Disappointed with the Paint on My Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro

[tpmacleod]

Sure. I wrote the core and had AI fix it up for me. But if you look at the rest of the threads you can see that these are real conversations.

Do you have any input on the paint on the 6th Gen?

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[NWRes]

I didn’t expect to be writing this.

About two months ago, I picked up my brand new Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro. It was one of those purchases you look forward to for a long time. Black paint, brand new, and something I planned to take care of properly from day one.

Fast forward to today. The truck has just over 1,000 km on it. It hasn’t been off-road. It hasn’t been near bushes or tight trails. It’s been parked in a garage every night.

And yet, the paint tells a completely different story.

What I’m Seeing

After a single careful hand wash using a new brush and clean cloths, I started noticing swirl marks and light scratches across the surface.

Not just a few. A lot.

More than I ever saw on my 2014 Toyota 4Runner Limited after 10 years.

That’s the part I can’t wrap my head around.

What Makes This So Confusing

I did what most people would consider “everything right”:

• No automatic car washes
• No off-roading
• No contact with branches or debris
• Garage kept
• Careful, hand wash only
• Dealer-applied clear coat protection before delivery

And still… the finish looks like it’s already been through years of wear.

Possible Explanations (Trying to Make Sense of It)

At this point, I’m trying to stay objective. A few possibilities come to mind:

1. Soft clear coat on newer vehicles

Modern paints, especially on darker colours, can be surprisingly soft and prone to marring.

2. Dealer prep damage

It’s possible the swirls were already there from the dealership prep process (machine washing, drying, etc.), and I’m only noticing them now under the right light.

3. “Clear coat protection” issues

If a coating was applied, it may not have been done properly, or worse, it may have locked in existing imperfections.

4. Washing tools

Even a “new” brush can cause micro scratches, especially on black paint. That one is tough to accept, but it’s possible.

Where I’m At Right Now

I’ve reached out to the dealership and I’m waiting to hear back.

The dealership has been great to deal with overall. No complaints there. I’m hopeful they’ll stand behind the product and help figure this out.

But I won’t lie it’s taken a bit of the shine off the experience.

When you spend this kind of money on a new vehicle, especially something like a TRD Pro, you expect it to feel new for more than a few weeks.

Right now, it doesn’t.

What I’m Hoping For

I think a fair outcome would be:

• A proper professional paint correction (not a quick polish)
• Re-application of a quality ceramic coating if needed
• Honest transparency about what may have caused this

I’m not looking for perfection — just something that reflects what a new vehicle should look like.

Curious — Has Anyone Else Experienced This:

• Are you seeing similar swirl issues early on?
• Did your dealer address it?
• Any tips on preventing this moving forward?

Final Thoughts

I still love the truck. It drives great, looks incredible at a distance, and it’s everything I expected mechanically.

But the paint?

That’s been a surprise, and not a good.

I didn’t expect to be writing this.

About two months ago, I picked up my brand new Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro. It was one of those purchases you look forward to for a long time. Black paint, brand new, and something I planned to take care of properly from day one.

Fast forward to today. The truck has just over 1,000 km on it. It hasn’t been off-road. It hasn’t been near bushes or tight trails. It’s been parked in a garage every night.

And yet, the paint tells a completely different story.

What I’m Seeing

After a single careful hand wash using a new brush and clean cloths, I started noticing swirl marks and light scratches across the surface.

Not just a few. A lot.

More than I ever saw on my 2014 Toyota 4Runner Limited after 10 years.

That’s the part I can’t wrap my head around.

What Makes This So Confusing

I did what most people would consider “everything right”:

• No automatic car washes
• No off-roading
• No contact with branches or debris
• Garage kept
• Careful, hand wash only
• Dealer-applied clear coat protection before delivery

And still… the finish looks like it’s already been through years of wear.

Possible Explanations (Trying to Make Sense of It)

At this point, I’m trying to stay objective. A few possibilities come to mind:

1. Soft clear coat on newer vehicles

Modern paints, especially on darker colours, can be surprisingly soft and prone to marring.

2. Dealer prep damage

It’s possible the swirls were already there from the dealership prep process (machine washing, drying, etc.), and I’m only noticing them now under the right light.

3. “Clear coat protection” issues

If a coating was applied, it may not have been done properly, or worse, it may have locked in existing imperfections.

4. Washing tools

Even a “new” brush can cause micro scratches, especially on black paint. That one is tough to accept, but it’s possible.

Where I’m At Right Now

I’ve reached out to the dealership and I’m waiting to hear back.

The dealership has been great to deal with overall. No complaints there. I’m hopeful they’ll stand behind the product and help figure this out.

But I won’t lie it’s taken a bit of the shine off the experience.

