am I being too picky? (bumper touched up)

[Derek]

Well I decided to wash the 4Runner for the first time since picking it up a few weeks ago and all seemed fine. After driving it around and getting everything dried off I noticed what appeared to be a water spot on the top of the rear bumper. I grabbed a towel and tried drying it off, but soon learned that it was actually touch-up paint that I assume the dealer applied to cover up some damage that was done. You can see the brush marks and it really does stand out in the light. But the weird thing is you can't feel it, like it's under the clearcoat, or they did a really good job of buffing it out after the repair. I feel like saying something to the dealership, but maybe I'm just being too picky. Here is a picture for reference, what do you all think? It wouldn't be so bad if the color matched, but I'm sure that's impossible with a dark metallic.

 

[jharris2]

Well I decided to wash the 4Runner for the first time since picking it up a few weeks ago and all seemed fine. After driving it around and getting everything dried off I noticed what appeared to be a water spot on the top of the rear bumper. I grabbed a towel and tried drying it off, but soon learned that it was actually touch-up paint that I assume the dealer applied to cover up some damage that was done. You can see the brush marks and it really does stand out in the light. But the weird thing is you can't feel it, like it's under the clearcoat, or they did a really good job of buffing it out after the repair. I feel like saying something to the dealership, but maybe I'm just being too picky. Here is a picture for reference, what do you all think? It wouldn't be so bad if the color matched, but I'm sure that's impossible with a dark metallic.

The lighting makes it look almost like it was gouged. You could try the dealer, but they could make it worse.

 

[DaveS]

It could be just a flaw in the original paint job if the clear coat over it is clean still - I dont think they would use a touch up brush then overspray with a perfect clear coat on top - if they were overspraying clear coat it would be just as easy to respray the paint as well. Can you feel the surfaces around to tell if there is any sign of overspray of clear coat -that would be the give away of a touch up job. My temptation would be to live with it - as jharris2 says - the dealer could make it worse if they take a shot at it. You will have plenty of chips in the front bumper to fret over and take your mind off this

 

[broncosi]

hard to tell, take another pic with a quarter or a penny up by it for sizing reference.

 

[Derek]

hard to tell, take another pic with a quarter or a penny up by it for sizing reference.

here is another pic from a different angle...

you can almost see the 'brush marks' in this pic, but then again, the clear coat seems to be matched with the rest of the bumper, almost as if this is under the clear coat somehow.

 

[broncosi]

whew, thats a tough call, it wouldnt hurt to bring it to the dealer, how long ago did you purchase it? and did you buy it new(if so, i dont understand why they wouldnt fix it) i know thats a pita especially when the rest of your truck is spotless. but i would deff mention to the dealer, good luck!

 

[olliebear]

Just wait 'til you get the first door ding....

or a rock flies up and pops your windshield leading to a 2 foot crack......

Come on guys, this is a car. Yes, a nice car and cost a nice Dead Benjamin, but this car is to be used in the (gasp) real world. Things happen. Poop happens. You did not buy this car to put into a museum. Just wash it, change the fluids, routine maintenace, keep it clean and decent and it will serve for years.

I bet if you look real close, you'll find some imperfection somewhere...have you looked under the carriage at the frame joints? see some imperfect weld spots between the boxed rails and cross members? Did you find some bolt with some scratches where the power ratchet torque it a bit too hard? How about the carpet.....perhaps some seam is not perfectly lilned up and just pulled hard to cover up a 1/8" spot???

Maybe Broncosi will help you clean the dirt out of the tire treadsipes with a Q-tip. (Just kiddin', Broncosi. )

Folks, Toyota makes great cars but they make it on an assembly line and this is not a handbuilt $400,000 Bentley Arnage or some other rich fluck, NBA draft bonus bling bling car. It's to be used, gone off road, and risks gettin creamed by some drunken peckerhead in a 20 year old Ford F-150 coming back from the Dew Drop Inn with a .39 blood alcohol level.

 

[broncosi]

Re: Just wait 'til you get the first door ding....

Maybe Broncosi will help you clean the dirt out of the tire treadsipes with a Q-tip. (Just kiddin', Broncosi. )

dang, you still remember that? well id be happy to update you that i went through some mud about 2 weeks ago and havent worried about!!

 

[Derek]

Re: Just wait 'til you get the first door ding....

or a rock flies up and pops your windshield leading to a 2 foot crack......

Come on guys, this is a car. Yes, a nice car and cost a nice Dead Benjamin, but this car is to be used in the (gasp) real world. Things happen. Poop happens. You did not buy this car to put into a museum. Just wash it, change the fluids, routine maintenace, keep it clean and decent and it will serve for years.

I bet if you look real close, you'll find some imperfection somewhere...have you looked under the carriage at the frame joints? see some imperfect weld spots between the boxed rails and cross members? Did you find some bolt with some scratches where the power ratchet torque it a bit too hard? How about the carpet.....perhaps some seam is not perfectly lilned up and just pulled hard to cover up a 1/8" spot???

