Dodgy Paint On Prius

[Jan&tone]

Just wondered whether that was causing it, maybe it isn't then. Thanks for the answer

[kithmo]

Paint crazing is caused by incompatible primer or too thick layering of topcoat. It's a Paint fault no question. Bird lime causes a dulling of the finish nothing else.

Rubbish.... all paints on all new cars is useless I have seen the crazing effect and it is bird lime, all manufacturers warn against this problem and it is at the peril of the owner if not cleaned off quickly. This is not a warranty claim unless an owner finds a very sympathetic dealer and they are few and far between

I am very sorry to say that I think Ian's task is a very tough one

Are we talking about the same fault here ?

Crazing, when the topcoat splits into a crazy paving effect with the undercoat showing through in the cracks.

Corrosives like bird lime would just eat away the surface.

Agreed, all modern water based car paints are pretty poor compared to the old solvent based ones and do need more protection. I use a wipe on wipe off polymer based paint sealant/polish applied every other wash and I wipe bird lime off as soon as I see it with a damp cloth.

[ian rooke]

Hi fired off first letter to Toyota came back empty they said as the damage was caused by external influences they were not willing to fix it,

now my mum did not raise a quitter so sent another letter saying so far they had no proof that the damage was caused by bird lime as just

looking at the damage and saying its bird lime is in no way proof that it is, from my research bird lime will cause dulling of the paint not crazing

so it seems that Toyota will not stand by their customers which is a very short sighted view this has already spoilt what is a good car with a bad

experience for me but I will see what Toyotas next reply is.

[Chris Dance]

That is not good news from Toyota. It looks like they will take a lot of persuasion to help you. Just a suggestion; contact your consumer advice or write to a motoring magazine.

Keep trying to get justice. Chris.

[ian rooke]

Hi just got a letter from Club Toyota about renewal of my subscription well thats £64 they have lost just canceled service contract as well for both my cars thats £800 gone

its starting to add up for providing no service to customers.

[ian rooke]

Hi just had a letter from Toyota offering 25% discount on the repair of my paintwork as a goodwill gesture , just take it into Lookers to claim, some hope Lookers are not getting a penny off me so writing to Toyota to say

that I accept their offer providing I can choose the dealer for the repair lets see how they react.

[Chris Dance]

Hi Ian,

At least you have got some satisfaction.

Have you waxed your car yet? I have done mine and what bird poo I have had on so far comes off easily and leaves no marks etc. Hope the respray goes OK.

[ian rooke]

Hi Chris yes I have used the wax it went on well and came off easily just waiting for a bird to poo in the car now to see what happens

[Jan&tone]

Hi just had a letter from Toyota offering 25% discount on the repair of my paintwork as a goodwill gesture , just take it into Lookers to claim, some hope Lookers are not getting a penny off me so writing to Toyota to say

that I accept their offer providing I can choose the dealer for the repair lets see how they react.

Ian

I notice you quote 'lookers' = where are you pal - I've just had some work done by DWS bodyworks in Pitsea - excellent job if a tad expensive - but hey, if the job is well done I don't mind paying for it!

[ian rooke]

Hi Jan&tone I live near Rayleigh Wier not heard of DWS but will keep them in mind when the time comes Thanks for the info

[Jan&tone]

Dws bodyworks, hoverlands avenue, burnt mills, basildon

Tel: 01268 466466

I had.a couple of scratches done this week and very happy with the result

[PBH]

Hi just a update had a reply from Lookers of Rayleigh telling me that as their service manager had told me (with no proof) the damage to the paintwork of my car

was caused by birdlime there was nothing they were willing to do about it. I have now canceled both service contracts with Lookers (why pay for a rubbish service)

Have found another local Toyota specialist who will try to burnish out the damage or respray the bonnet for £150. Will write to Toyota but do not hold much hope of a good

result there but they may surprise me.

