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Clear coat gone hood, top and lift gate dandruff belly up and offer opinions!

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by RingSteel, Oct 26, 2022.

  1. Oct 26, 2022 at 3:04 PM
    #1
    RingSteel

    RingSteel [OP] CH-47C - http://www.geronimos.org

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    History: garaged from 2014 to 2017. moved out placed house on market moved into a barn. From 2017 to 2021 sits outside. Clear coat gone. Typical, dandruff on the hood, top flaky dandruff on lift gate. The four doors next to window rubber trim, not bad but noticeable.
    One shop estimate total repaint, strip R&I everything total $8k.
    Next shop, young guy late 30s looks at it say he's to old to get up there and do the roof quick verbal estimate of $5-7k.

    Third shop in Victoria broke it down for me so as not to tie it up for months.
    Goes like this:
    Roof R&R all down to metal prime paint clear coat $1200.
    Hood, feather fenders to blend it all in $1100 and change.
    Lift gate R&I all, spoiler etc $1200 and change.
    Last all four doors and panels with R&I $2500.
    Each one about 7-12 days drive in and out time.

    85k on the clock. Big ticket items done by me: rotors & pads front OEM parts. Rear brake rotor good new OEM pads. New OEM plugs due to age not mileage, PCV done 2 years ago. Coolant done 2 years ago, Power steering flush done last year. All gear train underneath fluid done with Amsoil at 50k or so.
    All to give picture of care given to vehicle.

    Cost benefit analysis of current value of vehicle. Have not looked into it cause its been paid off long ago.
    Here are my thoughts on this. Protect roof, hood, lift gate and skip the door panels (only part w/o clear coat dandruff)
    This puts me out about $3.2k done in three stages.

    Guess I'm looking for peer check.
    Did I overlook the obvious?, miss something? or have a different suggestion?
    Get a fourth estimate?
    With that in mind, enough rambling, let the opinions flood in......heh....
    thanks.....
     
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  2. Oct 26, 2022 at 3:10 PM
    #2
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

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    Can't really tell without pics but if clear coat is really gone I'd just drive it.

    Why spend all that money unless you trying to sell.
     
  3. Oct 26, 2022 at 3:18 PM
    #3
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah New Member

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    Agree. Great candidate for trail rig now that you don't have to care about the paint. It'll be very liberating when you get off road.

    Another option would be just to buff off all the dandruff, and then have it vinyl wrapped it in the color & pattern of your choice.

    If I was to have my silver one wrapped, I would go with an old school dazzle camo pattern.
     
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  4. Oct 26, 2022 at 3:25 PM
    #4
    RingSteel

    RingSteel [OP] CH-47C - http://www.geronimos.org

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    yeah well wife is kinda like: you'll have to pry my 4rnr from my cold hands or something to that effect.....lol.....so it ain't going off roading ...heh...

    yeah didn't see need for pics we've all seen them......varying degrees...none of it to the metal though...
     
  5. Oct 26, 2022 at 3:35 PM
    #5
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

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    wrap is probably cheaper.
     
  6. Oct 26, 2022 at 3:36 PM
    #6
    Ironguy

    Ironguy New Member

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    I typed this into You Tube and got some interesting results: first aid for clear coat cosmetic weather damage
     
  7. Oct 26, 2022 at 6:00 PM
    #7
    08TXRunner

    08TXRunner New Member

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    Welcome to shit Toyota paint - going on 20 years.
     
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  8. Oct 26, 2022 at 6:34 PM
    #8
    SlvrSlug

    SlvrSlug Slightly bent.

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    Take it to Maaco, get the best paint job they have (maybe $2000.00) last 5 yrs. Do it again.
     
  9. Oct 26, 2022 at 6:55 PM
    #9
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    If the wife is ok with condition, let it ride. Then get a big lift kit and/or bumpers to make it look like a “no-sh*ts given” badass 4runner? Who cares if you wont wheel it? And wife might like the idea.

    However, if it’s an embarrassment, to be seen in public in it, then a wrap might be the best/cheapest?
    Probably a good idea to run the numbers…

    I honestly had no idea painting a car was that expensive . Oh well, I can’t take back the last two years of off-roading. Every pinstripe and branch-bash tells a story…. That’s what I tell myself every night lol.

    But seriously, not that you’d go looking to abuse your own possessions, but there is some serious freedom that comes from imperfection. That 4runner sounds well taken care of example, and potentially great buy for somebody looking for a perfectly imperfect Earth Roamer. If the frame is solid, probably could sell it for not that much under market value. It’s worth running the numbers!
     
