I have a '97 SC1 Saturn that has been an excellent (32 MPG) car except that I really need a larger cargo area. One of it's outstanding features is the quality of its clear coat paint job. Though I wash it most every week I have only waxed it once in 6 years and it's still as shiny as the day I got it. The same was true of the finish on my ''97 Trooper.

Now I'm set on getting a white xB Scion, I'm concerned about the quality of the stock factory paint job. I read somewhere that someone applied some kind of protectant but I can't find the thread to ask more about it. Perhaps it's not required, but still I'd like to know if there is an after-market product that would be worth the investment.

I don't know of any automotive detailers here on the Hilo side of the Big Isle of Hawaii.

Suggestions please?

Thanks,

Kerry

 

A paint job on a Scion is just the same as a Toyota. Every paint job on any kind of car, Chevy, Ford, KIA, etc. are all applied the same. They might use a different campany like Dupont or PPG, etc. but they all go on the same way. Basecoat/Clearcoat. Just take good care of your car and you'll be fine. Just get good quality waxes, etc.

 

paint is fragile no matter the brand/company you buy the car from. if you really want to protect the investment, get 3M clear bra for your front end.

or if you're a cheap bastard like me, leave lots of distance in front of you and avoid ANYTHING with more than 2 axels

 

After 18 months, my paint is nearly perfect, excluding the rock chips that are not Toyota's fault, IMO.

 

my paint is horrible , orangepeel everywhere . chips like no other , more than 100 easily. cheap paint on toyota's part. the only scion paintjob that fares well is thundercloud metallic since it's an actual 3 stage paint versus the others which aren't

 

I didn't know that, awesome!

 

i am going with the 3m clear bra to stay away from chips.

 

Get Rockblocker...He can be reached at www.rockblocker.com

 

rockblocker is great for anyone who can get it on before the chicks and nicks start building up.

any clearguard or rockblocker is good , go your mirrors , entire hood , leading edge of fenders , entire bumper and front lip , a pillars , roof leading edge. sure it'll cost like 700 - 1000 but it'll save you from SOO many chips. if I had fresh paint I'd do it.

 

Thanks for the tip about RockBlocker. Their site doesn't describe it very well, still, if it's a 3M product it must be somewhat good. I wrote them..."Yes, I'd like a sample.

Your web site doesn't say whether it's a wax or what? Does it have to be applied by a trained person? Does one need an electric buffer? How much elbow grease—like Carnuba or more like Turtle Wax? Any reviews? Any guarantee?

Thanks,

Kerry"

I'll post their reply.

Thanks,

Kerry

 

I was at a hyundai dealership bout a week ago checking out the new sonata. anyway i saw a camry and a corolla there. Both had plenty of chips which are now small rust spots. My friend was telling me the paintjob on his parents 04 WRX sucks too. My conclusion is that nowdays most of the cars will have a so-so paintjob.

 

Also consider StonGard or AutoGardUSA.

Coverage of the front of my xB with 8 mil 3M protective film (front half of hood, mirrors, grill, fenders, bumper, air dam skirt, foglight covers) cost me $256 plus tax, installed (with ScionLife discount) at AutoGard.

I'd put up a picture of it but you can't see it (unless you get really close and look for it). In all the pics of my xB in my profile it's there...

They also have an 80 mil thick 3M covering for the headlights to protect them...

Oh, I almost forgot, Kerry, the paint protective film is a urethane film 8 mils thick that is applied like a large decal... It is pre-cut to shape, is clear, and has a 'clear-coat' that is a match for the finish of the vehicle. The headlight protection is an 80 mil thick soft, clear vinyl film.

When they did the front of my xB it took the tech about 5 hours to smooth on the paint protective film, and after watching him do it I wouldn't want to tackle it myself - I don't have near the patience required...

 

Where are they located? Nationwide? Do body shops install it or something? Their site didnt say where they are :-(

 

robsbigfish, AutoGard is located in Bellevue, WA. I believe they can provide names/locations of installers nationwide, but you'd have to ask them about that - I only live about 40 miles from them so didn't have to worry about it.

I'm sure they would also just sell you the product if you want to give it a shot yourself... (*I* wouldn't!)

They answer e-mail quickly, and everyone there seemed to know their product well.

(IIRC they were shipping product to dealers and bodyshops while I was there watching them put it on my xB.)

 

I got a ticket in a rental car in Bellevue in March... lol. I will email them, see if they have someone a little closer to Reno. I dont think it is something that I could do either, 5 hours for a tech that knows what hes doing would equal a whole lot of hours for me. Thanks for the info!

 

robsbigfish, Rockblocker is in Az now however he does frequently go to Nevada. Hit him up on his website or come over the the forums, drop down to regions and click on desert and salt. He posts as Rockblocker. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks all. I was unaware that it was stickum sheets. I don't think I'd risk the seams showing or lifting. I'm pretty fussy and showing seams would drive me buggy. Perhaps after such products have been out for ten years and there are no reports of the sheets lifting or curling. It also seems as though a lot depends upon how the installer feels that day. A bad hair day would be like trying to get a carpenter to redo molding miters. "What are you talking about? That's acceptable." produces a sickening feeling in my stomach."

Thanks,

Kerry

 

I have thunder cloud, paint seems soft. 2 months on the road and already chips. don't tailgate and am VERY careful. o orange peel and color is great, just seems weak, no where as durable as my ford or jeep.

 

TMC seems to be the best???

Can someone PLEASE tell mine that?? My front end looks like I was driving thru and cement company daily for years!!!! The chips are BAD too! Totally sucks and looks reallllly ugly!

 

Kerry, the edges do show if someone is close to the vehicle, but no where near as much or as badly as the paint chips your xB will pick up just from cautious daily use. Your choice, though.

As to the product being around for a few years so you can see how it performs, the places I mentioned have actually been in business for 14 years now doing this...and 3M, the developer of the film, specifically for this purpose, for much longer than that.

The product usually carries a 5 year warranty - and is removable/replaceable, assuming the underlying paint is in good shape.

It would be nice if there were just some sort of spray-on coating that would protect from chips, but there just isn't.

Other than that, the paint on the Scions is the same as the paint on most any other Toyota these days. Paints have changed over the years and in some ways current automotive paints are possibly a bit more delicate than some of the historical paints used.

Anyway, you asked, we answered, the choice is yours. Enjoy your new Scion!! :D