paint damage caused by SEAFOAM!

[99yota4]

I was opening a can of seafoam to put in the gas tank and when I pulled the tab, it swung the can and i got a good amount of seafoam spilled on my driver side rear quarter panel. I quickly wiped it down with napkins and it was about a month or so before I got to washing the truck. After I washed it and dried it up, I noticed that the area where it spilled, the paint was faded. By faded I mean not as glossy or shiny as the rest of the runner. How can I fix this and get it to be all glossy again? I regularly wash my runner but it could use a good detailed cleaning. (Every crevice, window sill, water drain channels, etc. Does anyone have advice on getting that faded area fixed up? Thanks

 

[Jed]

Seafoam is a solvent and solvents eat through clear coats. The only way to permanently fix the area is to get it repainted. Chemicals are a *****!

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Most likely all you've done is etch the clear coat a bit and the color is fine.

Just buy some clear coat rubbing compound,use it conservativly,then polish and finish with a good wax job and you won't know the diff. I had a similar issue with the area below my gas tank from spilled gas from time to time and it just needed a good buffing.

 

[99yota4]

Thanks guys. RonMaiden, what brand of clear coat rubbing compound would you recommend. I like how your runner is in great condition and whatever it is you're doing to keep it that way, it's working!

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I think the stuff I used was buy Meguire's;thanks for the compliments but my Runner is due for some TLC with a claybar and full polish and wax but for 160k on the odo I'd like to think it's a very sound truck.

 

[rjaudi]

If your 4runner is black they dont have a clear coat. At least my 1997 doesnt. Do you have a polisher? If not your going to just try your best with some polishes or compunds to get it out.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

How are you sure it doesn't have a clear coat? I've never heard this and Toyota has been using clear coats on cars before 1990. I'd verify this with a dealer or some other reliable source but I'm betting all colors were clear coated.

 

[99yota4]

I agree. Toyota has one of the highest quality when it comes to paint in my opinion. As long as you take care of it, and it doesn't have to be meticulous, the paint will last you a long time with that glossy shine not like American made vehicles or other cheap imports like Hyundai, Kia, or Daewoo. In all the Toyota's my family and I have owned, none of them have dulled nor faded.

 

[Justin727]

I'd get into a long drawn out discussion about this but hitup autogeek.net and browse their forums. A TON of good detailing and paint correction info there.

 

[jbx35]

Justin is right, lots of good info over there; but for a quick answer to your ? I would go with poorboysworld.com
The $5 bottle of SSR2 or 2.5 followed by some SSR1 (2-3x on the SSR1 if you use the 2.5) then a little wax or sealant of your choice. Good as new.

 

[Justin727]

Justin is right, lots of good info over there; but for a quick answer to your ? I would go with poorboysworld.com
The $5 bottle of SSR2 or 2.5 followed by some SSR1 (2-3x on the SSR1 if you use the 2.5) then a little wax or sealant of your choice. Good as new.

Might I suggest Menzerna power lock sealant! a 16oz bottle will last you a long time.
I followed it up with XMT180 wax although you don't have too. Tightest beading I ever got and I've only done my roof lol. Had to do some heavy paint correction to it and it took me 4 hours.

Clayed
Cut with 3m Perfect-it 3000 compound
used Wool pad for cut
washed the roof
IPA wiped the roof
Swirl removed with 3m Perfect-it 3000 swirl mark remover
washed the roof

Sealed with Menzerna
then waxed with XMT180

Right now the roof is the nicest thing on the truck lol

 

[rjaudi]

How are you sure it doesn't have a clear coat? I've never heard this and Toyota has been using clear coats on cars before 1990. I'd verify this with a dealer or some other reliable source but I'm betting all colors were clear coated.

Some paints they will not put a clear on. My 97 does not have a clear coat, it doesn't mean it won't shine. You see perfect reflection in my paint. If you use a good cutting polish like Menzerna as I did you will notice the polish turning gray as some of the black paint is being removed. They also do this to some whites. I found a spoiler shop that had a diagram to show you what I mean. My 4runner is color code 202, black. See how clearcoat isn't listed beside it.

Toyota 4Runner Car Spoiler - Toyota Spoilers for Toyota 4Runner SUV

 

[Justin727]

Some paints they will not put a clear on. My 97 does not have a clear coat, it doesn't mean it won't shine. You see perfect reflection in my paint. If you use a good cutting polish like Menzerna as I did you will notice the polish turning gray as some of the black paint is being removed. They also do this to some whites. I found a spoiler shop that had a diagram to show you what I mean. My 4runner is color code 202, black. See how clearcoat isn't listed beside it.

Toyota 4Runner Car Spoiler - Toyota Spoilers for Toyota 4Runner SUV

It has been a long time since I've messed around with Yota's and their paint but IIRC white, black, and red are all single stage paints. (no clear)

 

[Uneek]

How are you sure it doesn't have a clear coat? I've never heard this and Toyota has been using clear coats on cars before 1990. I'd verify this with a dealer or some other reliable source but I'm betting all colors were clear coated.

Not on all colors. I know for the second gen 4Runners, black, white and red were not clear coated. The brochures specifically states this.

 

[Uneek]

I agree. Toyota has one of the highest quality when it comes to paint in my opinion. As long as you take care of it, and it doesn't have to be meticulous, the paint will last you a long time with that glossy shine not like American made vehicles or other cheap imports like Hyundai, Kia, or Daewoo. In all the Toyota's my family and I have owned, none of them have dulled nor faded.

I agree with you to a certain degree. The paints on Toyota's will still look good after 8-10 years. It doesn't oxidize the way like other brands do after 5-7 years. HOWEVER, recent Toyota paints chip far too easily.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Ok,I'm corrected and it's good info to know.