As you are probably aware, the manufacturer and retailer/dealer operate a goodwill scheme. This goodwill scheme will reflect the goodwill ie the amount of money you have spent at with this particular retailer and/or within the Toyota franchise network.

If you remain unhappy with the outcome of the retailer paint inspection, do write to Toyota GB (follow up phone call as well) but I would not recommend you move your business until such time this matter is formally closed. You are more likely to get help via Lookers with Toyota if you remain 'loyal' .... move AFTER matter closed, whether to your satisfaction or not. There is always the SMMT who can offer you guidance to.

But alas as you have already been advise, due to the make up of the paint now used bird lime can induce damage a lot quicker than anyone would like. However, cracking/crazing to the paint work is not always as a result of bird activity!

Sorry to rant on but you may need to persue through Lookers for the time being to get a better result. They do not want to loose customers over a £200 repair, a deal can be struck with them and Toyota GB one way or another. But unless the issue is clearly and manufacturing defect and you fall within the parameters of the warranty, it is not probable another retailer will assist you too much I am afraid.

Regards and good luck

[PBH]

Hi just had a letter from Toyota offering 25% discount on the repair of my paintwork as a goodwill gesture , just take it into Lookers to claim, some hope Lookers are not getting a penny off me so writing to Toyota to say

that I accept their offer providing I can choose the dealer for the repair lets see how they react.

I am guessing they will say err no they will chose the dealer thanks very muchly! Phone them say no 25% not enough considering the amount of revenue you have given Toyota and Lookers. Push them for more, there is always more in the pot. Copy any correspondence to Chair of Lookers, whom I believe is now Phil White, (or Peter Jones Chief Exec), and make it clear the amount you spent with them vs the bonnet respray.

However, by contributing towards the repair whatever that be even 10%, you get a warranty, if it is done purely as goodwill you WILL NOT get any warranty or further goodwill on that repair (applies to any goodwill repair).

Don't settle for 25% unless you think its fair.

regards

ps I may have mobile no for Lookers Area Director ..... if I do I will send it to you. From memory guy called Steve Kirby, although he might not cover your dealer.

[ian rooke]

Hi Thanks for your input the way I see it I can always restart my service contracts with Lookers if they decide to do the decent thing and look at losing me as a customer is not a good idea.

However that said their head office has never replied to my letter, Lookers themselves have never picked up the phone to try to resolve this matter, so withdrawing my custom is the only way I can

try to make them listen. Toyota have also taken a very short sighted approach to the problem but they have more to lose if they admit that their paint is not fit for purpose, in my opinion the paint may dull

but it should not craze from bird lime this means that the top coat is permeable to outside influences which kind of defeats the object of having it. Since 1986 I have never had any problems with Toyota's paintwork

but this is the first water based paint I have had if this is what Toyota are having to use am I the first of many such claims. Sorry for the length of this rant but I feel strongly that Lookers and Toyota have dropped

the ball on this one and cannot profit from their shabby treatment of a good customer.

[PBH]

Hi Thanks for your input the way I see it I can always restart my service contracts with Lookers if they decide to do the decent thing and look at losing me as a customer is not a good idea.

However that said their head office has never replied to my letter, Lookers themselves have never picked up the phone to try to resolve this matter, so withdrawing my custom is the only way I can

try to make them listen. Toyota have also taken a very short sighted approach to the problem but they have more to lose if they admit that their paint is not fit for purpose, in my opinion the paint may dull

but it should not craze from bird lime this means that the top coat is permeable to outside influences which kind of defeats the object of having it. Since 1986 I have never had any problems with Toyota's paintwork

but this is the first water based paint I have had if this is what Toyota are having to use am I the first of many such claims. Sorry for the length of this rant but I feel strongly that Lookers and Toyota have dropped

the ball on this one and cannot profit from their shabby treatment of a good customer.

the manufacturer will NOT accept there is an issue with the paint ... this will have to be a goodwill matter. I would send them recorded mail, copy to SMMT and trading standards and even watchdog. Involve Toyota PR dept, that will always rattle the cage of the Cust Serv Mgr at the manufacturer .... if you are not happy with the outcome, which will affect how you see your relationship with LOokers, keep at it .... if custoemrs give up then issues like Renault clio bonnet etc would not have been bought to the forefront and dealt with as they should have been in the first place.

