My paint… what is this?!

[DJJimGreen]

After getting my car washed today I was wiping it down and noticed, the bottom 12 inches or so on both sides of my 4runner have a very poor paint job. I thought initially perhaps it was a garbage PPF situation, but it seems like to follows along the door crack along the bottom. When the doors closed it’s the whole bottom white frame area and about 6 inches up the door. Is this something Toyota would warranty to fix after owning it for 8000 miles? this is horrendous. Zoom in for even more detail.

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[Dr_Al]

I believe it's an undercoating under the paint. I could be wrong. Is it on both sides?

 

[Dead Horse]

It's thick paint/underlayment/armor to keep it from chipping apart in six months. They're all like that. My 2013 Tundra was like that.

 

[DJJimGreen]

Indeed, both sides. It looks intentional, so I wouldn’t be surprised but… really? It looks so bad.

 

[Nodak]

toyota has been doing lower rocker panels with a rough texture since the late 1980's/ early 1990's (depending on model).

its to protect the paint from road debris that would otherwise damage or chip the paint. its also know as rock guard or gravel guard

you can also see on the leading edge of some rear door panels they add a clear overlay to help reinforce key areas on top of the rought textured areas

 

[Skrr1225]

Indeed, both sides. It looks intentional, so I wouldn’t be surprised but… really? It looks so bad.

It really looks bad, but its an undercoating.

 

[127.0.0.1]

almost all cars have rocker schutz...if they didn't there would be far more rusty rockers

 

[Nodak]

almost all cars have rocker schutz...if they didn't there would be far more rusty rockers

you are showing your age, thats a very old term for that protection

 

[horbit]

This is normal and you want it to prevent rocker panel rot years down the road. Manufacturers who care for the longevity of their vehicles do things like this.

 

[6thGen1419]

If you’re noticing that the paint along the lower portion of vehicle doors has a slightly textured or “wrinkled” appearance, there’s usually a deliberate reason for it.

I think the rough/“wrinkled”/orange-peel-looking area on the bottom several inches of the doors and lower body panels is intentional.

It is often not actually wrinkled paint. Automakers commonly put a textured protective coating on the lower door areas to protect them from:

• Road debris and gravel striking the door
• Sand and dirt blasting the paint at highway speeds
• Chips and scratches from rocks kicked up by the tires
• Water, mud and road salt accumulating along the rocker/door area

 

[Everybodyduck]

Surprised this wasn't noticed before 8K. It is the way they are produced for extra protection. It is not an accidental orange-peel situation.

 

[MikeK]

First time owning a truck?

 

[talmadge]

If you put 8000 miles on it before you even noticed, does it actually look that terrible?

 

[127.0.0.1]

First time owning a truck?

this.

sounds like someone's first vehicle...or first close look at one... tbh

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