When you spend this kind of money on a new vehicle, especially something like a TRD Pro, you expect it to feel new for more than a few weeks.

Right now, it doesn’t.

What I’m Hoping For

I think a fair outcome would be:

• A proper professional paint correction (not a quick polish)
• Re-application of a quality ceramic coating if needed
• Honest transparency about what may have caused this

I’m not looking for perfection — just something that reflects what a new vehicle should look like.

Curious — Has Anyone Else Experienced This:

• Are you seeing similar swirl issues early on?
• Did your dealer address it?
• Any tips on preventing this moving forward?

Final Thoughts

I still love the truck. It drives great, looks incredible at a distance, and it’s everything I expected mechanically.

But the paint?

That’s been a surprise, and not a good.
[/QUOTE

I am surprised at the number of complaints I hear about paint and other issues. We have never had a problem with any Toyota we have owned. We picked up our ORP one year ago last month. It now has over 14,000 miles on it through several different states.

Its Cutting Edge paint had been through numerous hand washes and a Costco automated car wash several times. I has the dealer applied ceramic coating (Zurich I believe they call it) and both the upper and lower protective overlays. The paint is still perfect. No swirls or anything. I have hit it with a ceramic detail spray once or twice. Vehicle has one blemish, a scratch mark on one of the black plastic fender flares. Hardly noticeable and I have not done anything about it although I believe the dealer must if I take it down to them according to the Zurich warranty.

I have a Mustang I will never run through a car wash but I would not hesitate to run the ORP through one although I will be very selective which one I do run it through. Not all receive good maintenance and they show it.

 

[ShotsFired]

All I do now is look at other cars, paint finishes, and they look perfect compared to mine. I’ll have to find some other new 4Runners and take a closer look.

Maybe compare it to other 4Runners ON YOUR DEALERS LOT ?

 

[jcash25]

I washed the truck once. It honestly wasn’t even that dirty.

I used a brand new Simoniz brush and a clean microfibre mitt. I also used a Costco nozzle with a built in soap dispenser. My process was simple and careful. Rinse the vehicle, apply soap, gently brush, rinse, and then rinse the brush before moving on.

It was, without question, the most care I’ve ever taken washing a vehicle.

What makes this more frustrating is that I upgraded my tools specifically for this truck. My previous brush was over 12 years old and I never had any issues like this.

Why would you use any type of "brush" on a new vehicle much less on black paint.
Is this type of brush you used?

 

[tpmacleod]

Hi, Yes, that is correct. I guess because I used a similar brush on my last 4Runner for 10 years without an issue. However, there are scratches but I am not sure where the swirls would have come from. Needless to say, a new car should not mark that easily. Lesson learned but not the quality I expected from Toyota. How would these trucks fair in the bush which they are built for?

 

[tpmacleod]

I have never had any issues with the 5 other 4Runners that I have owned. Why would I treat this one any different? I guess I have to now.

 

[jcash25]

I have never had any issues with the 5 other 4Runners that I have owned. Why would I treat this one any different? I guess I have to now.

No i get it and understand I just never trust a brush(no matter how soft) and black paint. I had window water stains on every window hard water calcified stains. I about lost my mind when i washed it for the first time and it looked like i didn't even touch the windows.
So i can just imagine how you felt when you saw the swirls in the paint. I hope you can figure out what caused it.

 

[tpmacleod]

No i get it and understand I just never trust a brush(no matter how soft) and black paint. I had window water stains on every window hard water calcified stains. I about lost my mind when i washed it for the first time and it looked like i didn't even touch the windows.
So i can just imagine how you felt when you saw the swirls in the paint. I hope you can figure out what caused it.

My dealership has been extremely responsive and I am bringing in the vehicle tomorrow to hopefully get fixed up. I will let you know how it goes.

 

[bakutheleo]

I had a friend with an old 4Runner that said he would never get another Toyota because of the paint. The clear coat on his was basically all pealing off and looked terrible. I do not know how he treated it though, or how it was when he got it (I do not know if he got it new or not).

That said, my Heritage Blue 2025 looks decent still after a year and 13K+ miles. Washed only once (it is awaiting its second one when I finally get to it!) by hand, no brush, just microfiber cloths. I applied a basic pseudo-ceramic coating (Turtle Wax 53409 Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray Coating, tested well by ProjectFarm on YouTube) after washing and drying. That coating lasted (that is, shed water well) for at least several months but is long overdue for a reapplication. I have some light scratches, probably just in the clear coat, from desert branches scraping on it. Vehicle has never been in a grarage; usually parked in the sun. It does seem to chip fairly easily--I have 1 or 2 tiny chips when the door edge lightly hit something when opened (my fault of course) although that would be the most easily damaged spot.

