Toyota/ LC paint: is it durable? (1 Viewer)

[Katkon]

With the help of some you of you, I've decided to buy a new '16 LC, which is exciting. As I live in Texas, and the car will spend much of its time outdoors, I've decided on a light color. The benefit of a lighter color is that - in my experience - they do a better job of concealing light dirt of scratches.

Trouble is, a spot of research around Toyota's paint in general seems to raise a number of red flags about generally inferior paint (vs the Germans in particular). Blizzard Pearl and Classic Silver (I'm leaning towards the later for practical reasons, though also love Magnetic Gray), for example, are frequently cited as coming with all sorts of problems including easy chipping, fading/losing shine, losing clear coats, oxidizing etc. I have no idea whether this is actually a widespread set of issues, or fairly common.

To that, I have several questions with which I hope some of you can help.

1. Is the paint on a Land Cruiser identical - in terms of make-up, consistency and application - to that found on other models (eg Prius) or is it of "hardier" stock given the intended purpose and durability of the LC?

2. Of all the offered paint colors offered on the '16 LC - especially Blizzard Pearl, Classic Silver and Magnetic Gray, which would be considered toughest in standing up to the wear and tear of the Texas sun. This truck may sit outside for extended periods, though it will be waxed regularly (and get paint protection film on the front).

Thanks in advance!

 

[CT3]

I too have been curious about this. Having had about a dozen German cars in a row I can attest to the fact that the paint is exceptionally durable, even in a mix of hot summer, salty winters and lots of highway running and unpaved back roads... Hoping the LC will be able to continue that streak

 

[Katkon]

I too have been curious about this. Having had about a dozen German cars in a row I can attest to the fact that the paint is exceptionally durable, even in a mix of hot summer, salty winters and lots of highway running and unpaved back roads... Hoping the LC will be able to continue that streak

My wife once drove up our driveway while the hydraulic wrought iron gate closed on the car. Once it made contact, she continued to drive - resulting in large, long black marks down the side of the car. The car was dented slightly where the gate made contact, but the paint was immaculate - the black streaks were from the gate and simply washed off. Bloody incredible. This was a '02 Merc ML 500.

 

[luke27617]

Agree, Germans have a great paint. My 435i does not have a single chip in paint, but plenty in the windshield so I know the car is being tested. I dove up to 160mph limit during european delivery trip and nothing. All my toyotas including Lexuses had chiping problem. As soon as I got the 16 land cruiser i had clear bra installed. I cannot comment on fading as I have never kept cars too long.

 

[Markuson]

With the help of some you of you, I've decided to buy a new '16 LC, which is exciting. As I live in Texas, and the car will spend much of its time outdoors, I've decided on a light color. The benefit of a lighter color is that - in my experience - they do a better job of concealing light dirt of scratches.

Trouble is, a spot of research around Toyota's paint in general seems to raise a number of red flags about generally inferior paint (vs the Germans in particular). Blizzard Pearl and Classic Silver (I'm leaning towards the later for practical reasons, though also love Magnetic Gray), for example, are frequently cited as coming with all sorts of problems including easy chipping, fading/losing shine, losing clear coats, oxidizing etc. I have no idea whether this is actually a widespread set of issues, or fairly common.

To that, I have several questions with which I hope some of you can help.

1. Is the paint on a Land Cruiser identical - in terms of make-up, consistency and application - to that found on other models (eg Prius) or is it of "hardier" stock given the intended purpose and durability of the LC?

2. Of all the offered paint colors offered on the '16 LC - especially Blizzard Pearl, Classic Silver and Magnetic Gray, which would be considered toughest in standing up to the wear and tear of the Texas sun. This truck may sit outside for extended periods, though it will be waxed regularly (and get paint protection film on the front).

Thanks in advance!

I have owned 5 different Toyotas.

The three non-Land Cruisers had paint that eventually failed.
But my Silver 16 year old 100 Series? -Paint was still PERFECT when I sold it this last year...and...for the 13 years I owned it? It was NOT garaged...because it was too tall to fit.
Add to this that I waxed it ONCE during that entire time...and regularly ran it through pretty harsh car-washes...and it stood up incredibly well.

