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Toyota Prius Paint Quality?

33 messages,  Last post on Aug 05, 2009 at 8:49 PM

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#14 of 33 Re: Quality of paint? [bshugart] by brianh2 Apr 23, 2008 (7:09 am)
Replying to: bshugart (Sep 03, 2007 8:30 am) I have a 2006 silver Prius. I do a lot of highway driving, but, SERIOUSLY, I don't follow closely. I always leave multiple car lengths between me and the car in front of me.   Anyway, initially I noticed an unusual amount of dings on my hood. Then my housemate used the car to pick me up at the airport just over a year ago and hit a deer. So, the hood was replaced with a brand new hood. In the last year I must have gotten over 50 dings on my hood.   I had an Altima with over 200,000 miles on in and NEVER had a problem with dings. Add to that the fact that my Prius "bumper" and fenders have NO dings on them. I wonder as to the quality of hard coat on my hood.   I need to find out whether it's worthwhile to go to my insurer and find out if this is unusual and Toyota should repaint it for free.   If it is usual wear and tear, should I pay for it to be repainted? And what do I do to prevent this from continuing to happen? Some kind of plastic protection? Replies to this message: kduran (Jun 06, 2008 7:22 pm) bshugart (Jun 07, 2008 5:41 am)
#15 of 33 Re: Quality of paint? [brianh2] by kduran Jun 06, 2008 (7:22 pm)
Replying to: brianh2 (Apr 23, 2008 7:09 am) I'd like to know if a "class action" suit is formed re: the POOR paint quality--too many paint chips (to the metal!), especially on the hood of Prius. (If such a suit exists, is there a mileage parameter the vehicle must be within?) Did you go to your (auto?) insurer? If so, the result? Thanks! If not totally repainted, what may be done to "repair" and maintain? Replies to this message: bshugart (Jun 07, 2008 5:41 am)
#16 of 33 Re: Quality of paint? [kduran] by bshugart Jun 07, 2008 (5:41 am)
Replying to: kduran (Jun 06, 2008 7:22 pm) I bought some touch-up paint at Auto Zone. Can't see the chips for the splattered bugs. Have not heard of any insurance carriers paying for a new paint job or Toyota for that matter. IMHO, It has to do with the aerodynamics of the car, so a new paint job is not going to fix the problem.
#17 of 33 I agree by rick294 Jun 10, 2008 (11:28 am)
I agree with kduran. The front end of the car slopes sharply down, for aerodynamics. That's the whole point. Low air resistance. As such, it is going to attract a lot of "stuff" striking the hood. And I've had a couple or so rocks bounce off the hood and hit the windshield. I commute 72 miles round trip per weekday here in southern Oregon, about 90% freeway in my '08 package 2. I have several tiny dings in the hood. I don't blame Toyota for that. Replies to this message: ddgc (Jun 24, 2008 7:54 pm) ggala (Aug 08, 2008 8:08 am)
#18 of 33 Re: I agree [rick294] by ddgc Jun 24, 2008 (7:54 pm)
Replying to: rick294 (Jun 10, 2008 11:28 am) I feel that it is more the paint that is the issue. Mine is only 6 months old, has 15,000 miles on it but many places have deep scratches, inside door jams, in door handle holes, (i have keyless entry and short nails), backs of mirrors, door edges, besides the ones on the hood. I ffle for some reason the paint is poor. I even had the extra protective coating put on after I purchased the car. Replies to this message: ggala (Aug 08, 2008 8:08 am)
#19 of 33 Invisible Mask by oldcoach Jun 25, 2008 (11:00 am)
I tried the Invisible Mask to protect the hood from little dings. I do not recommend it unless you are a pro at installing the plastic. Remember the old cling wrap thats what it is like, very hard to work with, leaves bubbles, and they are very hard to get out. FINALLY I JUST TOOK IT OFF AS IT LOOKED WORSE THAN A FEW FUTURE CHIPS. A wasted 120.00 but live and learn. If any one has a better idea please let me know.
#20 of 33 re: invisible mask by ddgc Jun 25, 2008 (5:51 pm)
I got the one that the toyota dealer was "selling",, had a private "professional" put it on. did good job putting it on but don't know that it helped very much,,, and would need to cover the entire care to be worth the $899................
#21 of 33 more on paint problem by ggala Aug 08, 2008 (8:08 am)
Replying to: ddgc (Jun 24, 2008 7:54 pm) The dealership where I purchased my 2007 Prius (tan/sand) told me that the paint chips on the front bumper were from the roads I drove on, which are the same roads everyone else drives on here (Michigan). They would not do anything about it. After my husband complained (he has a Highlander Hybrid with no chips purchased at the same time and he drives his car much more than I do mine) the dealership took my car, had someone else check the chips who said they were not "normal" road wear and tear. He then promised to clean it up and put a coating on and a rear bumper sheath. Now I've got "white chips" and the back chips can be seen through the sheath. My windshield wipers were all chipped and rusted and the plastic mechanisims are gouged. They replace the wiper handles, but the rest is still gouged. Toyota Corp. in Los Angeles told me a few months ago that they agree with the "road" wear and tear story and that this is not covered under warranty; if I could find another Toyota dealership to say it was not due to normal wear and tear then they would consider fixing it. I've been driving a car for more than 35 years. Never have I had a paint chip problem, especially within eight months of purchase. I am now going to an outside collision shop recommended by my insurance agent. The guy told me today that he will do all he can to help me get Toyota to fix the problem. (By the way, when I told Toyota Corp. that a lot of people were complaining about the same thing, the guy told me that he hasn't heard of anything AND online is just "urban legend", and a place for people to complain, which they refuse to listen to.)   If there is no success with after the collision guy's help, I plan on finding who to file complaints with aside from Better Business and the State Attorney General. The insurance agent suggested calling a "lemon law" attorney for help. My neighbor works for the Crysler Proving Grounds, where they test all types of new gadgets, paints, etc. on cars. She said that something is terribly wrong and it could be a case of "getting away with cheap" - which is something they try to do all the time - hence the proving grounds. She also recommended an outside collision shop that was not affiliated with any dealerships. One more thing...the Toyota dealership told me DO NOT PAINT YOUR CAR UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE because it would hurt the resale value. Dah?
#22 of 33 Strange by rick294 Aug 08, 2008 (10:11 am)
This is very odd. I have an '08 and don't have that problem. I drive 72 miles on freeway 5 days a week and don't have but a very few little rock chips. Nothing wrong with the plastic around the base of the wipers...
#23 of 33 Prius paint chips by ddgc Sep 28, 2008 (10:43 am)
reply to ggala: I would be more than willing to add my input to any avenue that you may find for more "witness" or whatever we can do to see if Toyota will own up to this cheap paint job. I'm tired of the runaround and non-responsibility of Toyota. thanks ddgc

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