So, overall, I am OK with the paint although I would not say impressed. I do like that they put an extra thick coating (probably more than just paint underneath) below the doors.

 

[Pelo18]

I didn’t expect to be writing this.

About two months ago, I picked up my brand new Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro. It was one of those purchases you look forward to for a long time. Black paint, brand new, and something I planned to take care of properly from day one.

Fast forward to today. The truck has just over 1,000 km on it. It hasn’t been off-road. It hasn’t been near bushes or tight trails. It’s been parked in a garage every night.

And yet, the paint tells a completely different story.

What I’m Seeing

After a single careful hand wash using a new brush and clean cloths, I started noticing swirl marks and light scratches across the surface.

Not just a few. A lot.

More than I ever saw on my 2014 Toyota 4Runner Limited after 10 years.

That’s the part I can’t wrap my head around.

What Makes This So Confusing

I did what most people would consider “everything right”:

• No automatic car washes
• No off-roading
• No contact with branches or debris
• Garage kept
• Careful, hand wash only
• Dealer-applied clear coat protection before delivery

And still… the finish looks like it’s already been through years of wear.

Possible Explanations (Trying to Make Sense of It)

At this point, I’m trying to stay objective. A few possibilities come to mind:

1. Soft clear coat on newer vehicles

Modern paints, especially on darker colours, can be surprisingly soft and prone to marring.

2. Dealer prep damage

It’s possible the swirls were already there from the dealership prep process (machine washing, drying, etc.), and I’m only noticing them now under the right light.

3. “Clear coat protection” issues

If a coating was applied, it may not have been done properly, or worse, it may have locked in existing imperfections.

4. Washing tools

Even a “new” brush can cause micro scratches, especially on black paint. That one is tough to accept, but it’s possible.

Where I’m At Right Now

I’ve reached out to the dealership and I’m waiting to hear back.

The dealership has been great to deal with overall. No complaints there. I’m hopeful they’ll stand behind the product and help figure this out.

But I won’t lie it’s taken a bit of the shine off the experience.

When you spend this kind of money on a new vehicle, especially something like a TRD Pro, you expect it to feel new for more than a few weeks.

Right now, it doesn’t.

What I’m Hoping For

I think a fair outcome would be:

• A proper professional paint correction (not a quick polish)
• Re-application of a quality ceramic coating if needed
• Honest transparency about what may have caused this

I’m not looking for perfection — just something that reflects what a new vehicle should look like.

Curious — Has Anyone Else Experienced This:

• Are you seeing similar swirl issues early on?
• Did your dealer address it?
• Any tips on preventing this moving forward?

Final Thoughts

I still love the truck. It drives great, looks incredible at a distance, and it’s everything I expected mechanically.

But the paint?

That’s been a surprise, and not a good.

Tim,
Drove from interior dealership to lower mainland. TRD Pro went into shop for full body PPF and ceramic coating in Vancouver. Vehicle will be a year old in May. No scratches, swirls or markings. Park out on the street, no garage. Picture was taken yesterday, after winter tire swap.

 

[tpmacleod]

Nice!

I am brining my in tomorrow to get detailed. I really don't want to be worrying about paint for the life of this car. I really kills the enjoyment.

Where did you go to get the work done? Cost? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[58Rider]

2025 black 4 runner limited hybrid.
I just committed $2,600 to have the front end up to the doors covered with Expel vinyl wrap and I won’t have to worry about the most vulnerable part of vehicle for a very long long time. I had this done to my 2017 dodge durango R/T with 100% success. It was a metallic granite and after 9 years was still perfect.
I only use the highest quality wash mitts with one dedicated to the lower 18 inches or so , highest quality 70/30 drying towels; a first rinse to try to loosen loose dirt, then soak with a hose cannon , then a wash rinsing out the wash mitt every panel. I’m like a surgeon working on a patient.
I started doing this method on my black touring Harley that got paint swirls if I walked too close to it.
My apologies for this lengthy post.

 

[NWRes]

Nice!

I am brining my in tomorrow to get detailed. I really don't want to be worrying about paint for the life of this car. I really kills the enjoyment.

Where did you go to get the work done? Cost? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

There is also a shop south of you in Anacortes WA that is supposed to be pretty good if you want to make the drive and possibly save money. I have been meaning to check them out.

 

[rosnaby]

All I do now is look at other cars, paint finishes, and they look perfect compared to mine. I’ll have to find some other new 4Runners and take a closer look.

To trdprogirl’s point, my underground looks like crap basically all the time compared to the day i got it, and i only hand wash… will say the inside of my premium i have beaten the crap out of, and it cleans super well!

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