Paint crack in ‘21 LC

[WkndProject]

I’ve tried on the body/paint board without success, so hopefully ok to ask here. Not completely about repair, but mostly about repair.

I noticed this paint crack within the first 2-3 weeks of picking up my ‘21 LC. Maybe an 1/8” long, through the paint, and possible surface rust in the crack. Being that it’s so small and thin, it’s hard to examine. I can’t imagine that I picked it up in the first couple hundred miles. I’ve never had bare metal exposed on a car, much less, a brand new LC.

it’s been a few months now and not knowing what to do has led me to doing nothing. From the start, I’ve assumed I took delivery as such, but my fault for not inspecting every inch.

So for those that have dealt with minor rust:
1. Mention to dealer but sure they’d say “happened after delivery”
2. Put touch up paint on, crack a beer, and forget about it. Tiny rust won’t spread once sealed from oxygen and water.
3. try to remove any rust, but will inevitably make it bigger. Then touch up paint.

appreciate the advice to help break my paralysis by analysis.

 

[CharlieS]

I’d be inclined to take it to a body shop and get it repaired properly.

 

[luke27617]

Clean rust best you can, clean up with alcohol and touch it up.

 

[CharlieS]

The problem I’ve seen is that if you don’t get to clean metal, painting just delays the inevitable. It doesn’t stop rusting just because it gets painted over.

 

[bronc076]

Where is that picture taken? Is that the rear window? That’s the only place I see glass edge on my 2015. Is the pic upside down? What is the texture black line?

 

[bloc]

If that is the top of the windshield you could very well just be unlucky. Any forward facing painted edge can have this happen.

I'd go get the correct toyota touch up paint then bring that to a good auto body shop. They may need to open it up a bit to get to the rust at the root but if they know what they are doing you won't be able to tell when they are done.

 

[Tex68w]

Where on the vehicle is this?

 

[Zjohnsonua]

#3. Dremel it out, clean and prep the area, then cover with touch up paint. Half job.

 

[lx200inAR]

Here's a post I bookmarked for diy paint repair.

Scored 2011 LC W/79K OMG CLEAN (2012 missing link)

While under the hood I found some clips missing from front plastic cover. Easy fix with OEM clips.

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[WkndProject]

Thanks for the responses. My first thought was that I need a really, really small Dremel wheel.
It is just above the windshield. I’ve circled here:

It is really small. But plan to keep my LC until my wife makes me sell it, so don’t want any rust.

My preferred body/repair shop usually doesn’t want to deal with touch ups, want to shoot whole panels. Guess I need to ask around.

Any recommend in the New Orleans area for body shops? Baton Rouge is close enough too.

Thanks!

 

[bloc]

Some high end detail shops are wizards with touch ups too.. might be worth asking them, and especially, seeing if they have pictures of their work.

 

[Weedhopper]

^^^ True they use artists type sprayers for small areas. Paint that new should be an easy match.

Not terribly expensive and a much better job than DIY.

 

[nolamule]

@katzalex any recommendations for a competent local shop to get @WkndProject fixed up?

 

[stpetedale]

Looks like some goo?? Try some goo b gone. I'd order a Dr.color chip small kit. You will need for future chips as Toyota paint systems are very prone to road chips. The kits are very simple to use.

 

[katzalex]

@WkndProject feel free to bring it by shop and I’ll have my detailers check it out. We also have a professional touch up guy that’s come by once a week that we can schedule if it needs it. I’d be surprised if it was rust already unless you live in grand isle or somewhere on the water and if it’s just bare metal some touch up paint will protect it.

I’m at NOLA Motorcars, 3213 26th Street in Metairie.

 

[AverageJones]

All Toyotas have a 5 year unlimited mileage corrosion perforation warranty. Take it to Toyota and see if they will cover it before you do anything to it.

 

[Cruisin911]

5 year unlimited mileage corrosion perforation warranty

It isn't perforating corrosion. They won't do anything. Guaranteed. I had to repaint my entire hood because the paint was literally flaking and falling off. Same thing happened on some tundras. Paint was not cured correctly or prepped correctly. Toyota did absolutely nothing but note it in a file.

 

[AverageJones]

It isn't perforating corrosion. They won't do anything. Guaranteed. I had to repaint my entire hood because the paint was literally flaking and falling off. Same thing happened on some tundras. Paint was not cured correctly or prepped correctly. Toyota did absolutely nothing but note it in a file.

Sorry about what happened with your paint, but it's not a guarantee they won't do anything. We've had a bunch of Prius (Prii?) that had issues that Toyota repainted, a do recall a Tundra and a Camry as well. Now I'm not saying it is a 100% they will fix it, but it's at least worth a shot taking it to them and getting a case worked up. Could save a bunch.

 

[Mazderati]

Is the paint cracking or is it a scratch or chip? The better touch-up pens include paint, clear coat, and have an abrasive tip on one end that is used like a pencil eraser to smooth out the defect and remove any oxidation. If it's a scratch or chip that's the route I would go.

 

[TxnBluDvl]

I’ve had good luck with Dr. Colorchip as well. Easy to apply after the rust mitigation, prep work is done.