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  10. Oct 26, 2022 at 6:58 PM
    #10
    STrooper

    STrooper Let’s Go Places!

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    Any pics OP?
     
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  11. Oct 26, 2022 at 7:17 PM
    #11
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    I wonder what changed. The paint on my '03 looked decent after 15 years of neglect. I think a good buff would have had it looking new.

    Meanwhile, the paint on my '12 TC, '15 Tacoma, and '19 4runner have all scratched very easily. The 4Runner seems a little bit better than the other 2, though. I mean, it's scratched up, but those scratches are well earned. :D
     
  12. Oct 26, 2022 at 7:49 PM
    #12
    Slopemaster

    Slopemaster Slope Survivalist

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    Sounds like you have the same luck I’ve had with vehicle paint.

    Everyone’s comments are on target. 10k+ for a proper repaint sounds right. My only input is that if you decide to spend the money on a repaint, I would get it all sprayed at once. IMHO, your gonna have color matching issues if they piece meal the job, especially with metal flake.

    A wrap is probably your best bet as long as it’s not covering any potential rust. Another advantage is you can now part where you want without worrying as much.
     
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  13. Oct 26, 2022 at 8:05 PM
    #13
    RingSteel

    RingSteel [OP] CH-47C - http://www.geronimos.org

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    I agree totally. The roof no one would ever notice imperfect match. The hood he did say he feathers the fenders as well for that reason. The lift gate a solid back panel where the average twit(erverse) would never notice but another 4rnr gear head....lol...
     
  14. Oct 26, 2022 at 8:17 PM
    #14
    RingSteel

    RingSteel [OP] CH-47C - http://www.geronimos.org

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    So now that I'm close to getting brow beaten for no pics....(i kid, i kid)....here are a few....
    Full disclosure, I'll probably throw the forum under the bus.
    Tell wife hey the guys at the forum said.......
    And when she asks who?
    I'll be as specific as a politician under oath....
    Then lead her for the roof and hood.
    A ratted out looking 4Runner in today's social world just makes a lower profile to the many 'purty' ones riding around....heh...
    And I did need a good laugh today so much appreciated all the opinions....I just knew y'all wouldn't disappoint...:cheers:
    Well almost.....surprised the 'worthless w/o pics didn't get posted....lol...ah..nope too late....!

    20221026_215713.jpg 20221026_215720.jpg 20221026_215742.jpg 20221026_215843.jpg 20221026_215854.jpg
     
  15. Oct 26, 2022 at 9:19 PM
    #15
    Slopemaster

    Slopemaster Slope Survivalist

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    Pictures really capture the damaged paint. That’s a real bummer.
     
  16. Oct 26, 2022 at 9:24 PM
    #16
    RingSteel

    RingSteel [OP] CH-47C - http://www.geronimos.org

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    Yeah, I went through a few stages of Arrrrgh *&^% T&^&^yota....then to a crap I ain't gonna buff this all day long....to a quick car wash and call it good...
    Now I'll expend the honest effort of getting estimates, she knows I'm a 'show me data' kind a guy...then I'll harvest the best comments here drop a couples cubes of ice , shake it good and pour out a cool reply for her......like.....well whadda ya think...not so bad as it look huh?
    unless ya gots 5k in your coffee can...in which case IF she did the 4rnr would be the least of my problems...lol...
     
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  17. Oct 27, 2022 at 9:45 AM
    #17
    Ironguy

    Ironguy New Member

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    Or............ you could clean up the driver's door and the hood since that is mostly what you see as the driver and see what happens????
     
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  18. Oct 27, 2022 at 11:13 AM
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    STrooper

    STrooper Let’s Go Places!

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    OP - Is hard to tell from the pictures but in most cases you only need to re-clear instead of painting the whole truck. This issue happens with every car manufacturer, it’s not a “Toyota” issue like some would like to believe. I have painted cars before and my last project was painting my wife rear bumper.
    upload_2022-10-27_14-12-52.jpgupload_2022-10-27_14-12-52.jpgupload_2022-10-27_14-12-52.jpg
    upload_2022-10-27_14-13-26.jpgupload_2022-10-27_14-13-26.jpgupload_2022-10-27_14-13-26.jpg
     

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  19. Oct 27, 2022 at 11:44 AM
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    Slopemaster

    Slopemaster Slope Survivalist

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    Wow, good job with the wife’s car.

