Etch spots on new ORP paint?

I have some spots on my new ORP that look like clear coat etching? This pic is on the grill right below the hood where the latch is, the body gap between the hood and bumper cover . There were some on the hood also adjacent to the the body gap but they came off with Meguires cleaner wax and Terry cloth. These spots are on the roof also. They are not on the painted panels anywhere else. Has anyone ever seen this? Any advice on how to remedy them if possible?

 

damn QC is definitely going downhill..

 

That could have happened in transit. It's a long trip from Japan by several modes of travel.

 

What could have caused it? Acid rain?

 

Maybe the vehicle went by someone spraying an insecticide or something. Maybe spraying a solvent of some sort. It would be difficult to tell, but you could try a few Qitips and a few different solvents on discreet spots to see if maybe alcohol, gasoline, soap, etc. has an effect. Hard to tell from the pics if the spots are residue or places where clear coat and/or paint was dissolved. If some came off with Meguiar's, maybe residue.

 

My lunar rock roof had that too, it’s my 3rd 5th gen and there are definitely quality control issues compared to the others I’ve owned. Unfortunately a Covid build.

 

Pavo, would the spots come off? Did you just live with it? I don’t know if dealer or body shop could fix it without causing more problems. Fortunately it’s just on my roof and the top piece of grill

 

I used mguires polishing compound, that seemed to get some of it off then i hit it with turtle wax polishing compound I think it got it out (sometimes the imperfections are more visible when under shade looking at it at an angle) if it’s still there I might hit it with turtle wax rubbing compound and then some polishing compound as a last resort

 

So you didn’t ask dealer to address it? I’m thinking they will refuse or possibly make other issues. It’s not on my hood oddly? I’m wondering if the hood had plastic on it but roof didn’t? Will Using a polishing compound remove some of clear coat? The Meguires cleaner wax is clear-coat safe so I know it’s not abrasive.

 

the dealer will most likely tell you to pound sand I mean you can try worst case is they say no. I already had to deal with them to fix a rattle from behind my passenger side vent which they did but they scratched my dash in the process

a rubbing compound is an abrasive so it will cut into your clear hence try a polishing compound by hand first or if you’re not comfortable get a professional detailer, it’s something you don’t want to make worse

 

I was able to significantly lessen the spots on small section of roof using Meguires cleaner wax. I think I’ll wash it then use clay bar on roof in case it has contaminants from shipping (rail car?) embedded in paint. Then I use cleaner wax and see what it looks like. The non-metal top piece of grill-bumper (my picture above) will not get any better. The hood right next to it is fine, must have been covered. Oddly the rest of grill-bumper below the top section is fee of etching spots. It’s like a mist of something settled on top surface of car. The metal panels seem to have been less affected (unable to be remedied) than the non-metal pieces of grill-bumper. I have same spots on top of rear spoiler too. I’ll have a lot of work to do today washing, drying, clay bar and waxing. I think I can live with but it’s disappointing. The 4 Runner is otherwise amazing. Very solid feeling. I have already had it off-road using all the driver assist features it has (4 Hi-Lo, crawl, MTS, Atrac, diff lock). Everything works fine. Just like my Tacoma, the diff lock takes a few seconds to complete engaging the lock process. But that is the nature of Toyota diff lock.

 

After washing it, drying it, using a clay bar, I waxed using Meguires paste cleaner wax (clear coat safe). The roof spots are practically gone. A few remaining in the valley’s where the roof ridges intersect the low spots. That’s indicative to me that indeed some liquid was dispersed on the top surfaces.The spoiler top and that 1 panel adjacent to the hood (both non-metallic pieces) didn’t improve much. I think the metallic panels get etched less. My dealer this AM was very nice. The sales Mgr met and looked at it. He called the body shop manager right there and he said “come on down” (300 feet away). The body shop manager agreed something got on the car. He said they would, at my convenience, schedule a day where they could use a buffer and some wax that WOULD not remove clear coat. He thinks it will some out because of the rotary action being more aggressive than my hand. He said if I was not pleased they would repaint it although he said if it was his he would not because the factory paint is very good protection. Since they assured me the factory warranty would cover this anytime. Their attitude was very good. That made me want to improve it myself knowing I can always go to them. He gave me his card. I’m good with it as-is. It really affects your attitude when the dealer, sales Mgr and body shop manager are on the same page wanting me satisfied.