Blue paint / Clear coat problems

[ongreystreet]

Bought a 2007 Matrix for my wife in january and the paint is already having issues. Driven about 30 miles a day during the week. Every little thing seems to scratch the clear coat, paint already scratched in a few places, and rusting. I'm taking it to the Toyota dealership and then to a paint shop that buddy owns for his opinion. Any one else having paint problems with new cars?

[geoff5093]

I've heard pretty much everyone who has an '07 Camry also complain about paint chipping and scratching really easily.

[w203]

Shouldn't this be in the Matrix forum? I'm sure they'll want to hear this, some might have similar situation as yours although paint is not model specific. Got pics? I understand about the paint chip/scratch but the rust sounds....bleh.

[shotofwine]

Nope, some small chips and very few at that on the front where rocks hit but that is to be expected. Actually has fewer than I thought it would have.

[marc780]

I bet it is US made. At work we have a dozen 2000 Camrys and their paint is excellent, very few chips or even scratches. My own 2002 V6 seems to get a scratch if someone walks by it. The paint is not as good as the older camrys. Probably the same thing applies to your matrix. EPA, AQMD, OSHA and every gov't muckity muck in existance is changing all the chemicals, paints, solvents and probably the toilet water to make it more environment friendly. At work we have to keep spray cans in a steel locker when not in use (emissions, you know). To me all i see is the perfect example of sh%t rolling downhill.
Anyway your choices are to trade in for a made-in-japan model, install a clear 3m bra for the front and ignore the other scratches, or have the whole thing repainted properly for a couple thousand.

[lammydi]

Originally Posted by geoff5093

I've heard pretty much everyone who has an '07 Camry also complain about paint chipping and scratching really easily.

Nope, not quite everyone....(I know you said pretty much everyone)
I don't have any problem with my silver 07 Camry.

[Barracuda]

Mine is Japanese maid, 4000 miles in 6 month, next to no highways and I found 1 chip and rusting spots under the clear coat yesterday!!!
That proves you that cars build in Japan are not immune.
The question is what to do and how to prove to the dealer that it is their fault /should be covered under the warrantee???

[lammydi]

Originally Posted by Barracuda

Mine is Japanese maid, 4000 miles in 6 month, next to no highways and I found 1 chip and rusting spots under the clear coat yesterday!!!
That proves you that cars build in Japan are not immune.
The question is what to do and how to prove to the dealer that it is their fault /should be covered under the warrantee???

How are you going to prove that the chip and rusting spots were not cause by rock/gravel from the daily driving? I find it will be very difficult. It's almost the same thing if I come into the dealership and complaint that I have a nail in my tire. They will say they are not responsible for nails, screws, rocks, gravel or anything that hit your car while on the road.
Unless you can prove that it was not hit by a rock and it just chip due to poor paint job. I think you'll have a very tough time proving it though.

[lollonais]

Call the Toyota National 800 number and complaint. They'll get your information and will work with you. They might not do anything, but just the fact that people call in with their complaint might spark something. I called for A/C smell and the paint. They cleaned my A/C as a "courtesy". No smell so far.

[Barracuda]

Lammidil, I see your point and I understand that it would be difficult to prove anything. But it does not even look like a chip, it looks like the rust is underneath of the clear coat. Also it is on the top of the trunk not even on the bumper. What kind of driving I need to do in order to get chips there????

I know guys that I am not the first nor last with this problem but it is 25K we are talking about. If I would go to a jeweler and guy 5K diamond, I will be guaranteed service for free for the life of me and if something happened with the rock (chip, changes color,….) that would be a major thing. Or even at the store, if I would buy sandals and they would fall apart in 6 month and they are $100-200 sandals - come one, I will get the fix at the store expense or money back without any aggravation. Here we talking about 6 month old car with the rust and I should just eat it.

I am still going to make an appointment with my Toyota, see what they say. Then probably will go to the Toyota representative at the dealership and after that 1-800 #. I am not going to eat myself alive and to go thought the arbitrations and lawyers nonsense.

[lammydi]

Originally Posted by Barracuda

Lammidil, I see your point and I understand that it would be difficult to prove anything. But it does not even look like a chip, it looks like the rust is underneath of the clear coat. Also it is on the top of the trunk not even on the bumper. What kind of driving I need to do in order to get chips there????

I know guys that I am not the first nor last with this problem but it is 25K we are talking about. If I would go to a jeweler and guy 5K diamond, I will be guaranteed service for free for the life of me and if something happened with the rock (chip, changes color,….) that would be a major thing. Or even at the store, if I would buy sandals and they would fall apart in 6 month and they are $100-200 sandals - come one, I will get the fix at the store expense or money back without any aggravation. Here we talking about 6 month old car with the rust and I should just eat it.

I am still going to make an appointment with my Toyota, see what they say. Then probably will go to the Toyota representative at the dealership and after that 1-800 #. I am not going to eat myself alive and to go thought the arbitrations and lawyers nonsense.

Well, I was referring to the paint chip in the front bumper and hood. If it's in the back, which you started a thread with rusted, I suggested you take a close look to make sure it's not "Industrial Fallout", "Tar" and stuff like that. I agree with you that we shouldn't have to "eat" the rust. But make sure it's 100% rust before you go to battle.

[lammydi]

Originally Posted by ongreystreet

Bought a 2007 Matrix for my wife in january and the paint is already having issues. Driven about 30 miles a day during the week. Every little thing seems to scratch the clear coat, paint already scratched in a few places, and rusting. I'm taking it to the Toyota dealership and then to a paint shop that buddy owns for his opinion. Any one else having paint problems with new cars?

Ongreystreet,
Well, did you take your car to Toyota dealership AND your buddy shop for his opinion?
Please report back because a lot of us just guessing here and we may not even talking about the same thing here. Also please post pictures so we can see exactly what we are talking about here.

[Barracuda]

Lammydi, thank you for your advise, I have made an appointment with Toyota service department for this Saturday ( August 11). I will post the outcome.