Maybe Broncosi will help you clean the dirt out of the tire treadsipes with a Q-tip. (Just kiddin', Broncosi. )

Folks, Toyota makes great cars but they make it on an assembly line and this is not a handbuilt $400,000 Bentley Arnage or some other rich fluck, NBA draft bonus bling bling car. It's to be used, gone off road, and risks gettin creamed by some drunken peckerhead in a 20 year old Ford F-150 coming back from the Dew Drop Inn with a .39 blood alcohol level.

haha, yes I agree with everything you said. I guess it was just one of those 'surprises' you don't like to find after buying a brand new vehicle. I guess since I didn't notice it until now then it probably isn't as bad as I think it is. This is exactly why I set out looking for a white SE since you don't notice imperfections like this in white paint, but there were none to be had at the time. I guess you could say I have OCD, especially when it comes to my 4Runner. :bash:

 

[olliebear]

Maybe my crotchety old age has caught up with me.

I used to be like you youngin's going over my car with a magnifying glass, having a coronary if I found so much as a tiny scratch or teeny tiny chip.....washing it every other day using only wash mitts made from virgin alpaca goat hair imported from Tibet where it was sheared by ancient order of monks and blessed by the Dalai Lama (get it--LAMA, alpacas....)

Then as I grew older and have had more and more cars come and go....things aren't so important anymore.....

In fact, after I brought the Runner home...I just said, "Eh. nice." and turned the lights off the garage.....I did not pull out a chair to sit next to it all night to sing lullabies as it went to sleep.....I just took it to a wash and let it get washed...machine brushes and all. Paid for a wax job--did not scream because the detailer did not use the random orbital buffer and a q-tip.....

Got several small rock chips. Got these sealed. Got a smal scrathc on the right front fender and a nice scratch on the rear where some peckerhead must have brushed up agiant it--no bumper damage, just a nice scratch....that's what touch up paint is for.....not perfect, you can still see the scratch, but no heart attacks.

Oil changes eveyr 5,000, just had the last one last Saturday....started with synthetic now. Getting about 1mpg more than before. Probably because of the syn oil.

Don't worry. be happy.

 

[spyderdoc]

Looks to me that someone smudged their finger in the wet paint in the factory prior to the clearcoat being placed....I also would not stress about it....You are probably the ONLY one who will ever know that flaw is there....The only way anyone else will ever notice it is if you point it out.
Good luck with your new ride! It will give you many years of loyal service!

 

[Hank]

I would agree with the other members, but if it really bothers you, get it repainted by the dealers. No point in buying a new vehicle and not being 100% happy with it.

 

[qs933]

If it's a defect from the factory, I wouldn't fault the dealer for missing it during their prep.

On the other hand, if the dealer admits to touching it up due to damage on the lot or during shipping, then they should have at least been honest about it (or replaced the bumper prior to delivery), IMHO.

If nothing else, have them note it on your service record so that if something unlikely happens (e.g. you notice it starting to bubble or it starts to flake), you'll be able to reference it later.

By the way -- if it bothers you, I would not hesitate bringing it to the attention of your dealer. While the others here have valid points about not sweating it, ultimately you're the one who has to see it (or try to ignore it) every day.

 

[SevenJ]

Just make sure you think through the possible scenarios. While the dealer may be able to respray the entire bumper and make it match perfectly with no overspray or tape lines--that isn't a sure thing. You may end up in the body shop numerous times trying to make it "perfect" and ultimately wish you had the tiny imperfection back.

 

[olliebear]

kinda like fixing a bad haircut....

Just make sure you think through the possible scenarios. While the dealer may be able to respray the entire bumper and make it match perfectly with no overspray or tape lines--that isn't a sure thing. You may end up in the body shop numerous times trying to make it "perfect" and ultimately wish you had the tiny imperfection back.

little more on this side...no, more on the other side to match the other side....oooopps...just a touch more on this side....oh hell, I've always wanted to look like Moe from the Three Stooges..

 

[Lime02sport]

did you get creamed by some drunken peckerhead in a 20 year old Ford F-150 coming back from the Dew Drop Inn with a .39 blood alcohol level?

 

[Bluto]

If nothing else, have them note it on your service record so that if something unlikely happens (e.g. you notice it starting to bubble or it starts to flake), you'll be able to reference it later.

What I would do. It is probably a dealer touch up job.

 

[Derek]

What I would do. It is probably a dealer touch up job.

Good point. I wrote a quick email to the manager that sold me the 4Runner just so he would be aware of it and he called me a few hours later after he received it. He asked me to stop by so he could see it and take a look at it.

So, I went up there yesterday after work and showed him, and he said that it is in fact a factory blemish because it is under the clear coat and "he has never seen a Toyota have anything like this". We both agreed that it would probably do more harm than good to try to 'repair' it but at least he knows about it just in case something weird happened down the road.

 

[DaveS]

You mean he hasn't ordered you a brand new bumper from Toyota?

 

[JungleJim]

In my opinion, it doesn't matter if the dealer did it or it is a factory defect. (I agree with the dealership that it is factory defect.)

You did not pay for a vehicle with the intention of having defects in the paint. You certainly didn't expect it from Toyota.

It is a defect. If it bothers you, speak to a Toyota district representative. The dealer already told you that it was factory defect and that it was not normal for a Toyota.

Will other things happen to your truck? Of course. Did you want your truck to come prepped with scrathes, dirty carpet, dents, worn tires, etc.? The fact that other things will happen to it is missing the point. It shouldn't be there in the first place.

If you can live with it...fine. If it's not acceptable to YOU, then let Toyota rectify their defect. (At least listen to the possible solutions they might offer.....maybe some free accessories : )