White IQ: repaint or wrap?

[hegdesh]

Hi all,

Many thanks in advance for anyone reading this and taking the time to reply.

My wife has a pearlescent white IQ (2010), which has started to get serious paint peel on the bonnet/hood.  She also has a lot of scuffs on the sides of the bumpers thanks to daily driving & parking in central London with idiot moped drivers(!).

I was wondering whether it would be better to get a multi-panel respray, or just get the whole car wrapped (perhaps in a more individual colour) - has anyone had the same question?  I’d appreciate any views and hopefully experiences either way…

Many thanks,

Shyam

[Cyker]

It's a known issue with the IQ, specifically with the pearlescent paint, where it hasn't bonded properly to the car.

A lot of owners had this problem when the car was new and Toyota were fixing it, but alas that campaign is well over now.

A wrap would probably be easier, but you would have to declare it on insurance, which will push the premium up - Someone got in trouble with insurance not long ago because their car had a clear PPF on it.

With paint you need to find a reputable place too as there are a lot of cowboys out there.

I'd probably lean more toward the paint just to avoid the insurance complications.

[hegdesh]

Many thanks for such a quick reply Cyker.  To go down the repaint/re spray route (which I have never done), and avoid the many cowboys that you’ve pointed out, are there any good resources out there to find a good body shop that’s relatively local?  Or anyone you know that may be able to point me in the right direction?

[Bper]

Hi Shyam, My understanding is you need to repair any paint peel or bad area's before you can wrap a car. Any paint defects will show through. Have you considered getting a quote for the paint defects to be resprayed and also a quote for a wrap and compare the costs.

Wrapping if not done properly will look terrible and can pull paint off when removed. Depending on the level of paint damage some mobile respray guys can do a really good job a lot cheaper then a garage. It's worth a call to get an idea you can then ask them any issues you may have with wrapping. Hope this helps.

[hegdesh]

Thanks Bob.  I didn’t realise you needed to have repaired paint before wrapping - so that is super useful information and immediately answers my question about which route I need to go down - thank you.

In terms of mobile respray, I had approached one a little while ago who I saw working on a car close to me, however they were definitely quoting ‘central London prices’ if you know what I mean.  I was thinking it would be more cost efficient to take the car to a body shop just outside London, however I don’t know where to start in finding somewhere good rather than cowboys who will just make things worse…

 

[Cyker]

If it was being wrapped they would indeed have to remove all the flaking paint, although I don't know if a whole full paint job would be needed or could get away with just a base/primer coat - They just need something for the wrap to stick to, and flaking paint wouldn't hold it.

As for avoiding cowboys, all you can do is find companies then google them for reviews, esp. on forums. Couldn't name any specifically; The only time I had anything resprayed was my old Fiesta's door 2 decades ago, and I'm not even sure of that place is still there! They did a decent job but were quite expensive and I didn't know any better, being a new driver at the time!

 

[Bper]

14 hours ago, Cyker said:

If it was being wrapped they would indeed have to remove all the flaking paint, although I don't know if a whole full paint job would be needed or could get away with just a base/primer coat - They just need something for the wrap to stick to, and flaking paint wouldn't hold it.

As for avoiding cowboys, all you can do is find companies then google them for reviews, esp. on forums. Couldn't name any specifically; The only time I had anything resprayed was my old Fiesta's door 2 decades ago, and I'm not even sure of that place is still there! They did a decent job but were quite expensive and I didn't know any better, being a new driver at the time!

 

 

14 hours ago, hegdesh said:

Thanks Bob.  I didn’t realise you needed to have repaired paint before wrapping - so that is super useful information and immediately answers my question about which route I need to go down - thank you.

In terms of mobile respray, I had approached one a little while ago who I saw working on a car close to me, however they were definitely quoting ‘central London prices’ if you know what I mean.  I was thinking it would be more cost efficient to take the car to a body shop just outside London, however I don’t know where to start in finding somewhere good rather than cowboys who will just make things worse…

 

Hi Shyam, I understand your concerns that you may pay London prices but to be fair most paint jobs are not cheap these days. If I can make a suggestion, look online for at least 3 respray/bodyshop repairs within the areas that you feel you are comfortably to travel to. Look for reviews on them online. If you haven't done this before then look on trustpilot and there are many other review sites.

