BAD factory paintjob?

[myk1013]

I was washing my gf's 2011 Limited BP for the first time yesterday and I noticed the paint on the raised area or ridge of the bottom of the doors, (right above the chrome trim). They have a textured feel to it unlike the rest of the car. .... its like overspray but clearcoated over. It's on both sides so I dont think its iaccidental.

Does anyone else here have the same issue?

Is it a bad paintjob from the factory or a paint protection feature?

 

[philsey]

Paint protection. Many of us thought the same as you, on the first wash.

I was pi$$ed at such "shoddy" paint - 'til I called the dealer and found out.

 

[ct221933]

I have it too. I don't think it's bad paint job. But rather it was intended to be like that. Maybe someone can shed some light on the purpose.

 

[hamiltonj2w1]

Its not bad paint its a paint guard to protect from rocks

 

[mountaineer83]

My Dad's Tundra has this also. I noticed it right away the first time I washed his truck. I havn't noticed it on my 4R but then again, I havn't washed it yet.

 

[myk1013]

wheww!

Paint protection. Many of us thought the same as you, on the first wash.

I was pi$$ed at such "shoddy" paint - 'til I called the dealer and found out.

At first I was like.. WTF?!! I ran over to the other side and found the same thing. Thought about it and assumed it was for paint protection.

BTW, I love this truck!

 

[Will733]

My Tacoma had a lot more of that "bumpy paint" near the bottom and the 4Runner only has a little bit. Still nice that it has it... some cars have it really bad looking and doesn't blend in at all. The 4Runner blends it in so nicely that you couldn't even tell until you washed it.

 

[KevinG]

Its called chip guard...when I did autobody/painting, I HATED trying to match the texture. Some cars have a clean cutoff while others just gradually blend into the smooth panels.

 

[4BYTOY]

I agree with KevinG the textured paint is called "rock guard" or "chip guard" . The protection has been around for years and in my experience has worked great for mininizing the chipping of paint in areas such as lower rocker panels. My first experience - my 84 Bronco came from the factory with rock guard applied to the lower rocker panels.

4BYTOY

 

[Ryan_S]

Is it actually a different coating? I always assumed they just loaded up on the clear coat.

My Subaru has this too.

 

[KevinG]

Is it actually a different coating? I always assumed they just loaded up on the clear coat.

My Subaru has this too.

A lot of times they will use something similar to undercoating. If I remember correctly, Subaru used a very thick version of this (like a lot of other foreign vehicles). If you scrape through the clear and base coats, you will find a yellow rubbery material. It works very well and was first used on rocker panels only and then they worked their way up. I used to joke with a buddy that worked at another shop that his body work was so bad, he should chip guard from the door handles down

 

[desertred]

Yes, it is actually a different 'paintable' coating that is applied prior painting the vehicle. All of my vehicles have it, even my 88 Cherokee. Or, maybe that's rust starting to make its way through.

 

[DaveS]

Is it actually a different coating? I always assumed they just loaded up on the clear coat.



My Subaru has this too.

I used to joke with a buddy that worked at another shop that his body work was so bad, he should chip guard from the door handles down

That wouldn't be a bad idea on the TE ..

 

[4BYTOY]

"Or, maybe that's rust starting to make its way through."

Nahhh....desertred that is just the great old mag chloride from our roads in Colorado eating away

4BYTOY

 

[Ryan F.]

Actually, I think that the paint on the 4 Runner is of a very high quality compared to other Toyotas I have owned.

 

[Paragon1]

Its thicker, more textured paint thats more resistant to the debris that hits that area of the vehicle. Without it, your ride would start looking awful in pretty short order.

The same stuff was on my IS300, VW, and 300ZX. Common practice, no worries.

 

[Masaro]

Phew! I'm glad I found this thread. I hand-washed my 4R for the first time today and noticed the bumpy paint on the doors. The dealership was about to get an angry call from me!

 

[Antman]

I used to worry about stuff like that.

Then I went camping with these guys, and...:fear:






Now I don't worry about it so much.