Is anyone’s 4runner a magnet for rock chips?

[Tuc4R]

...and it won't match.

Not true, a buddy had his Tacoma hood and front corner panel replaces and it was a perfect match. It all depends on the shop.

 

[Heavy_GD]

Not true, a buddy had his Tacoma hood and front corner panel replaces and it was a perfect match. It all depends on the shop.

.... and the way the wind is blowing, if the guy spraying was out drinking the night before, the color socks he put on that morning, the prep on the hood, the brand of paint, etc....

 

[Hans Moleman]

Langka - Paint Chip Repair I have had very good results with Langka Paint Chip Repair Kit.

I have the Langka kit. It did not work for me. It just wipes off all of the touchup paint, even after letting dry for 1 month. I guess the beauty of it is it will remove old touchup paint if that is your goal.

I going to try the Dr. Colorchip. But the one big deep chip I'm not sure if it will work.

 

[jhguth]

in my experience if it's deep then dr colorchip won't make it flush and smooth, but it still helps because it makes it hard to see

 

[mc813]

Living in a place with rocks seemingly being kicked up constantly, I opted to spend the money and have a clear bra put on the front. There are some significant marks that the clear bra has saved my paint from. Any new car I get going forward will most likely get clear bra on the front at a minimum as well.

 

[Every Day OutDoors]

Paint is super soft, having problems with my fender flares, leading edge of hood, hood scoop, and roof line at the windshield. Just going to wrap the thing and get it over with. Plan on keeping this vehicle for a long time, and hopefully it will help it through the minnesota winters

 

[J.F. Sebastian]

Paint is super soft, having problems with my fender flares, leading edge of hood, hood scoop, and roof line at the windshield. Just going to wrap the thing and get it over with. Plan on keeping this vehicle for a long time, and hopefully it will help it through the minnesota winters

Yes, the paint on these vehicles is an utter joke (Super White for sure) but at least they got it to stick to the metal more or less...

 

[docsnavely]

I got a chip on the front lip of the hood the 1st week of owning my TRDP. I bought the OEM paint pen like a chump and only discovered after the fact how horrible it is at texturing. A matching color doesn't mean anything when it looks like it was finger painted.

I made an appointment with my tint guy for a clear bra the same day I got the chip. I head in a week later for my appointment and they pull me back into the garage to show me that I had another chip in the front of the hood where the bra would be going. Two damn chips in 3 weeks of owning the vehicle. I owned my 2015 limited for 3 damn years and not one paint chip. I really think the flat colors (cavalry blue for this one) are less durable than the metallics like the nautical blue I used to have.

Still waiting on my first windshield chip. Those I got about every 3 months on my limited. The safelite guys knew me by name. Surprised GEICO didn't cancel my insurance for as many times I went in for a windshield chip.

 

[DougR]

This site shows which states require tarps on loads, https://www.pulltarps.com/resources/state-federal-regulations/page/2/ … if a truck has a tarp and it's still dropping rock or sand due to an ill-fitting gate, I would get the license number if it can be done without risk and call the non-emergency police or highway patrol. I keep those phone numbers on my mobile for reporting reckless or impaired drivers.

 

[avalonracing]

Yes, the paint on these vehicles is an utter joke (Super White for sure) but at least they got it to stick to the metal more or less...

Could also be that the Super White has no clearcoat. It's a single-stage paint. Don't ask me why... I can't even find an answer on the net as to why.

 

[ElectroBoy]

There’s so much soft paint and plastic on the front end of my 2018 TORP. Bugs and rocks and sand pepper it after every long road trip. I’m tired of touching up all the little paint dings. Maybe I’ll eventuslly paint it all flat black with a rattle can.
I miss my 3rd gen. The paint was harder and the front end had more metal and less paint to chip. After 18 years the paint still looked great and I waxed it less than 10 times as long as I had it. I’m not so sure how the 2018 paint will hold up.

 

[Snoranger]

Mine lives in the garage, is only 5 months old with 2300 miles on it. Got two chips w/in the first week of owning it. I swear the paint on the 4Runner is way softer than the paint that was on my 2012 Tacoma..

 

[J.F. Sebastian]

I can second this unfortunately, they look nice and fancy but it's almost impossible to get a decent result.

Just had a thought and maybe it will be helpful to someone trying to fix a chip with the pen.

As using the tips directly on the car yield sketchy results at best it may be better and actually designed to be used like epoxy for instance. On a piece of paper or whatever, blot out 3 parts paint in a spot then 1 or 2 blots of clear right next to it, mix together like epoxy then apply with a needle, toothpick or whatever your chosen applicator? Determine your ideal ratio, I surely don't know what's best.

Can't believe I didn't think of this when I tried it, and maybe you're reading this saying to yourself (what's this guy's problem, isn't that obvious you can't use the pen directly?), i do feel ashamed and figured I'd put it down anyway.

 

[Hadelson]

This is my third 4Runner. The 05 very little chip issues. 14 and 17 not as good. I just back off from vehicle in front of me to avoid the "sandblast".

That said, we have a 15 Camry. Paint is so bad that after 6 months, looked like it was hit with a shot-gun. Took it back to dealer and after much aggravation, they repainted entire front half of car. It was better, but still not good IMO.

Now, after 3 1/2 years, it looks like a 3 1/2 year old car. I do care for it and wax several times a year and fix the chips.