Toyota Yaris: Appearance Care / Exterior Care

The paintwork on your Toyota represents the latest technical developments in composition and methods of application.

Environmental hazards, however, can harm the paint’s protective properties, if proper care is not taken.

Here are some examples of possible damage, with tips on how to prevent them.

Etching Caused by Acid Rain or Industrial Fallout

• Occurrence

  Industrial pollutants and vehicle emissions drift into the air and mix with rain or dew to form acids. These acids can settle on a vehicle’s finish. As the water evaporates, the acid becomes concentrated and can damage the finish.

  And the longer the acid remains on the surface, the greater the chance is for damage.

• Prevention

  It is necessary to wash and wax your vehicle to preserve its finish according to the instructions in this section. These steps should be taken immediately after you suspect that acid rain has settled on your vehicle’s finish.

Damage Caused by Bird Dropping, Insects, or Tree Sap

• Occurrence

  Bird droppings contain acids. If these are not removed they can eat away the clear and color base coat of the vehicle’s paintwork.

  When insects stick to the paint surface and decompose, corrosive compounds form.

  These can erode the clear and color base coat of the vehicle’s paintwork if they are not removed.

  Tree sap will harden and adhere permanently to the paint finish. If you scratch the sap off while it is hard, some vehicle paint could come off with it.

• Prevention

  It is necessary to have your Toyota washed and waxed to preserve its finish according to the instructions in this section. This should be done as soon as possible.

  Bird droppings can be removed with a soft sponge and water. If you are traveling and these are not available, a moistened tissue may also take care of the problem. The cleaned area should be waxed according to the instructions in this section.

  Insects and tree sap are best removed with a soft sponge and water or a commercially available chemical cleaner.

  Another method is to cover the affected area with dampened newspaper for 1 to 2 hours. After removing the newspaper, rinse off the loosened debris with water.

Water Marks

• Occurrence

  Rain, fog, dew, and even tap water can contain harmful minerals such as salt and lime. If moisture containing these minerals settles on the vehicle and evaporates, the minerals will concentrate and harden to form white rings. The rings can damage your vehicle’s finish.

• Prevention

  It is necessary to wash and wax your vehicle to preserve its finish according to the instructions in this section. These steps should be taken immediately after you find water marks on your vehicle’s finish.

Paint Chipping

• Occurrence

  Paint chipping occurs when gravel thrown in the air by another vehicle’s tires hits your vehicle.

• How to avoid paint chipping

  Keeping a safe distance between you and the vehicle ahead reduces the chances of having your paint chipped by flying gravel.

Follow all label and container directions when using a chemical cleaner or polish. Read all warnings and cautions.

Paint Chipping

• The paint chipping zone varies with the speed of the vehicle. For example, when traveling at 56 mph (90 km/h), the paint chipping zone is 164 ft. (50 m).
• In low temperatures a vehicle’s finish hardens. This increases the chance of paint chipping.
• Chipped paint can lead to rust forming on your Toyota. Before this happens, repair the damage by using Toyota touch-up paint according to the instructions in this section. Failure to repair the affected area could lead to serious rusting and expensive repairs.

• Maintaining the Finish
• Repairing Damage to the Finish
• Bright-Metal Maintenance
• Underbody Maintenance
• Aluminum Wheel Maintenance (if equipped)
• Plastic Part Maintenance