Damage under PPF

I have a new 4runner less than 300 miles (from dealership to garage awaiting PPF). The xpel installer pulled the tiny strip of factory PPF off the door and believe they caused this “chip”. It wasn’t like that when I brought in, didn’t have any rocks hit nor hit against anything (it hasn’t even sat in a parking lot yet). I’m kinda sick about it and wished they would have told me before installing the PPF so I could get it corrected, what should I do or consider? It’s on the drivers door.

 

If you have a white 4R I’d like to see you factory PPF on the drivers door. Thanks!

 

The film that comes from the factory on the lower doors is actually pretty tough stuff. It seems like it’s made to stand up to a fair amount of gravel hits. Did they PPF the entire door? If so, I can understand why they took it off, but it’s a shame they didn’t fix it before covering it.

 

You’re not gonna like my answer but I had a ‘98 Wrangler Sport that with the same amount of miles a friend of mine allowed the passenger door to swing wide and I got my first ding. I learned to accept it and in my mind told myself that I was glad I got that out-of-the way and I wasn’t due for any dings any time soon. It wasn’t long and I rarely noticed or thought about it. I’d leave it alone and think of it as part of your vehicle’s character. PS: I hope they discounted or did something to make it up to you.

Update**. I wanted to add to my comment because I was definitely not trying to be snarky. Even though I am still under my 3 year factory and have a 10 year 100K warranty I have to weigh the risk benefit of taking my 4Runner to my local dealership because they have a record of causing more harm.

I’m in the process of doing the rear hatch garnish rust/chip fix which I could get repaired under warranty but I have chosen to do it myself because I have read horror stories from what other folks have had happen after leaving their 4Runner with the dealership. I have an alternate dealership an hour a way which has a slightly better reputation and if and when something major arises I think I will go that route.

 

I just had my wife's white 2017 with factory film detailed. The film had a moldy color underneath and was turning yellow. The detailer used a steam gun to get it off as he said if he just peeled it the paint would also come off. Maybe they didn't steam it? With the steam gun no issues except his fingers were burning .

 

Ming c.

It like it got too hot or not hot enough and took a fingernail and peeled the paint up. ‍♀️

 

Sorry to see this. It almost looks like they stopped pealing back just before that chip ? If pulling from the edge back to the left.

Was there a reason you were taking off the film from the factory from the bottom of the door? I am wondering the paint was just too fresh with the film on it? I have no idea just surmising.

 

Not snarky at all. I tried to think that way… but given the price of PPF I paid it’s not acceptable. They should have told me before applying film or we discuss correction/touch up paint before covering it. Do all 4rs get rust in the garnishment area? I have the blackout one.

 

I was guessing similar or too hot or not enough heat was applied when pulling off. I was getting full front, doors PPFd for protection against chips ironically. They have to take it off to put xpel on it.

 

Ahh gotcha I understand what you are saying. You had the whole door done so factory stuff had to come off first. I am told there is a thicker Xpel also for the bottom of the doors. It’s 25 percent more money for the product. Sorry this happened to you man. I’m not sure I tried to peel back to touch up now. It might be worth a call to Xpel directly to see some advice.

 

I guess the big question now is, does the PPF prevent corrosion? And if they pull off the PPF now, will it extend the hole to be even bigger?

I would personally go back to the shop and have them remove the PPF, touch it up, and then have them re-do it. I would also have them reduce the price they charged you if possible.

 

After reading a post on this forum I checked my 2023 and this is what I found. Plastic trim rubbing off paint

 

This is new 2024 and there appears to be a tape line at bottom of doors where the clear “perfect paint” meets the rougher/gritty paint. It starts just before the 3M factory film and continues back. 2021 did not have this just a different painter I guess.

 

@mac1usa that rock(er)/chip guard/protection applied lower. It's a thicker paint/process that is supposed to help with rock chips along the rocker area. It's an actual applied product and is supposed to be there.

 

Thanks @aceandeights. I was thinking that as I noticed on my other ORP. But is there supposed to be like a painters tape line to separate the two finishes? Seems like they put a tape and sprayed the grittier paint below but the tape line does not go from door edge to door edge.

If you see the line I circled in blue. This line appears to be a painters tape line extending down both doors. Most of it appears covered by the factory ppf but as you can see just in front of ppf this line appears to still exist. Just seems odd as I have not seen that line on the other ORPs

 

I'll look at mine later, but if I remember right, and I may not, they have chip guard applied, and then PPF over that. Again, I may be remembering it wrong. Chip guard can be a "paint-like" product, or a film. Manufacturers often use both. You'll find a clear film "tape", and a paint-like product on vehicles. Generally, the tape is cleaner looking, so you'll see that on "cars" and the applied product will be on trucks and 4x4, but some manufacturers will use both.

Often you'll see the film on the "dog leg", the quarter panel near the rear/bottom of the door edge too.

 

Thank you so much. I am very appreciative. I tried to attach a small video but does not appear to work

 

This is a video of the tape line or maybe just the pic as I don’t think the iPhone video attached

 

seems that should be a warranty item!

 

looks like a photo…so the factory PPF does go to the bottom right corner.

 

It would be. Which is the point I was making to OP. I’m trying to avoid the dealership at all cost. I’m gonna tackle this myself.

 

Does the 3M tape go to the right bottom corner on the drivers door?

 

The 3M ppf tape stops at the blue circle. Note the rounded curvature of the 3m tape near blue circle. May need to zoom in on pic. Yet the “paint line” extends to the green circle just shy of the very front of the door.

It’s the same on both sides of vehicle.

 

Upper circle is top of 3m ppf from factory and lower circle is like a “paint line” separating smooth paint from rough/gritty paint