Clear Coat Durability for different colors?

[intense1776]

If you plan on keeping the car, don't lease. With the values of used 4Runners like they are, it makes no sense to lease at all.
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OP- Don't listen to him ^

I have black and it shows A LOT of rock and rock-salt chips.

 

[3William56]

I'm 100% positive that your Tacoma "looking dull" is a similar type of situation, where the paint had just become oxidized and needed a little love with a DA. With a little work it could have been brought back to like-new condition I'm sure.

I totally agree, especially about it being "soft" paint. I have just noticed with my Tacoma it tends to be quite a bit "softer" than any of my other vehicles that I've owned in the past ('07 Porsche Cayman S, '13 Audi A3, 10' VW Golf, '06 Chevy Silverado, etc.)
Sounds like yours is the same, so I wonder if it's just the way Toyota's are?
Don't get me wrong, it's not a deal breaker by any means, but from what you're saying there is a lot more effort needed to keep them looking nice and shiny than the other brands that I've owned.
With my new 4runner, I've taken every precaution to mitigate any problems. I had the paint protection applied when I purchased it (Xylon from Final Coat), 3M Clear Bra, and store it in the garage. I'm a firm believer in preventative maintenance.
I've only had my 4runner for about 3 months, so time will tell.

 

[Bad_Influence]

i think? not sure, but i think i read somewhere that the blizzard pearl 4runner's have an extra layer of something in the paint, and all other colors have one less layer of that something. Glad i could help...lol

 

[MLPbrian]

how good is the bliizard pearl white compared to super white?

 

[mcarey86]

Blizzard is glittery.

 

[JoeRacer]

I have just noticed with my Tacoma it tends to be quite a bit "softer" than any of my other vehicles that I've owned in the past ('07 Porsche Cayman S, '13 Audi A3, 10' VW Golf, '06 Chevy Silverado, etc.)
..., so I wonder if it's just the way Toyota's are?

Well, to be fair, German cars are known for their bomb-proof paint jobs, and Japanese in general are known for soft and easily damaged paint. I was also told by a body shop that due to some law being passed around 2000 there was some additive that auto paint manufacturers couldn't use any longer, and this had a negative impact on paint quality and headlight UV protection coating. That of course is just hearsay, and doesn't explain why German paint is still good and JDM is crap.

 

[Weyland-Yutani]

I had a 2014 Attitude Black Camry and I hated the paint from the first day. It would scratch with the micro fibers in the world. I spent many hours buffing it out to get back the shine.

I like black cars but unless you can garage it 95% of the time it is a pain to keep up.

I bought a 2015 Silver 4Runner and it has been very easy to keep up and clean. I did a 3 step process on the paint including claying all surfaces. It is staying clean enough to go a few weeks without a wash.

I would say the clear coat on the 4Runner seems to be a little thicker and harder but it would need to be measured by gauge to be certain.

 

[Sarethx]

Just got into a Silver 4Runner TE.

Came from a black BMW. Black is an absolute NIGHTMARE! If you care for having a clean looking car for even a minute...stay away from black. Worst 3 years of my life. In the last year, I gave up on polish and wax and detail and stuck to just wash. Black cars are awesome clean...for an hour...then they turn to crap.

Had a dark gray R32 that was pretty easy to keep clean. Can't speak for the silver yet. In the 24hrs I have owned it, it has been pretty clean.