After you have done this you will have a better idea of price. Next I would do the same thing with 3 mobile paint repair people and again look for reviews online. After you have done this you will have 6 quotes and you will have a clearer picture of both price you are willing to pay and what company you trust to do the job based on the online reviews.

As I said earlier car paint repairs are not cheap anymore. Hope this helps if you need anymore help let us know and also keep us posted what you have decided to do.👍

 

[eein]

A couple of years ago I did something similar on my BMW 760 which had "Individual" triple coat pearlescent paint. Needed whole front bumper (which is big on a car like that) and a rear quarter including blending in to avoid doing the whole rear bumper. I used 'Chips Away' which is a national franchise thing. I was very impressed with the results - all done in 24 hours and couldn't see anything , even the blending in line when pointed at. It cost £400, and was told it'd be less on 'normal' painted cars.

Inflation will push that up now, but I'd expect you'd not need to go over £500. The iQ is not a huge surface area, and the bonnet is an easy full panel to paint.

On my (black) iQ I've also had to do some work, but the pain has not got too bad, so I had a full body machine polish a few years ago which got rid of almost all light scratching (washing, cats, etc) and then I've filled all stone chips on the bonnet using the Chipex system - it does not leave a perfect finish like other methods I've done before, but is very quick and simple to use and from a couple of meters away is unnoticeable (and crucially seals any rusted spots).

[Bper]

56 minutes ago, eein said:

A couple of years ago I did something similar on my BMW 760 which had "Individual" triple coat pearlescent paint. Needed whole front bumper (which is big on a car like that) and a rear quarter including blending in to avoid doing the whole rear bumper. I used 'Chips Away' which is a national franchise thing. I was very impressed with the results - all done in 24 hours and couldn't see anything , even the blending in line when pointed at. It cost £400, and was told it'd be less on 'normal' painted cars.

Inflation will push that up now, but I'd expect you'd not need to go over £500. The iQ is not a huge surface area, and the bonnet is an easy full panel to paint.

On my (black) iQ I've also had to do some work, but the pain has not got too bad, so I had a full body machine polish a few years ago which got rid of almost all light scratching (washing, cats, etc) and then I've filled all stone chips on the bonnet using the Chipex system - it does not leave a perfect finish like other methods I've done before, but is very quick and simple to use and from a couple of meters away is unnoticeable (and crucially seals any rusted spots).

Hi iain, I actually had a good conversation with one of chips away guys when I asked about the stone chips on our car and if they would come and repair them.

He asked for photos and after seeing them told me they are to small to warrent them coming out. He did however give me some great advice he told me if no rust or the chip had not gone through to the bear metal, then just clean the area and just use the top coat as when applying the primer it can leave high spots that will show through and will be difficult to rub down.

I did what he advised and he was absolutely right you can't see the chips at all unless you get so close that your nose is almost touching the bodywork.

Well I suppose it depends on how big your nose is but you know what I mean.😅

Was really pleased with this advice.

 

 

me

[Comfy]

Got a white 2009 one as well....ive got a few tiny chips but nothing too much to worry about....i know the paint issues with the older ones....when the time comes ill probably get mine resprayed completely...ive always washed the IQ regularly since weve had it (just over 10 years) my mother in law bought a black one on eBay which was immaculate...the bloke that delivered it bought and sold a lot of IQ's and was surprised how much paint "hadnt" come off ours..!

[Bper]

2 minutes ago, Comfy said:

Got a white 2009 one as well....ive got a few tiny chips but nothing too much to worry about....i know the paint issues with the older ones....when the time comes ill probably get mine resprayed completely...ive always washed the IQ regularly since weve had it (just over 10 years) my mother in law bought a black one on ebay which was immaculate...the bloke that delivered it bought and sold a lot of IQ's and was surprised how much paint "hadnt" come off ours..!

Hi Andy,

my Auris is pure white and I have used the Halfords touch up pen kits that comprise of a primer and top coat but just use the top coat on the small chips and can barely see them.  The stone chips are a pain as one minute the car looks great the next a stone chip appears out of nowhere.

Resprays are not cheap and the cost can be prohibitive on older cars. 👍

[Comfy]

Yep - fully aware of how much work costs....and engine rebuild on my ducati cost 3k and that was with me taking the engine out....that being said it got lots of upgrades that wouldnt have been possible before...

