4Runner paint flaws?

J

Jayhawk5G

New member
I walked out to the parking lot during my lunch break to call my wife, and happened to be sitting on the curb next to my 4Runner. I hadn't up till this point noticed this and probably wouldn't had I not been sitting so low.

I noticed right above the chrome trim that runs below the doors absolutely awful orange peel. Not just the illusion but you can physically feel the pits. It's at the very bottom of both doors and if you run your hand down the door is smooth and then you get to the bottom and can feel the texture for the last 3-4 inches of the door.

I wondered if this was just a flaw on the drivers side but no I found the exact same thing on the passnger side as well. Door is smooth as glass, the very bottom portion of both doors that curves down to the chrome strip horribly pitted/orange peeled.

Before I go to the dealer to discuss this, I wondered if this limited to my 4Runner or if others have the same orange peel?

I will take pictures when I get home.
 
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I actually have this on my RAV4. I think it is an extra thick clearcoat coating on the rocker panels to help guard against road dust/rocks/debris. Hopefully some other members can chime in on this.
 
Mine is like that too. Antman told me they do that on purpose to make the area more rugged since it is more prone to damage from the road.
 
I have the same thing on my 2010 Tacoma. I'm going to get a 4runner soon, so I can't speak to that right now though. I agree that it is for rock chip protection, I think.
 
No flaw in paint. They are all like that. Back in the day it was called "gravel guard" and put across the rockers and bottom of quarter panels. It was a vinyl and did not flow out much hence the orange peel. Now it looks like this process is applied before the base coat/clear coat and blended into the doors. The reason the rocker trim and the front and rear bumper does not have this is the material (fiberglass for rocker, PVC/rubber for the front and rear covers) is "flexible" and even if it chips rust will not be formed. You can't even see it standing up right beside the truck and when you step back you can't see it because it all looks shiny. Now, if you lay down right beside it and look up....
 
Definitely an assembly line flaw. Not surprising. Add this to the list.

Sell it and pickup a 4th gen V8. Paint on those is perfect.

Can't believe I wasn't invited to the camp out. That's just plain rude. Just think of how much more fun it would have been.
 
JohnnyT said:
Definitely an assembly line flaw. Not surprising. Add this to the list.

Sell it and pickup a 4th gen V8. Paint on those is perfect.

Can't believe I wasn't invited to the camp out. That's just plain rude. Just think of how much more fun it would have been.
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There you go CTH! Glad to see you are back to your form.
 
Thanks for the responses makes me feel a bit better...

I still find it strange because at the beginning of the rear fender flare is a legitimate vinyl protection peice similar to clear bra. So why make the paint look like crap in some places and then clear bra a small section of the rear fender?

I was going to be upset if this was not on others as I would have to decide to accept it or look at having 4 doors repainted. Not a big deal if they all come this way...
 
Jayhawk5G said:
Thanks for the responses makes me feel a bit better...

I still find it strange because at the beginning of the rear fender flare is a legitimate vinyl protection peice similar to clear bra. So why make the paint look like crap in some places and then clear bra a small section of the rear fender?

I was going to be upset if this was not on others as I would have to decide to accept it or look at having 4 doors repainted. Not a big deal if they all come this way...
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don't worry too much, I think it's normal. Mine is exactly like that too, the textured clear coat on the lower rocker areas and then a textured vinyl material right over that too. can't say they didn't offer you enough protection from rock chips right?
 
Don't feel bad. On my 93 Miata the entire bottom half of the doors and fenders are like that. Anti chip thing.....
 
They did the same thing on the rocker panels on my 3rd Gen as well. Not chips or scratches to this day. So it works well.
 
Orange Peel Paint

All of my Toyota/Lexus vehicles for the past few years have this. It help protects against stone chips, etc. Be glad its there! No one is going to notice it unless they get on their knees or sit on the curb next to you vehicle.
My new LS460 has clear bra strips at certain locations on the underside to do the same thing.
 
JohnnyT said:
Can't believe I wasn't invited to the camp out. That's just plain rude. Just think of how much more fun it would have been.
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Dear Captain Tiny Head,


We were going to invite you, but...

Several 4th Genners PM'd me to make sure you were excluded so you wouldn't embarrass them. :moon:

Sincerely- A/M
 
Antman said:
Dear Captain Tiny Head,


We were going to invite you, but...

Several 4th Genners PM'd me to make sure you were excluded so you wouldn't embarrass them. :moon:

Sincerely- A/M
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Well that's for damn sure. Some of those 4th gen'ers are hardcore off roaders with THE best trucks ever made the quality of which hasn't been made since. I could only bring them down.
 
JohnnyT said:
Well that's for damn sure. Some of those 4th gen'ers are hardcore off roaders with THE best trucks ever made the quality of which hasn't been made since. I could only bring them down.
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Ya just gotta love this guy, right?

If you weren't so damn stupid I would definitely send a friend request your way! :hatsoff:
 
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