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2012 Rear Spoiler Paint Oxidizing

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by prevee5, Jul 17, 2016.

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  1. prevee5

    prevee5 Member

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    Anyone else have paint issues with their rear spoiler?

    My 2012 Prius v is mostly parked outside. However, it is washed and waxed regularly and the rest of the car looks like new.

    Mine is in Classic Silver.

    Seems way too premature for the paint to be failing like it is.

    -2102 Prius v ver. 5
    Classic Silver
     
    #1 prevee5, Jul 17, 2016
  2. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    No issues with our 1G3 Winter Gray Metallic. Is it possible the spoiler was replaced or repainted and not clear-coated?
     
    #2 Air_Boss, Jul 17, 2016
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2016
  3. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    Assuming you mean the spoiler on top of the hatch, that's plastic and won't weather like the rest of the car. But its also possible it didn't get the clear coat, or has some other defect.
     
    #3 rdgrimes, Jul 17, 2016
  4. prevee5

    prevee5 Member

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    Thanks for the replies.

    The car was purchased brand new. So It was most likely never repaired.
    Yes, I am referring to the spoiler on top of the hatch.
    The spoiler was as glossy as the rest of the car for about 3 years but noticed the blotchy dull finish in spots on the top surface within the last 6 months or so. The affected area covers about a 24" across the spoiler.

    May ask dealer during my next oil change.
     
    #4 prevee5, Jul 18, 2016
  5. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Will be interested in dealer's comments.

    Do you have the car machine washed? Ever notice any abrasions near the affected area?
     
    #5 Air_Boss, Jul 18, 2016
  6. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    Let me give you a preview. "That kind of wear is normal for a 4 year old vehicle parked outside."

    And in California? Could happen in less than 3 years. Good luck with the dealer.
     
    #6 mmmodem, Jul 18, 2016
  7. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    I've had 18-20 year old vehicles that give the lie to such nonsense.
     
    #7 Air_Boss, Jul 18, 2016
  8. prevee5

    prevee5 Member

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    Car was machine washed a few times at the dealer with my oil changes....maybe 8 or 10 times. Otherwise hand wash at home using Meguires carwash soap.

    No other abrasions...just appears oxidized.
    Was thinking of using clay on the area to see what effect it may have.
     
    #8 prevee5, Jul 19, 2016
  9. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    In that event, I wouldn't be inclined to listen to any nonsense about 'typical 3-4 year paint life'.
     
    #9 Air_Boss, Jul 19, 2016
  10. booke02

    booke02 Active Member

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    My 2010 Prius is only parked outside in the harsh Israeli sun - no sign of discoloring. Sounds like you just got a bad one.
     
    #10 booke02, Jul 20, 2016
  11. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    Sorry, I'm being too subtle. I don't have any issues. The quote means that's what I think the dealer will say. There's really no point in talking to the dealer when you're one year past the warranty date. They say things like that.
     
    #11 mmmodem, Jul 20, 2016
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  12. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    This isn't a geographical issue, or a storage or a meteorological issue...... it's a warranty issue.
    You're either covered or not, and my guess would be 'not.'
    Popping a relief valve at the dealership, while entertaining, would be something of a time waste, IMHO.
    Your time and energy might be better spent in a body repair shop.

    My company car doesn't have a painted spoiler, it's just a black piece of plastic but some cars with limited color choices offer pieces/parts that are color matched - so you may want to look into that. Also...I've seen more than one or two hatch-versus-garage door incidents in this forum, so I'm guessing that this trip piece might be more widely available than others.

    Good Luck!
     
    #12 ETC(SS), Jul 20, 2016
  13. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Around $175, match-painted, on ebay...
     
    #13 Air_Boss, Jul 20, 2016
  14. prevee5

    prevee5 Member

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    Finally had a chance to find a "fix" for my spoiler.

    Couldn't find my clay bar so I ended up using some 3M rubbing compound which is no doubt more abrasive than the clay.

    Well, the oxidized areas improved somewhat but definitely still visible at certain angles. I then applied a coat of good quality wax. At least this will hopefully slow down any further degradation in the finish.

    My thought is that the original paint/clearcoat was not properly applied. As stated before, the dealer will probably say this is normal wear and tear so not expecting much from them. I will probably have to leave it at that.

    I guess I have to get the worthless junk out of the garage so I can park it inside.
     
    #14 prevee5, Jul 25, 2016
  15. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Get some aerosol clear coat, strip off the wax, clean and dry with an alcohol wipe, mask off the spoiler, and put down two coats of clear.

    Way easier than cleaning out the garage!
     
    #15 Air_Boss, Jul 25, 2016
    booke02 likes this.
  16. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    I've seen silver paint deteriorate. A VW I had was the worst, granted more than 30 years ago. Looked like it was sandblasted.
     
    #16 mikefocke, Jul 25, 2016
  17. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Had a Zermatt Silver 944 (that I caught up with recently) on which the original paint still shines.
     
    #17 Air_Boss, Jul 25, 2016
  18. prevee5

    prevee5 Member

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    Hey fellow v owners......believe it or not, I got approval from Toyota to replace my defective rear spoiler. Have an appointment this Thurs for the on-site collision center. They're also paying for the rental car. Got all this approved by contacting Toyota Corporate via their toll-free number.
    Hard to believe.
     
    #18 prevee5, Oct 4, 2016
    bisco and Sooner Al like this.
  19. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    Corporate beats the Dealer most of the time in customer service.
     
    #19 Montgomery, Oct 4, 2016
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  20. prevee5

    prevee5 Member

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    Follow up.

    The v now has a brand new rear spoiler. The service advisor was not very helpful so I had to open a Case with Toyota Corporate. Long story short, they approved the repair and rental car. (2016 Rav4 XLE) Dropped off the v on a Thursday, picked it up the following Tuesday.

    I guess persistence paid off.
     
    #20 prevee5, Oct 20, 2016
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