Paint-Most Durable Q.

Good Morning. So I'm renting a Tundra for a week in November to try it out on vacation. If it meets my needs, I'm planning to put in an order for a 2023, Crewmax (non-TRD). I've read through threads regarding paint and durability (or lack there of).

My top 4 colors:

Magnetic Gray Metallic
Army Green
Blueprint
Celestial Silber Metallic

I currently have a "obsidian blue" Honda Pilot that has the flaky look to the paint. The biggest issue I've had is trying to touch up, you just can't match the look on the paint even with the Honda OEM color. I think it's that "bass boat" like looking flake that is tough to match. So I'm trying to look for the most durable paint on a Tundra (added benefit if it touches up decently). I've tried looking up paint thickness but it seems to vary. Thanks!

 

Toyota paint is thin, especially on the new trucks. Color won't change that much however Toyota has had some issues with white and pearl white, as do most brands. The whites often dont have a clear coat.

Anyway, MGM is a nice color that looks good a long time and does not show dirt or scratches too bad. Same with the green. Silver can tend to fade over time. Toyota deep blues like nautical or blueprint have had some clear coat or other issues. Beautiful color but it will show marks, scratches more.

Whatever color you choose, keep it clean and wax/seal 3+ times a year and it should look great for a long time. For longevity, I would say MGM or Army Green as best bets from the choices you list.

 

Blueprint owner here, can sadly confirm. Breathe near it and it scratches. Don't dare let your teenage boy fart at it.

 

Same with the Celestial Silver unfortunately

 

In your shoes , I would look into doing your own ceramic coating its not hard just a solid day and a half of work. Or have some quality ppf done but a reputable shop NOT THE DEALER!! I am going to get my most likely to be scratched areas covered in PPF , then ceramic coat the truck.

 

I'm experiencing the same issues with the black. The factory paint is super thin! I noticed scratches after the first car wash. Since then its been touchless only. I only drive it on the weekends and somehow there is a new scratch after everytime it leaves the garage.

 

I think the tundra paint is just fine compared to the fords and chevs I owned the same years, I wouldn’t worry about it. Go light color if worried about visual scratches, can’t beat white or silver.

 

I love detailing and do a lot of cars. Its not extremely uncommon . Black obviously will show marks super easy. Toyotas paint isn't the hardest or softest(Tesla) , but any brush style on car wash that contacts the car will cause scratches no matter how hard or soft the paint.

Use quality microfiber like ones from The Rag Company, don't wipe your car without some lubrication involved ie detail spray, rinse less wash ect. The only way to prevent any car from scratching is a proper wash process at home, 2 buckets ,grit guards, clean wash pads. I have seen cars with super hard ceramiclear coats scratch no issue with just some dust and a microfiber.

I got a new Cadillac a couple years ago extremely hard paint, the first wash the dealer did in there car wash took me 9 hours of labor to undue the damage.

 

Those are 4 very different colors you’re debating. I would just pick the one you like the most and like other have stated above, keep a layer of wax on it all the time, 2 bucket wash and park it in the garage (or covered). The paint, no matter the color, should do fine over the long run.

 

Two words - ceramic coating.

Get it installed professionally of course!

 

Ive owned 1 blue streak metallic tundra and 3 or 4 MGM tundras. Currently on WCP and it shows zero scratches vs MGM which scratches easily.