Seems there's zillions of complaints on the web about Toyota paint quality. I just want to share my experience. Recently, I made my first highway trip in my 2009 Matrix; 450 miles total. When I returned home, I discovered 5 small rock chips, 4 on the front bumper, and 1 on the front of the hood. I've taken my 2003 Cadillac STS on the same route at least a dozen times, and I can find only one chip on the front end. Tells me something.
Before making the trip a second time this week I put a LeBra front end cover on the Matrix. Voila, no new rock chips. If anyone is interested, the 2009 S and XRS LeBra will fit a 2009 base Matrix with the sport package.
I have a 2009 1.8L Trix, Blue. Purchased in June 2008. I have never had a car that chips paint so easily. I purchased a Toyota thinking I was getting quality -- certainly not the case as far as the paint goes.
I have the same problem when I drove on the highway that got resurfaced from Wetaskiwin to Edmonton and back. I really don't know if they are using PPG paint or some cheap paint to reduce cost. Good luck on the warranty complaint. They don't consider rock chips flying at your car a warranty issue.
I'm wondering if the proportion of rock chips being sustained by newer Toyotas are small versus large. It appears to me that very very small rocks or tiny pieces of debris will chip the paint on my Matrix, whereas they apparently bounce off of my Cadillac. So far, I haven't sustained a large chip, but then, I've only driven 450 highway miles without a front end cover. All the chips from that one trip are quite small; not much larger than a dot made with a soft lead pencil. This seems to indicate that Toyota paint quality on newer models is inferior to the paint on most other cars.
So far, I don't have a problem with chipping but I do have to say that I'm disappointed with Toyota's paint quality. I can't believe how bad the orange peel is on my Matrix.
I have a 2010 Matrix AWD XR in Sundance (orange/gold) that seems to chip very easily as well.
So far I have a large chip on an inside door sill and two chips on a plastic rocker panel cover.
The door sill chip was large and down to grey primer which was shiny and appeared to have very little tooth to promote bonding.
The chips on the plastic rocker cover were small but down to black plastic. I saw no evidence of primer and the paint seemed very thin.
I cannot recall ever contacting these areas hard enough to chip them, but with winter coming, passengers will be tempted to knock the snow and slush off their boots on the rocker panel covers. What can I expect then?
How are your rocker panel covers? Do they chip easily as well? Are certain colours more prone to chipping?
The paint quality on the sheet metal looks very good with very little orange peal. I have a hood deflector and so far, there are no chips on the hood or front bumper.
I have a 2010 Matrix AWD XR in Sundance (orange/gold) that seems to chip very easily as well.
So far I have a large chip on an inside door sill and two chips on a plastic rocker panel cover.
The door sill chip was large and down to grey primer which was shiny and appeared to have very little tooth to promote bonding.
The chips on the plastic rocker cover were small but down to black plastic. I saw no evidence of primer and the paint seemed very thin.
I cannot recall ever contacting these areas hard enough to chip them, but with winter coming, passengers will be tempted to knock the snow and slush off their boots on the rocker panel covers. What can I expect then?
How are your rocker panel covers? Do they chip easily as well? Are certain colours more prone to chipping?
The paint quality on the sheet metal looks very good with very little orange peal. I have a hood deflector and so far, there are no chips on the hood or front bumper.
Do NOT let people kick their boots on your rocker panels. I did this last year and I have a BUNCH of scratches and chips now. I also have the Sundance Metallic color.
the front ones are unavoidable imo, unless you have 3m clearbra or pleather lebra.
now, the ones on the sides are the ones u gotta watch out for. i have one on my c pillar behind the left door. about 3/16" diameter right now but looks like its eroding from the inside because the clearcoat is still there.
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2009 Matrix S - Classic Silver Metallic
I'm wondering if the proportion of rock chips being sustained by newer Toyotas are small versus large. It appears to me that very very small rocks or tiny pieces of debris will chip the paint on my Matrix, whereas they apparently bounce off of my Cadillac. So far, I haven't sustained a large chip, but then, I've only driven 450 highway miles without a front end cover. All the chips from that one trip are quite small; not much larger than a dot made with a soft lead pencil. This seems to indicate that Toyota paint quality on newer models is inferior to the paint on most other cars.
Count me in for a rock chip on my new camry with less than 2K miles! Small chip the size of a dot down to the primer!
OMG!!!!!!! Is the paint on these Toyotas ever CHEAP!!! My hood and front bumper look like they're going thru puberty....they're filled with blackheads. Its ridiculous, I went to the dealer to see how much they would charge me and it wouldn't cost me less than 600$. I was shocked...I could get the whole car repainted for 1200$....C'mon toyota, you really disapointed me.
I honestly think that the new water-based paints need time to cure and harden.
I got several chips the first few weeks, but after a few months I haven't noticed any new chips.
^^^ This is the same way with my 2002 Corolla and 2003 Matrix - after several months, the car seems to be less likely to be affected by debris chipping the paint. Toyota switched to the low VOC and water-bourne paints in 1999 and increased how much they use on the car in 2010.
When we picked up our 2009 Matrix - no chips on the front, but got a nasty one by the rear wheel well. Sort of eroding the paint under the clear - sort of looks like a bullseye crack on a painted surface. Totally weird and cannot be buffed out - that panel will have to be reshot. Compared to my 1996 Camry - I totally agree, these new finishes are terrible.
Could also be a quality control / manufacturing plant issue as some of the other Toyota models seem less likely to be affected by paint chips.
It is not Toyota's fault. It has been discussed endlessly.
Thank the environmentalists on forcing legislation for water-based paints (as opposed to the old oil-based paints, which were far stronger and durable).
Enviornmentalists have too much power in the world. 30 years ago (circa 1970), environmentalists predicted the whole world will be under water due to melting ice and glaciers due to global warming. Did it become true? They sure do have a lot of power to brainwash people in order to obtain funding for their agenda.
__________________ SSM 05 Corolla XRS 6 Spd VVTL-i 2ZZ-GE /04 Corolla S 1ZZ-FE (sold)
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