Has anyone checked with a paint shop to see if a clearcoat can be added......

[grampi]

.....over the factory clearcoat to make the finish more durable? If you buy a new Yaris, maybe you can take it to a paint shop when you first get it and have them put like 10 coats of clearcoat over the factory stuff before any damage occurs. I'm not sure how much this would cost, but it seems to me even if it costs $400-$500 it would be worth it to protect the ultra-thin factory paint. Also, maybe there's some type of special clearcoat that's available that car manufacturers don't use that is far more durable. I've talked with paint guys in the past and most of them seem very knowledgeable. Might be worth a shot.

[brickhardmeat]

sure it can

you are driving a rolla, I doubt the paint will be any different than what you already have

[grampi]

Originally Posted by brickhardmeat

sure it can

you are driving a rolla, I doubt the paint will be any different than what you already have

Yeah, my 'Rolla's paint is pretty thin too, but it's also 8 years old and I'm not overly concerned about the few chips it has. I would however be concerned about the paint on a brand new Yari though.

[brickhardmeat]

I understand you are concerned but like I said I haven't had any issues with the paint. You could get the 3M protective installed, or clear coat.

[churp]

I don't know what type of paint Toyota uses, not really qualified to answer but have heard a lot of companies have been switching to water base paints due to environmental concerns (but 'cost' is always the main concern). The urethane clearcoats have always been durable, but I can't see any cost effectiveness in repainting unless it needs it....good bodyshops are expensive, and the mediocre shops will probably do you more harm.

Paint also expands at a differant rate than metal, so the show cars can handle many coats of paint, daily drivers facing hot summer sun and frigid winters will crack and peel in no time. If you would go ahead with clearcoating, stay with one or two coats, three at the absolute most, just enough for the paint to 'flow' into a gloss covering. IMO the Yaris paint problem isn't thickness, but the durability of the coating.....it 'marks' very easily.

Edit add on: I was skeptical of everyones complaints the 1st four months I had my car....then an empty shopping cart put a 2" scratch in the cear coat, and a stick put 2 more 3" scratches in it. Cearcoat scratches appear white and show up well on black....I'll use compound and rub them out, but this wouldn't have been an issue, in these 2 instances, with urethane.

[JosephDoc]

I have noticed the LB of ours have pretty thin clear coats when compare Lexus. No complain since I did not have budget to get a better car, and I never thought about getting extra coat for this car.

I am sure any bodyshop can sell you an extra coat, and it prolly won't be cheap. I remember dealer was offering for additional $1,400, and they said they will re-condition on the coating every 12 months for next five years. Of course I did not buy that.

My Yaya does not have the extra bling coat, but I love it the most among of my cars.

[Black Yaris]

Originally Posted by JosephDoc

I have noticed the LB of ours have pretty thin clear coats when compare Lexus. No complain since I did not have budget to get a better car, and I never thought about getting extra coat for this car.

I am sure any bodyshop can sell you an extra coat, and it prolly won't be cheap. I remember dealer was offering for additional $1,400, and they said they will re-condition on the coating every 12 months for next five years. Of course I did not buy that.

My Yaya does not have the extra bling coat, but I love it the most among of my cars.

There is no Clear coat on our car

[Vanderkitten]

I would try a really good wax to help keep the surface slick and it will add a small level of protection from stones and keys.

There is, of course, clear coat on the paint... just not a lot... nor is there a lot of paint.

[Black Yaris]

Originally Posted by Vanderkitten

I would try a really good wax to help keep the surface slick and it will add a small level of protection from stones and keys.

There is, of course, clear coat on the paint... just not a lot... nor is there a lot of paint.

are you sure there is clear on our cars? where my paint it chipping (my whole front end) it does not look like there is a clear... but then again I am not a paint expert

[grampi]

I was thinking about having just the front end and hood done. That's where most of the damage would occur anyway.

[nsmitchell]

I was at the Honda dealership with friends looking at the new CR-V and the cars in the showroom all had "ScotchGuard/3M" film protectors on the front ends. Looked great. I would drive the car to the closest film installer after you buy it, get it installed and then tell us how much it costs. hehe

[grampi]

Originally Posted by nsmitchell

I was at the Honda dealership with friends looking at the new CR-V and the cars in the showroom all had "ScotchGuard/3M" film protectors on the front ends. Looked great. I would drive the car to the closest film installer after you buy it, get it installed and then tell us how much it costs. hehe

We had the 3M stuff installed on my wife's MPV when it was new. It's seems to be good stuff and it's held up well, but you can see the edges of it. It leaves a faint line where it ends. That's why I'm going to be looking into having something sprayed on. If there's a type of clearcoat protectant they can spray on, they could do the entire front end and hood and you wouldn't wouldn't even know it was on there. It would look the same as the rest on the car.

[ChinoCharles]

Both of my parent's BMW's came from the factory with an adhesive protective mask on the front ends, if that tells you anything.

Grampi, I'm sure you can get some kind of paint insurance. I seem to distinctly remember while in the finance office this guy pitched me this coating that apparently uber-protected the car. He sprayed it with spraypaint and wiped it off. Maybe something like that would help?

I mean, you live in Ohio man. Your paint is going to shit. If you want to protect your paint move south!

[brickhardmeat]

then you'll be dodging tumbleweeds

[JosephDoc]

Really? So there is no clear coat.. lol. I thought all car should have it or at least at some minimum level.

I got my custom-wrap (not template) clearbra done by PremierMobileGroup. I had the full front hood, bumper, headlamps, fenders, and 2 doors under the films. It had cost me a good chunk of dough but I just hate to see paint-chips.

PremierMobileGroup and a sample pic:


Check out their site for their jobs on some finest cars.

[sherryberry]

Does our cars really not have a clear coat on it? Someone verify!!

[death is my gift]

Are they suppose to have a clear coat?

[grampi]

I would be shocked if the Yaris doesn't have clearcoat on it. Every car I know of built within the last 10 years or so has had clearcoat.