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Paint Chips on Front Bumper, Absolutely Red Paint Color

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Scott D, Feb 7, 2016.

  1. Scott D

    Scott D Junior Member

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    I have a 2012 C with the Absolutely Red paint color. I have dozens and dozens of paint chips(maybe a hundred) on the front bumper and also quite a few on the hood as well. I do not drive closely behind other vehicles and have not heard rocks or gravel hitting the front of my car. These have been occurring continuously since November of 2012 when I bought the car brand new. I once saw an Absolutely Red Toyota Matrix with the same problem. But I look at other Toyotas and never see this problem. Does anyone else have this problem? My dealer will not do anything to help, and I do not like the look of the black bras some people use. I keep touching up dozens of chips with a dab of touch up paint, but this is just a temporary solution as the touch up paint falls of a year or so later and I have to do it again. Meanwhile I keep getting even more little chips.
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I would just keep dabbing. You must be getting good at it, lol. Maybe apply with a toothpick tip, make it as surgical as possible.

    If you're really not following closely, and you're the only driver, I'm at a loss, as to why you're accumulating so many chips. Dirt roads, construction?
     
  3. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Well once the chips exist, you have to touch up or repaint.

    Before they exist a Clear Bra could help resist those chips.

    At this point if you've already touched up a whole lot of chips?
    I think the best course of action is to continue. Because putting a clear bra on OVER existing chips or touch up paint doesn't seem like a good idea to me.

    If you ever reach the point where you are repainting the entire area(s)? Then I would consider getting a quality protective Clear Bra.

    I don't know anything about the durability of "Absolutely Red" either positive or negative.
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Change the "2 second rule" to 4 seconds?
     
  5. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Cover the next car with as much protective film as you can. On the bright side, plastic and aluminum don't rust. (Yes, I know aluminum oxidizes.)
     
  6. Scott D

    Scott D Junior Member

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    Thank you for your replies. I don't follow other cars or trucks closely, as a matter of fact I stay further back than most other drivers. I don't follow construction vehicles or salt trucks closely at all, and I do not drive on dirt or gravel roads. I'm the only driver of the car. I just know I saw that one other Toyota, a Matrix, in Absolutely Red with the same issue and wondered if other Absolutely Red owners had the same issue. I guess it will remain a mystery. I catch myself checking out the front end of all sorts of Toyotas of all different colors and everyone else's seem fine, but I don't see very many Absolutely Red Toyotas.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.