Bumper Color: Is this Normal? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

naturoses · 08-23-2010, 04:18 PM

This summer, under certain light conditions, I have noticed that rear bumper is little bit off-scale (out of 10 scale it is probably 1-2) in color to metal color above it. Is it normal? I have noticed mainly this summer.

Today, I called the dealership and told them this and they said that since this is a plastic part they informed me that this bit off-scale effect of the color is normal and not to worry. He was telling that paint adheres differently to plastic and metal which I agree. But, I did not give up asking why I would expect to see on a brand new car less than 6 months old.
My HL Color is Metallic Grey
Thanks to all who reply in advance

Yazon · 08-23-2010, 07:25 PM

Short answer - yes it's true.

Paint does adhere/lay differently on different surfaces and sometimes one can see this difference. Inf act, many toyotas for years had this. This is not noticeable on all colors, but only on some. For example my cypress green looks 100% same. Yet I've had a beige Camry where you could see it clearly.

Premium brands (such as BMW/Benz, etc) have been very particular about having matching colors and often use more expensive paints to achieve that.

If you went to repaint the bumper - you would need to get the color code from the dealer. But even then, it is likely to have the same issue. Sometimes the difference gets more pronounced with age, as UV affects the clear-coat and the paint.

kkovak · 08-24-2010, 09:22 AM

I don't know. If the parts were all properly primed then the finish color paint is being laid down on top of primer, not plastic or metal, and should look the same. Is it possible that Toyota is not prming the plastic bumper, thus the color difference?

This is worrying as I have a Magnetic Grey 2010 HL on the way. I'll be checking the color match very closely.

naturoses · 08-24-2010, 09:57 AM

I have paint protection film (ppf) on the front and back bumpers and ppf covers almost all the bumper except certain areas which are not directly exposed to rock chips. Originally, I thought that it is the (ppf) which causing this difference but it is not. When I compare both (covered and uncovered by ppf) places the color looks the same and hence came to the conclusion that it is not ppf but the color itself is a little bit lighter than the metal colored area which just above the plastic bumper.

JMSinMD · 08-24-2010, 10:11 AM

It is not as much the adherence of paint to plastic vs. metal as the addition of flex additives used in the paint on the bumper. This is VERY typical of Toyota vehicles.

naturoses · 08-24-2010, 10:13 AM

That is what I am learning now. I have read people complaining on different website on Toyota's paint.

What shall I do now? I have appointment with the stealership on Saturday and how to make my case. This is brand new vehicle....

JMSinMD · 08-24-2010, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naturoses

That is what I am learning now. I have read people complaining on different website on Toyota's paint.

What shall I do now? I have appointment with the stealership on Saturday and how to make my case. This is brand new vehicle....

There is nothing they really can do. If they repaint it without the appropriate flex agent it will eventually start chipping.

naturoses · 08-24-2010, 10:28 AM

Chipping, peeling, etc., are more scary...

kkovak · 08-24-2010, 12:24 PM

Also I checked with my son who works at a body shop and does some painting. He says that some manufacturers are using a clear, instead of colored, sealant (primer) on the plastic parts as compared to the more traditional primer on the regaular parts. The color coat will look different on the clear sealer than on the opaque priner. He didn't know if this applied to Toyota.