Kneebreaker
New member
I guess if you don't want scratches, you could just make your paint job out of LineX
op2:
At some point when do you stop freaking about scratches on the head of a hammer.
New cars are great, but it's meant to be drive. Protect your car as best you can but also go drive it.
It's clearcoated.
All paint chips and thickness is not the reason. The reason modern paint chips is we (all of us) have elected people that want to save the world and solvent based paint cannot be used. Water based paint is not as durable.
It chips. It scratches. Be prepared to be annoyed. Send a letter to Toyota.
Are they using clearcoat on white Toyotas now? I know on my 2007 the paint is a single-stage paint so there isn't an actual layer of clearcoat on top of the white paint. On a pearl white metallic they would use a clearcoat but not on any non-metallic colors.
There are a lot of myths floating around on the internet and in forums.
Simple test for everyone who doubts:
Open your front door, get a piece of 1000 grit and hit a small area near the hinge. It should leave white tiny scratches. Clear sands white.
Even in the .001% of vehicles that have single stage paint the paint has clear mixed in.
Are they using clearcoat on white Toyotas now? I know on my 2007 the paint is a single-stage paint so there isn't an actual layer of clearcoat on top of the white paint. On a pearl white metallic they would use a clearcoat but not on any non-metallic colors.
Not really. You could put the plastic on the front like some do. You could put a bug shield on it to protect the leading edge of the hood. Nothing you do though is going to stop that small stone kicked up by the truck in front of you from scratching or denting the paint. Door dings and chips happen even to the best paint jobs on the planet. If you don't want anything to happen then the best thing to do is garage it and never drive it.
As far as this being a collector's item? I have read this statement and sure, maybe it will be but not for 40-50 years. A Datsun 240Z from the early 70's (even the rare models in mint condition) can be picked up for around 30K. That's 45 years old! The Lamborghini LM002 SUV is rare. There were 321 sold in the US. It cost $120K new. A perfect 1982 example with only 5K miles sold for $170K. The vehicle is 33 years old!
Yes, it's badass looking now. There will soon be "the next big thing" though that will make our 4Runners look old and dated. Every now and then a vehicle is produced that will transcend time and still be beautiful 50 years from now. A Thunderbird, a Corvette Stingray or a Ferrari 250. Is the 4Runner TRD Pro one? I doubt it but we'll see.
I know there will be a 2016 TRD Pro. There will be two new colors and the Inferno will be temporarily retired. FJ Cruisers did the same with the Trail Teams versions.
Personally I just drive mine knowing it is going to get scratched, dinged and dirty. To me it adds character, sort of like a scar but I have had many new vehicles. I understand your frustration but a vehicle is not made to look perfect for a long time. Any vehicle. Could they give it a coating that wouldn't scratch or chip? Sure they could but do you want to pay $50K for that coating? Nobody else does either.
Trent has been trying to sell me that white trd pro for over a week now. You should hear his reasoning on why I should pay more on a used pro when they msrp for $42.5k.
I am trying to decide between buying a '15 or waiting for a '16. I saw on Instagram a Toyota dealer in Hawaii telling people to get ready to put their orders in for the new 2016 trd pro with the colors: magnetic grey, quicksand and white. Anybody heard anything similar????
I checked and you are correct from what I've been told.I am trying to decide between buying a '15 or waiting for a '16. I saw on Instagram a Toyota dealer in Hawaii telling people to get ready to put their orders in for the new 2016 trd pro with the colors: magnetic grey, quicksand and white. Anybody heard anything similar????
Some very reliable sources on this forum have mentioned that a grey and khaki are forthcoming in 2016, with Inferno being discontinued. Look 10 posts earlier to yours in this thread and at the following:
2016 TRD PRO
Could not find the anthracite you guys are speaking of but for some black and gunmetal pearl came out almost exactly like the front.
Looks good! Did you you put Glossifier on top or just the Gunmetal Pearl dip?
I just ordered the Canvasback, but went with the 24" bumper cover...I am second guessing myself after seeing your 20" though! Does your TRD have the sliding cargo deal? I do, and measured from it, but am wondering if it's going to be stupid-long?!?! Maybe it's not too late to change my order...I absolutely love my Canvasback liner! I actually ordered it before my TRDP arrived because the website said it would take 4+ weeks but it took more like 2 weeks. I installed it the first night I had my TRDP in about 5 minutes. Mine is the black color and it matches the interior perfectly. I take my big Great Pyrenees/Anatolian Shepherd dog with me everyday to work and off-road so I also got the 20” bumper flap. I would recommend the flap especially if you have big dogs jumping in and out a lot like me. The liner is held down to the carpet in the truck with Velcro and stays put even with dog claws digging into it. It has been used daily since I got my TRDP in mid December with no issues. Please excuse the plethora of white “wolf” fur! ☺
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So whats the solution?
is there anything that we can do to help protect the paint? There's a shop by my house that does this amazing ceramic coating on cars, but its really just SO expensive. What you get in return is paint that is seemingly bulletprooof.
So, without totally breaking the bank, is there something else that can be applied to the truck to help preserve the paint as long as possible?
People would always comment on the condition of the body of my 2000 SR5 and how it looked brand new. Thats how the body looked when i traded in my 2000 SR5 for the TRD PRO. THe frame is another story.
I just really wanna keep this forever. I have a feeling this could one day be a collectors item. Apart from that its just seriously the most badass looking SUV on the road right now. People are always staring and commenting.