    I was told years ago when my 97’ red Tacoma faded that they couldn’t just reapply the clear coat. Maybe things have changed? Or it was too far gone.
     
  20. Oct 27, 2022 at 12:10 PM
    #20
    STrooper

    STrooper Let’s Go Places!

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    Nothing has changed, some shops rather paint the whole car to charge more since they still have to sand everything down anyways. Op’s 4runner doesn’t look that bad but is very hard to judge by the pictures.
     
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  21. Oct 27, 2022 at 12:28 PM
    #21
    hossler1788

    hossler1788 Turtle

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    Man, I bet you regret not getting it waxed regularly. But this is very common with toyota(and other makes). I often see many 2nd gen tacomas, and 4th gen 4runners with faded clear like that.

    Every year, I put down a ceramic coating. Yes if you do it correctly it does take some time. Hopefully it helps keep that from happening in a couple years. Fingers crossed
     
  22. Oct 27, 2022 at 12:38 PM
    #22
    kolter45

    kolter45 Inferno Pro & 4.0 Tacoma

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    My 08 Corolla paint is so bad I bet USAA would total the car if they saw it. I feel yea OP. Hell, you probably could still sell it for $40k
     
  23. Oct 27, 2022 at 3:45 PM
    #23
    JR7

    JR7 New Member

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    ^^THIS^^ Looks like the color is still decent and the clear is coming off. A careful sanding to not cut through the color will remove the clear. They can spot repair/blend any color that needs redone, then sand again and respray the clearcoat. Way less work than being mentioned by shops. They want the $$.

    EDIT: I will say that the paint on my 04' Taco is finally beyond caring. But being white, it's very hard to tell where the clear is gone. Looks pretty damn good for almost 20 and 260k mi. I like white.
     
  24. Oct 27, 2022 at 6:41 PM
    #24
    08TXRunner

    08TXRunner New Member

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    Waxing has *nothing* to do with the clear coat failing. Nothing.
     
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  25. Oct 27, 2022 at 9:20 PM
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    mac1usa

    mac1usa New Member

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    I would get the entire thing fixed if you keep it. That would drive me nuts. Whether it’s clear or paint and clear so the hole thing. You’ll regret the half a$& job later on when you get in it.

    I love my new 4R but agree I can tell the paint is cheap as is the frame. It’s a shame. I think the domestics offer better paint jobs but lack quality. It’s a tradeoff and should not be.

    I believe in wax helping though if you do not take to automatic car washes. I don’t know much about ceramic but it’s the new wave.

    Best with your decision
     
  26. Oct 27, 2022 at 9:46 PM
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    Slopemaster

    Slopemaster Slope Survivalist

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    I actually think I waxed my 97’ Tacoma too much and removed the clear coat. It was only 3 years old when the red started fading.

    The paint on my 12’ Sequoia (brown metallic) looks great after 10 years and we hardly touch it other than the wife running it through the automatic car wash once a month.

    I’m thinking the less you touch the paint the better off it is?
     
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  27. Oct 27, 2022 at 10:32 PM
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    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    Op is from Texas? The sun down south can be absolutely brutal on paint, especially if the outside parking spot has no shade. I had an accord that had very nice paint at 15 years old. It was garaged when not used. Then it went outside in direct sunlight…2 years later the clearcoat started to give up on the roof and trunk…the areas where it got the most sun.
     
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  28. Oct 27, 2022 at 10:37 PM
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    Slopemaster

    Slopemaster Slope Survivalist

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    Thats a good point. UV plays a part.
     
  29. Nov 2, 2022 at 6:34 AM
    #29
    RingSteel

    RingSteel [OP] CH-47C - http://www.geronimos.org

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    update from one shop. 2900.00 for entire vehicle.
    So in January it'll be taken in for a make over.
    the third estimate was 6k. Different locations, operations costs and else drives their estimates. two of them use software and punch in the hours.
    Do plan on speaking with the estimator on the one for 3k though, just to be sure. Was told by a shop hand she was new to the software.
    I don't want any whoopsie mah bad I was off by another 2k...!....heh
     
  30. Nov 2, 2022 at 6:59 AM
    #30
    STrooper

    STrooper Let’s Go Places!

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    Not a bad price at all and you should do it ASAP. Specially if they warrant the job etc. Again, you should take that deal ASAP and report back once the job is done so we can see the final product!!!
     
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