Gosh if I go on this much I dread to think how much I nag my husband ha ha ha ha ha

[dwilson]

Sorry to hear of your paint problems and poor response from your dealer. I parked my car for an hour or so near the beach and found a seagull had left a deposit that the Sun had then baked. Even though I immediately removed the stuff the paint was dulled.

Car paint is definitely not so hardy since it has become water based.

Is yours a metallic finish? I think the lacquer gives more protection than the non-metallic finishes.

[ian rooke]

Hi my paint is black non metallic, from the conversation with the service manager he said that this was a bad colour for paint damage,

funny he did not tell me this when I bought the car, still it will soon go in for its first service and the bonnet will be re-sprayed then. Toyota

are going to pay 25% of the cost as long as I go to a franchised dealer but I am going to use the dealer I nominate not one that will inflate

the price just because they work with Toyota. This whole episode has left me thinking that my next car will not be a Toyota and will certainly

not be through Lookers.

[Colin321]

From j2d

"a product called Collinite Super Double Coat Auto Wax. "

On your recommendation, I went out and bought this on Amazon: "Collinite 476 Super Double Coat Wax"

I don't normally rave about Car Accessories - normally because there's nothing to rave about.

I use AutoGlym (not the whole range) on my Prius.

The Collinite is simply outstanding. I've applied a first thin coat.

The shine is outstanding, and the water-repellant is outstanding.

When it rains, I get 'drop-marks' over the roof afterwards. Not with this stuff.

Haven't been hit by bird-droppings yet, but if what I've seen is any indication - they look like they might just be wiped off instead of chiselled off.

Thank you very much j2d - nice one.

[ian rooke]

Well said colin123 very pleased with the polish, put on the second coat it just sheds the water but so far no bird has done a poo on the car yet

[dwilson]

Hi my paint is black non metallic, from the conversation with the service manager he said that this was a bad colour for paint damage,

funny he did not tell me this when I bought the car, still it will soon go in for its first service and the bonnet will be re-sprayed then. Toyota

are going to pay 25% of the cost as long as I go to a franchised dealer but I am going to use the dealer I nominate not one that will inflate

the price just because they work with Toyota. This whole episode has left me thinking that my next car will not be a Toyota and will certainly

not be through Lookers.

Yes I had a Picnic some years ago - bought from new, I fancied silver but was told there was a long wait but they had one in white that the sales person and boss assured me was a good colour to have. Strangely enough some years later when I came to trade it in the story changed to it being worth a load less in white and what a shame it wasn't silver :censor:

Then more recently I bought a new Landcruiser but unfortunately it was black non-metallic and being a water based paint was very soft. The slightest mark showed up as a white line. A good polish helped though. I think the problem is that in order to be kind to the environment the paint is not tough like the acrylic paint was.

[dwilson]

From j2d

"a product called Collinite Super Double Coat Auto Wax. "

On your recommendation, I went out and bought this on Amazon: "Collinite 476 Super Double Coat Wax"

I don't normally rave about Car Accessories - normally because there's nothing to rave about.

I use AutoGlym (not the whole range) on my Prius.

The Collinite is simply outstanding. I've applied a first thin coat.

The shine is outstanding, and the water-repellant is outstanding.

When it rains, I get 'drop-marks' over the roof afterwards. Not with this stuff.

Haven't been hit by bird-droppings yet, but if what I've seen is any indication - they look like they might just be wiped off instead of chiselled off.

Thank you very much j2d - nice one.

Thanks for the heads up - just ordered some!