard on Toyota to fix under warranty.

 

My vote would be to just plastidip it black to match your grille, etc if you dont want to spend the money on insurance...unless your paint skills are superb.

 

My vote goes to black vinyl or plastidip, make it black and enjoy it being a little more unique.

If you'd rather paint it and make it like new try this outfit - http://www.paintscratch.com/
(I have not used them myself, but a vendor I work with recommended them)

 

I wouldn't use duplicolor or plasti dip.

Get some paint shop quotes and see if it's within your realm of reasoning, if not, then get some paint from automotivetouchup.com or similar website that's thoroughly vetted with quality and paint matching.

If you're capable of doing good paint work it's not a difficult fix, but it'll only be as good as you are.

That looks like burnt paint to me, from continuous abrasion (like from a spinning car wash brush).

 

I agree. It doesn't just look like flaked up paint. Take a close pic again out in the sun with your flash off.

 

This shouldn't count a collision, which means your rates will not go up if you file a claim.

 

I agree with just pulling off the scoop and either plastidip it or paint it. Based on the position it's in it really looks like it's an abrasion from a car wash, though. So I get why Toyota isn't covering this under warranty.

 

I would take it off and try painting it. Worst case you get a pro to do it anyway. Personally I like the look of a different color scoop.

Coot

 

Honestly, to me it looks like someone took some sandpaper to it. If it was a defect in the paint work by the manufacture the paint would have chipped off cleanly and not left those streak marks.

Take it to a body shop and get it sanded and resprayed. Probably cost about $200