I'm convinced the Land Cruiser is treated completely differently in the Toyota world. They really go the extra mile with durability, and that seems to include paint.

Whatever you do...don't let anyone talk you into getting a clear-coat over the paint to "protect it!". 90% of paint problems I see in California come from the clear stuff peeling off long before the paint itself fails.

The 2008 200 I recently bought is dark grey...8 years old now...and the paint is perfect still.

Here's a thought: Go look up a bunch of used Land Cruisers in AutoTrader.com. When you do, ...look at the paint on 10-15 year old LCs. I would be willing to bet that 100 series dating back to 1998 will be mostly great.

 

[cc1999]

I have had 4 different 200s, all of them have chipped somewhat easily on the hoods.
Mine have all been garaged, so not sure about fade.
My opinion is Toyota paint is just a little too thin.

Clear bra on the nose is probably not a bad idea.
We have a clear bra on our black LS and I know its done its job. 4 years and no chips and no issues from the clear bra.

There are not really any German options in direct competition with the LC. The GL is a unibody car. There is nothing really equal to the 200s on the market, so you should not let the the thin paint sway you. Just get the clear bra and enjoy the ride.

White is my favorite color for large Suv's or trucks. However, I just hate metalic / off whites like "blizzard pearl". So since Toyota no longer offers Super white in US spec, I am going to have yo ho with silver on my next Cruiser.

 

[Markuson]

I have had 4 different 200s, all of them have chipped somewhat easily on the hoods.
Mine have all been garaged, so not sure about fade.
My opinion is Toyota paint is just a little too thin.

Clear bra on the nose is probably not a bad idea.
We have a clear bra on our black LS and I know its done its job. 4 years and no chips and no issues from the clear bra.

There are not really any German options in direct competition with the LC. The GL is a unibody car. There is nothing really equal to the 200s on the market, so you should not let the the thin paint sway you. Just get the clear bra and enjoy the ride.

White is my favorite color for large Suv's or trucks. However, I just hate metalic / off whites like "blizzard pearl". So since Toyota no longer offers Super white in US spec, I am going to have yo ho with silver on my next Cruiser.

I don't know of any paint that is immune to rock/chip damage.

Longevity was the question. Not immunity from rock strikes.

If you've had four 200's all with rock chips...then I think you might want to consider the roads you frequent...rather than assume weak LC paint!

 

[cc1999]

I don't know of any paint that is immune to rock/chip damage.

Longevity was the question. Not immunity from rock strikes.

If you've had four 200's all with rock chips...then I think you might want to consider the roads you frequent...rather than assume weak LC paint!

The OP originally asked specifically about chipping . The OP also specifically mentioned wanting a clear protective coating on the front.
I notice your in CA, that's probably why your not seeing what many others due in the majority of the US where we do get at least some snow and ice . Which where there is snow and ice, there is also road crews using salt and sand on roadways. Sand pebbles being spread on bridges and overpasses in the winter storms is the primary cause of chipping on the nose and why clear bra protection is likely a good idea in those areas of the country that have winters. The liquid road salt solutions are what causes the rust. I hate winter.

 

[ryanCA]

I have owned 9 Lexus products, and 4 Land Cruiser/LX. I have had FJ60/FJ80/100/200.

If you park them inside, no problem. BUT since you will park it outside, the Toyota paint WILL fade. Look at used 100/Used 80/Used 60. Their hoods and their roofs are first to go.

The best paint I have owned is my Lexus LS. One sat outside 9 years in CA sun (LS600h), and not a single fade. My WORST paint is a Lotus Elise, which gets dings when I look at it.


I would expect 200 paint to fade, just like ALL other LC before it, and same as Prius, Camry, Accords, IF parked outside in the Southwest/Texas ALL its life.

 

[ryanCA]

Here's a thought: Go look up a bunch of used Land Cruisers in AutoTrader.com. When you do, ...look at the paint on 10-15 year old LCs. I would be willing to bet that 100 series dating back to 1998 will be mostly great.

