Correlation: paint color and oxidation

[Sifrk]

Like many of you, when I bought my T4R, I was offered all these options and protection plans, one of which was some type of paint protection plan. I don't recall the details as I usually turn off my brain when it comes to things like extended warranties and extraneous protection/prevention plans. I did however hear that it protected against oxidation of the paint. My attention rose at this point. So I asked him, what colors are more proned to oxidation. He says, silver.

Is this true? Does anyone have personal experience with their silver rig? What have you done for prevention, and when it did happen, what did you do to fix it?

I'll mention one last thing about the guy I spoke to. He's the finance manager, so I wouldn't say that he's the most reliable source, but at the same time, I would think he'd have some statistical information so he can make his pitch more effective. Ah...maybe I'm over-thinking it. What say ye?

 

[Koz]

Like many of you, when I bought my T4R, I was offered all these options and protection plans, one of which was some type of paint protection plan. I don't recall the details as I usually turn off my brain when it comes to things like extended warranties and extraneous protection/prevention plans. I did however hear that it protected against oxidation of the paint. My attention rose at this point. So I asked him, what colors are more proned to oxidation. He says, silver.

Is this true? Does anyone have personal experience with their silver rig? What have you done for prevention, and when it did happen, what did you do to fix it?

I'll mention one last thing about the guy I spoke to. He's the finance manager, so I wouldn't say that he's the most reliable source, but at the same time, I would think he'd have some statistical information so he can make his pitch more effective. Ah...maybe I'm over-thinking it. What say ye?

Don't waste your money on any paint protection plan, it is not needed. As far as paint oxidation, yes, silver is most prone, but today's paint and clear coat system (on Toyota) will last the life of the vehicle, if you take reasonable care of it.

Koz

 

[Gromulus]

BS

What a bunch of hogwash.

The metallic aluminum flakes in today's automotive coatings are treated to be acid etch resistant. The clear topcoats completely cover the metallic basecoat and will prevent any deleterious effects from occurring.

 

[EXTEX]

Silver Oxidation

I wash my silver SE often enough to know one thing: the paint on this thing is about as close to perfect as I have ever owned. I'm sure they use computer driven lasers, or the like, but this paint is way nice.

Damifino about oxidation, but I did use Prolong paint sealant about 3 months after I bought it. If the truck's clean, I can be in a driving rainstorm [coastal Virginia, duh], park it in the garage, and after it dries, you can barely tell it was in the rain. Amazing how clean this thing will stay. 'Til I get in da mud!

 

[Sifrk]

Thanks for the reassurance guys. So I guess with the occasional wash and wax, my paint job should last forever or somewhere between now and then.

I've read quite a few threads where the 4R owner(s) seem like they wash and wax almost every weekend. I love my car, but I don't think I would spend 2 hours every weekend washing and waxing. How often do you guys clean and spit-shine your babies? Is there such as thing as too much washing and/or waxing?

 

[Gromulus]

Time

I am in the automotive paint business and I am lucky to wash my car every other month - in good weather! Who has the time. I do give it a good polish and wax job twice per year though.

One of the reasons why I like silver - it always manages to look fairly clean. After owning a black car for the past 13 years I can honestly say it is my last.

Today's OEM coatings are very good and really don't need the care that was required years ago.

Someone above did mention fading. Even regular application of wax won't help with fading. While organic pigments are much more durable these days, reds still do fade more than other colors.

 

[Sifrk]

Re: Time

One of the reasons why I like silver - it always manages to look fairly clean. After owning a black car for the past 13 years I can honestly say it is my last.

Same here. Before I got the silver 4R, I had a black Accord. That thing looked fantastic after a good wash and wax, but the day after (since I park out in the open) you'd see every single speck of dust that lands on it. I agree, the silver's great, if you don't wipe off a specific area, you can't even tell it's dirty. The main area that gives it away is the small part at the bottom of the rear hatch that I use to push the thing closed. You look there and you realize the truck's diiirrrttyyy.

 

[dcampen]

Those dealer treatments are a ripoff. This was true even before the modern paints.

As other people have noted, modern paints with clearcoats don't have an oxidation problem like some colors did 10 or 20 years ago.

Put a modern sysnthetic sealant (wax) on it twice a year and it will last forever. I like Zaino's sealant, other people like Meguiar's NXT. The modern synthetic sealants last longer than carnuba wax.

Silver won't show "swirl" marks easily like darker colors still when you wash using a clean washing mitt and synthetic drying chamois are important.

 

[Sifrk]

Thanks again all. One more question.

How about the black plastic pieces on the truck? Over time they tend to fade and build a whitish discoloration. My car sits in the sun all weekend as my garage is packed w/ junk. Is there something I can do to save or prolong the shiny, black luster?