Clear Coat Restoration Test

[mrpanic7]

So I've only had my T4R a couple weeks, and noticed that the clear coat was in pretty bad shape all around a lot of scratches. So I talked with my buddy at O'Reilly for awhile and I decided to test Turtle Wax Black Box, just to see the results. Well I did some before and after shots below, and did this so anyone else with a black T4R can see the results.

Here's the link for what i used: Turtle Wax T3KT - Car Wash And Wax Kit | O'Reilly Auto Parts

The first 3 images are before, and obviously last 3 are after. (sorry for my mom in the first shot). You can see the major improvement over the door scratches!

 

[black_120]

did you apply it by hand or DA/buffer?

From what I understood. Both Black and Natural white does not have clearcoat.

 

[black_120]

Just read the link... Bascially that wax contains fillers to hide imperfections and swirls. After a few washes that black wet look will be gone and you will still see the swirls again.

But for the meantime, it looks great!

 

[MikeInNH]

From what I understood. Both Black and Natural white does not have clearcoat.

Who told you that??? A salesman?

It has clear coat no matter what the color.

 

[mrpanic7]

Just read the link... Bascially that wax contains fillers to hide imperfections and swirls. After a few washes that black wet look will be gone and you will still see the swirls again.

But for the meantime, it looks great!

i applied it via buffer. and I havent washed it yet but once i do ill add in some more pictures so we can see :banana:

 

[black_120]

Who told you that??? A salesman?

It has clear coat no matter what the color.

The topic has been discussed on many toyota forums. But even the 2011 black does not have clear unless its metallic or pearl.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/91181-clear-coat.html

I know for a fact my 2008 Super White Tundra was a single stage paint w/o clear.

 

[ClockWork]

Just read the link... Bascially that wax contains fillers to hide imperfections and swirls. After a few washes that black wet look will be gone and you will still see the swirls again.

But for the meantime, it looks great!

Yea and after a week of driving a freshly washed and waxed car it looks dirty.

6 of 1, half a doz........

 

[mrpanic7]

The topic has been discussed on many toyota forums. But even the 2011 black does not have clear unless its metallic or pearl.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/91181-clear-coat.html

I know for a fact my 2008 Super White Tundra was a single stage paint w/o clear.

very very interesting......

 

[black_120]

very very interesting......

At least the black is holding up well. My 3 year old Tundra had bloches of faded white oxidation on several parts of the truck. I dont know why but it was really bad on the 07+ Tundras.

 

[MikeInNH]

The topic has been discussed on many toyota forums. But even the 2011 black does not have clear unless its metallic or pearl.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/91181-clear-coat.html

I know for a fact my 2008 Super White Tundra was a single stage paint w/o clear.

WOW..I did some checking and it seems that Toyota may NOT be using clear-coat. Although for the life of me I don't understand why.

 

[zstampe]

WOW..I did some checking and it seems that Toyota may NOT be using clear-coat. Although for the life of me I don't understand why.

They only did this on white as far as I know.

 

[black_120]

They only did this on white as far as I know.

They did on black as well, unless its one of the pearl or metallic colors. Its pretty stupid, but the Tacoma black is Black Sand Pearl, and it does have clear coat.

Unfortunately the black on the Tundra and 4Runner is not clearcoated.

Also, the white on the 08+ Urban runner (Blizzard Pearl) has clear as well..

 

[zstampe]

They did on black as well, unless its one of the pearl or metallic colors. Its pretty stupid, but the Tacoma black is Black Sand Pearl, and it does have clear coat.

Unfortunately the black on the Tundra and 4Runner is not clearcoated.

Also, the white on the 08+ Urban runner (Blizzard Pearl) has clear as well..

Yep, you're right, all metallics have it. I didn't know that about the black though.

 

[BReardon21]

Big plus though if you are looking to get your white or black 4Runner painted at a body shop, one coat mees less $$$$. It may be worth just getting a few panels re-sprayed if its just one coat without a clear.

 

[Javelin]

I have the same issue with my white 05. The roof is faded and theres patches of faded clear coat on the upper areas toward the roof. That sucks its like that on the black too. The black would be way more noticable with fading than white.

 

[T4R4TR]

I feel dumb asking this question but does my black 08 Urbanrunner have clear coat. I would've said yes before reading this thread but you guys have me second guessing myself. If the 08 white UR has clear but otherwise whites do not, does the same go for the black UR?

 

[black_120]

I feel dumb asking this question but does my black 08 Urbanrunner have clear coat. I would've said yes before reading this thread but you guys have me second guessing myself. If the 08 white UR has clear but otherwise whites do not, does the same go for the black UR?

I hate to say it, but the safe bet is if your paint color doesnt have the words pearl or metallic in the name its single stage.

Check your color code to be sure.

 

[mycrobyte]

Out of curiosity, why do you believe the clear coat is required for some of these colors?

The clear coat is required for most metallics to protect the aluminum flake from oxidation. Sure it does impart some added protection (scratch, wear) for straight shades - but the cost isn't really worth it to Toyota.

The solid color paints will be fine with adequate waxing and polishing. Personally, I prefer the Klasse product line.

(I manage the R&D lab in the US for the worlds largest paint company, so I'm happy to help....)

*These statements are my personal opinion and not the opinion of the company I work for.