My friend is buying a 100. He looked at 9 Land Cruiser/LX on Craigslist. I went with him. You can search the ads yourself. 4 of them had faded hood and faded roof.

Most LC/LX are garaged, the ones that are not, are just like FJ80/FJ60 with peeling paint and fade of clear coat on hood and roof.

LC is built to a higher reliability and it is a best product ASIDE from Toyota Crown, in the Toyota Family. BUT the LC paint is the same quality as the rest of Toyotas.....and NOT hand polished like the Lexus LS products

 

[Markuson]

My friend is buying a 100. He looked at 9 Land Cruiser/LX on Craigslist. I went with him. You can search the ads yourself. 4 of them had faded hood and faded roof.

Most LC/LX are garaged, the ones that are not, are just like FJ80/FJ60 with peeling paint and fade of clear coat on hood and roof.

LC is built to a higher reliability and it is a best product ASIDE from Toyota Crown, in the Toyota Family. BUT the LC paint is the same quality as the rest of Toyotas.....and NOT hand polished like the Lexus LS products

That's very odd...because my experience just doesn't agree with that.
My silver 100 was never garaged in the 13 years I owned it...and it was 16 years old when I sold it.
No peeling... No fading.

Camry? Paint died in less than half that many years on two separate vehicles...one of them silver.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

I find my 200 series LX paint to be of similar quality to my 100 and '95 80 series. All of them have pin-stripes.

 

[ryanCA]

That's very odd...because my experience just doesn't agree with that.
My silver 100 was never garaged in the 13 years I owned it...and it was 16 years old when I sold it.
No peeling... No fading.

Camry? Paint died in less than half that many years on two separate vehicles...one of them silver.

Maybe Toyota gave special paint on your LC

Even in the classifieds here, 3 of the 100 had faded hood and fenders, which is very common on the 80. They also paint food on the front of the roof by the sunroof part.
Consider yourself lucky

 

[Markuson]

Maybe Toyota gave special paint on your LC

Even in the classifieds here, 3 of the 100 had faded hood and fenders, which is very common on the 80. They also paint food on the front of the roof by the sunroof part.
Consider yourself lucky

80 series are at least 18 years old.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

I think part of it is color and location dependent. My 80 and 100 were both white. No fading there, but then again... who could tell? My 200 is the metallic grey, but it is garaged most of the time, so I don't expect it to fade.

 

[ryanCA]

80 series are at least 18 years old.

Since you don't believe me and you are in la want to come with us tomorrow ?

We are seeing 2 100 and 1 lx100

All 3 are faded either hood fenders or roof

I can let the facts do the talking

 

[Markuson]

Since you don't believe me and you are in la want to come with us tomorrow ?

We are seeing 2 100 and 1 lx100

All 3 are faded either hood fenders or roof

I can let the facts do the talking

?? Why would I not believe you?

Not sure why you thought that.

I just noted how different your experience is from mine...and that 80 series are pretty old in paint years. No beef with you whatsoever.

 

[Katkon]

Any thoughts on blizzard pearl? I know it's a 3 coat job, but it still has just one clear coat like all the metallics from Toyota, if my research is right. Is BP more durable or do people pay for the sparkle?

 

[ryanCA]

Any thoughts on blizzard pearl? I know it's a 3 coat job, but it still has just one clear coat like all the metallics from Toyota, if my research is right. Is BP more durable or do people pay for the sparkle?

Starfire Pearl is one the best quality they put out there, and it is INCREDIBLY long lasting.

No clue on Blizzard Pearl.

 

[WildYoats]

As an enthusiast car detailer, I have found Toyota paint is typically thinner than most. A have a few friends in the detailing business as well that can back this up. You just have to be super careful when getting aggressive in scratch removal. Not saying it is a flaw, just saying what I have noticed.

I've owned over 20 Toyota's and plenty of German vehicles (currently 911/997 Targa 4S & just sold the Cayenne GTS for the 2013 LC), and will agree with others that German paint quality as a whole is much more robust.