Anyone looked into . . .

[stir_fry_boy]

Anyone looked into getting the Super White clear coated?

Any other options for keeping the paint as new as possible without clear bra on the truck?

 

[marshal]

You could paint another color over it.

Something tells me that there aren't going to be many paint shops willing to sell you a $3,000 clear coat job on non-virgin single stage enamel paint that has already cured and was specifically designed to not be clear coated in the first place.

 

[Bevo]

I don't think a clear coat is going to make that much of a difference. If you are concerned about chips, a clear bra on the front end is probably the best way to go.

I don't understand the concern that some folks have about the white paint and its lack of clear coat. I have had my 4runner nearly a year now, and I have not noticed the paint being more delicate than any other vehicle I have had.

 

[Jetboy]

I put a clear bra on day one. Yes you can see it. Doesn't bother me. Not sure you have any other realistic options other than a full paint job. You could have it re-painted white and it would be easy since you wouldn't need to do the interior, engine bay, door jams, etc, but I don't think its worth the effort.

 

[tral]

I did the Simoniz glass coat to mine at the dealership (actually lowered my monthly payment).

It comes with a lifetime warranty which I'm sure you have to ***** and moan pretty hard but the product looks pretty cool and i don't normally go for any of the addons.

I'm not affiliated by any means and maybe i did get hosed on it but what ever....

http://www.simonizprofessional.com/business/Content/Simoniz_GlassCoat_1.asp

 

[1engineer]

I've had three 5th gen 4Runners in black, silver and white. Guess what? They all chip and so far they all chip about the same. White is by far the easiest to touch up.

I have owned many vehicles in my driving, married and father of two driving children career and so far every stinking one has chipped from rocks. I think I have owned around 33 new or used vehicles from Japan, the US and Europe. Personally I have not witnessed a difference. They. All. Chip. Every color, every make, every model and every year.

Now with that said there is one thing that I did not mention above that DOES make a difference. That would be shape. After owning all those vehicles I know that the more aerodynamic shape of the vehicle the less chips. Also flush mount lights and grille and no flat areas make a huge difference. The least rock chipped vehicle so far I have owned has been a late 2000's Honda Civic. It looked like a door wedge but the rocks hardly chipped it.
The 4Runners have been on the higher rock chip scale but look at the design. Lots of flat and upright surfaces up front and protruding flares and other surfaces.

Point is you can do like [MENTION=118321]Jetboy[/MENTION] and buy a clear bra or you can buy a vehicle with a highly sloped frontal area. The clear bra keep the chips to a minimum but you have to deal with possible peeling, paint discoloration and the dreaded line. Your choice.

 

[rydr1]

I'm no expert in the detail department, but I would recommend a complete yearly detail with a paint sealant, not just a wax.

Our white 07 Camry started looking dull after 7 years and required some amount of work to get the shine back.

 

[team_gforce]

The main reason white doesn't typically come clear coated is that it has a tendency to yellow with age. White is the only color that you can actually see this effect. Like others have stated, it doesnt necessarily affect the quality or longevity of the paint, but after a number of years you may have to put a little elbow grease into it to bring its lustrous glory back. Clay bar it one every year or two, use some product to help remove any paint oxidation and put a coat of wax over it a few times a year. I never realized white paint never had a clear coat until my old tacoma started to look and feel "powdery". Did the simple routine above and it looks like new.

 

[Foques]

you can always wrap it.

 

[BlacknTan]

I put XPEL Ultimate on the hood and parts of the nose. I was unsure at first, but I'm very glad I did it!

 

[stir_fry_boy]

I already have the clear bra on the front including front of side mirrors and door pockets. I'll look into the glass coat.

Thanks everyone. It sounded like some people thought the super white chipped easier than other colors.

 

[cbielat]

Maybe try the Ceramic Coat.

 

[esdrippin]

I've been looking into the Ceramic coat for my runner. I emailed a company for a quote but haven't had time to call back yet. I plan on calling him back tomorrow. If I do I'll post on here what he says. Here is a link to the site...

paint protection Ceramicpro

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Clear coat all you want, but truth be told, it's wasted money, time and effort. I got a nice double chip in the first 10 miles of ownership and it really sucked. 2500 miles later I had a door ding that still pisses me off after nearly 50k. I'm learning to simply stop caring. It's a BOF SUV that can take you everywhere you want to go, not a 1 off super car. Its' purpose in life is to used and abused. Worrying about how the paint looks will only keep you from using the vehicle as it was intended. I don't think any of us purchased a 4Runner on looks alone....

 

[bloodninja]

Clear coat all you want, but truth be told it's wasted money, time and effort. I got a nice double chip in the first 10 miles of ownership and it really sucked. 2500 miles later I had a door ding that still pisses me off after nearly 50k. I learned to simply stop caring. It's a BOF SUV that can take you everywhere you want to go, not a 1 off super car. Its' purpose in life is to used and abused. Worrying about how the paint looks will only keep you from using the vehicle as it was intended. I don't think any of us purchased a 4Runner on looks alone....

This is one of the reasons I only buy used. Every little scratch and dent on a new car will disappoint me and leave me frustrated. When I buy used, there's the expectation of imperfection, and solace in knowing that dings and dents are going to happen. Combine that with it being an off-road capable truck that's designed to be utilitarian, and you learn to not care. lol

 

[ST1FLER]

its a Fing 4runner not a Bentley

 

[philsey]

its a Fing 4runner not a Bentley

Yup. Vehicles to me are transportation appliances. I refuse to be a slave to keeping it flawless- that's a losing battle. I keep it reasonably clean and presentable, but next week it'll haul 4 guys with fishing gear all over NE Iowa gravel roads, that what it's for.

 

[mdogg]

Another option is Plasti Dip. You can completely change the look of the car at a fraction of the cost of vinyl wraps. Can probably find a professional place nearby to do it for 500-800 depending on what exactly you're looking for.

 

[jdtaylor42]

Another option is Plasti Dip. You can completely change the look of the car at a fraction of the cost of vinyl wraps. Can probably find a professional place nearby to do it for 500-800 depending on what exactly you're looking for.

I love plasti-dip for small stuff but I cant imagine maintaining an entire car that has been dipped. One little scratch and you have to re-do that panel. Also it really should be peeled and redone about every year.

I put 10 coats on our Passat wheels and while they looked great, after two years when I tried to peel, it had thinned so much from the sun that you couldn't peel it. I had to buy the spray and clean it off that way.

 

[STX4Runner]

I think [MENTION=66624]KCcarguy[/MENTION] was the first and only member on here to dip his whole 4Runner. It looked cool but I remember he said it was a bit of a PITA and it always looks dirty as dust, dirt, bugs, bird poop, ect. is hard to clean off of it.