Im getting old now...im a bit old fashioned like that....i dont need the latest and the greatest....our IQ works, does the job and, as you cant get them anymore numbers will only dwindle over time - im happy to spend money on it if it needs it.....i always equate it to something like a mk1 ford escort...20 years ago you could find them for pocket change....a barn find now will cost thousands...im not saying the iq will be like that but as time goes on a well looked after car will start to hold its value...

[hegdesh]

On 6/8/2023 at 9:28 AM, eein said:

A couple of years ago I did something similar on my BMW 760 which had "Individual" triple coat pearlescent paint. Needed whole front bumper (which is big on a car like that) and a rear quarter including blending in to avoid doing the whole rear bumper. I used 'Chips Away' which is a national franchise thing. I was very impressed with the results - all done in 24 hours and couldn't see anything , even the blending in line when pointed at. It cost £400, and was told it'd be less on 'normal' painted cars.

Inflation will push that up now, but I'd expect you'd not need to go over £500. The iQ is not a huge surface area, and the bonnet is an easy full panel to paint.

On my (black) iQ I've also had to do some work, but the pain has not got too bad, so I had a full body machine polish a few years ago which got rid of almost all light scratching (washing, cats, etc) and then I've filled all stone chips on the bonnet using the Chipex system - it does not leave a perfect finish like other methods I've done before, but is very quick and simple to use and from a couple of meters away is unnoticeable (and crucially seals any rusted spots).

Thanks Iain, I will look into ChipsAway, take some decent photos and see what they say.

I also found a place relatively near me based out of the Brent Cross shopping centre called ‘PaintChip’.  I believe it is a franchise, and seems to be sort of halfway house between mobile paint re spray and full body shop.  Anyone had any experience of these guys?

Once again - thank you everyone for your attention, feedback and helpful suggestions!

Shyam

[TonyHSD]

14 hours ago, hegdesh said:

Thanks Iain, I will look into ChipsAway, take some decent photos and see what they say.

I also found a place relatively near me based out of the Brent Cross shopping centre called ‘PaintChip’.  I believe it is a franchise, and seems to be sort of halfway house between mobile paint re spray and full body shop.  Anyone had any experience of these guys?

Once again - thank you everyone for your attention, feedback and helpful suggestions!

Shyam

Hi, 

I have Auris from 2010 with exactly the same problem. Both rear doors are peeling badly. On inspection I can see more trouble and it’s likely with the primer rather than the paint which means very tricky repair and expensive. To be done properly the repair shop needs to strip the bodywork to bare metal or at least remove the whole paint with sanding if not using chemicals, a process that adds time and money and I suspect most quotes will not include that, which means they will simply re spray over and your happiness will not last long, perhaps a year or two max. I was quoted £500 + both doors and I believe this is only over spray. My decision is just keep it like that and cover with wrap, any design to make it not as bad. Btw you don’t need to re spray and cover . You can only sand and make the surfaces clean , then cover with wrap so no imperfections can be seen. If you take the grey coat away you may want to spray with primer anti corrosion and then apply wrap. I had done without spraying now over a year and no any rust. Here some pictures. 

Soon will be doings new designs and extra covering. The insurance know about the stickers. All good 👍 

[Cyker]

You could buy a load of TOC stickers...   

[Rhymes with Paris]

24 minutes ago, Cyker said:

You could buy a load of TOC stickers...   

I have the Lincs massif and dubstep garage freaks on mine.

Thinking of cutting holes in the bonnet for fluorescent air scoops.

[TonyHSD]

Done yesterday the left door , after 1.5 years and almost bare metal under the wrap there was no rust at all. Just removed the wrap , cleaned and stick another peace. Will do the left door later today. The sun helps me remove the old wrap easier. 👌

[TonyHSD]

Job completed. Finished the left door too. No need respary or car wrap. Cheap and cheerful 😄 

[Pete.Z]

Makes me worty about our pearl white Auris, 2012 car…..

[TonyHSD]

Here another area to keep an eye on. It’s the rear hatch door shut . 

The reason I did not want to spent money on paint is obvious but also because  I can’t afford a proper garage to do it and all these corner body shops will spray over the white paint which means the new paint will only last a year or two at best., plus they aren’t cheap either.