Paint looks dull and faded

[mmjaeger]

Hello
I have a white 4Runner Limited 2008 - recently, I noticed that the paint just doesn't look as good as when I got the car two years ago - it looks dull and faded - the clear coat seems to be bad or even missing - I just got it detailed and it certainly looks a lot better - however the lift gate and some other spots still look bad and don't shine anymore.

I was wondering how to go about this - any other people having the same issues with white 4Runners - the car detailer told me that this is a common problem with white Toyota cars. I have had cars from other manufacturers for more than ten years and I never experienced anything like this. Is this covered by Toyota warranty?

Thank you in advance for your input.

 

[HialeahScience]

One word for you: ZAINO

Zaino Store I've used this on all my F-Bodies and Mustangs. Zaino is king, the more that is applied the better it gets.

 

[KCcarguy]

I'm not sure what your detail consisted of.......but a clay bar really helps. Go buy a McGuiers kit at autozone and give it a try.

if the clay bar doesn't work, a orbital polisher is the next step.

 

[mmjaeger]

I'm not sure what your detail consisted of.......but a clay bar really helps. Go buy a McGuiers kit at autozone and give it a try.

if the clay bar doesn't work, a orbital polisher is the next step.

the detailer used a compound and then some wax and most of the car actually looks o.k. - However I'm afraid that the damage to the clear coat is already done - nevertheless, a car that's not even 3 years old should NOT look like this - I had a BMW for more then 10 years and it looked like new although it was exposed to sun, snow, ice and salt. TOYOTA seems to have an issue here.

 

[KCcarguy]

If it was an older car I might buy that. I think your detailer screwed up with the polish or didn't do all he said he did. My BMW paint is definitely better than my Toyotas', but I've had good experiences with my 2005 Tacoma, and my Dads 2004 4R using a clay bar.

Think about it. There are a lot of really nice looking older Toyota's out there driving around (though paint has been reformulated to be more eco-friendly). If foggy/ dull paint was that big of a problem you would see it every day.

 

[EDness]

you have to ask what exactly your detailer did and what products he used.

Do you park the car outside?

I did a detail on my car last sept and mine came out amazing! Took me over 30 hours to finish the job but it was well worth it.

I did wash, clay, 3 stage paint correction with washing the car in between stages, then finished with a sealant. I used all Menzerna products.

 

[Mytoy4]

I'm not sure what your detail consisted of.......but a clay bar really helps. Go buy a McGuiers kit at autozone and give it a try.

if the clay bar doesn't work, a orbital polisher is the next step.

I totally get what you're saying. I wouldn't by any means say mine is faded but to some extent it does look dull. I almost wonder if it's more of a natural white look.
I have mine in for detailing today and I'm really hoping they have time to do the exterior (I originally took it in for the interior only and changed my mind and asked for the exterior to be done as well).
They will be using the clay bar and then wax and polish. I'm really curious to see how much of a difference it makes.
I'll be posting pictures up later today.

 

[KCcarguy]

I totally get what you're saying. I wouldn't by any means say mine is faded but to some extent it does look dull. I almost wonder if it's more of a natural white look.
I have mine in for detailing today and I'm really hoping they have time to do the exterior (I originally took it in for the interior only and changed my mind and asked for the exterior to be done as well).
They will be using the clay bar and then wax and polish. I'm really curious to see how much of a difference it makes.
I'll be posting pictures up later today.

looking forward to seeing how it turns out! :thumb3:

 

[chayos00]

My first thought would be, did you ever have it waxed before? Plus did it always get parked out in the sun?

 

[chaz]

Clear Coat on White 4R - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/87839-white-paint-06-already-rubbing-off-help.html Toyota 4Runner Detailing

 

[galactic_04]

Good luck with the clearcoat. There's none on the plain white 4runner, just the pearl white. You just have to keep it waxed to look decent. It's a one-stage paint meaning no clearcoat is on top of the paint.

Ever notice bright red paint that looks faded pink? same thing. Use a decent polish and a was on it. You may want to use a "paint cleaner" and then a wax and see how that comes out.

My old MR2 has the same paint. I have to buff that every 3-6 months with a meguiars 205 fine polish and then I use a Collinite Insulator wax - it's tough as nails and last a long time. Still gives a great shine too!

 

[mmjaeger]

you have to ask what exactly your detailer did and what products he used.

Do you park the car outside?

I did a detail on my car last sept and mine came out amazing! Took me over 30 hours to finish the job but it was well worth it.

I did wash, clay, 3 stage paint correction with washing the car in between stages, then finished with a sealant. I used all Menzerna products.

car is indeed most of the time outside - southern californian sun - what products were you using?

 

[Specialized]

Faded Silver

I have a 2004 silver 4runner. The fenders are so faded they're practically white. I recently removed the yellow hazing from the headlights. I guess my next project will consist of salvaging
:flamethrwoer2: the fenders.

 

[8086bruce]

Wet sand and buff!

 

[Mytoy4]

I originally took it in for the interior only and changed my mind and asked for the exterior to be done as well.
They will be using the clay bar and then wax and polish. I'm really curious to see how much of a difference it makes.
I'll be posting pictures up later today.

Sorry to take your thread over, but maybe we can figure some of this out together.

Obviously I didn't get the exterior done so no pictures to post yet. I'm a bit irked by the work that it seems the exterior needs.
When I took it to be detailed he did try to do the exterior. He started with the hood, clay bar then polish. He said that it didn't do any good so he stopped.
So the exterior just ended up being washed.
I had someone else try it Monday and it took an hour and a 1/2 to just buff the hood! It does look better and I do plan to have it waxed too, but are you freaking kidding me? Is it really going to take this long to get a good shine on this thing?

 

[KCcarguy]

OK, you guys are starting to convince me. All these detailers can't be wrong. Maybe it's the non-metallic paints. The old tacoma looked great after 6 years but it was silver. Whether Toyota dropped the ball or not, the best answer is claybar, polish, clear-coat protectant and wax......labor intensive, but worth it.

My friend has had great luck with this kit and used the videos online to get started:

Ultimate Machine Polish and Wax Kit - Car Care Kits - Car Care - Griot's Garage

Yes it's expensive, but it pays for itself after one detail (cheaper than paying someone). Definitely a weekend-long project.

 

[Mytoy4]

Well it's good to know that I'm at least on track. Clay bar is done and polish is started. Hope to get to it this week to finish it up. You're right though, it's not a quick job.

 

[Dawg4Runner]

It seems every time I come back from an off-road trip I have "pinstriping" from going up against brush and tree branches. They do a number on the side of the 4Runner. To buff out the pinstriping, after washing the truck, I clay bar it using detailing spray for a lubricant. The clay bar does absolutely nothing to help with the pinstriping or oxidation but it's necessary for removing surface contaminants like bugs, tar, sap and general pollutants that cover the paint (the paint feels like glass after the clay bar). Then I hit it with my Porter Cable Random Orbital Polisher and 3M 39003 Finishing Machine Polish. For areas where there's no pinstriping (like the hood) I'll skip the 3M polish and just clay bar and Zaino it.

Change out the foam pads and put a few coats of Zaino Z2 Pro. The more coats of Z2, the deeper the shine. Then I finish it off with Zaino Z6 Gloss Enhancer and a micro fiber cloth. Not to sound like a commercial, but over the years I've tried all sorts of different waxes and polishes. This combo has worked the best for me.

Before

After

It's hard to demonstrate the gloss under fluorescent lighting and a point and shoot camera but you get the idea. Here are some shots of my Viper after clay bar and Zaino.