Has anyone else found that the Prius paint scratches very easily? We have noticed a few small and very superficial scratches through the colored layer into the white under-layer, especially after car washes!--but I've seen a couple of relatively new cars with extensive scratches through the colored layer, especially on the side panels. Could it be related to the speed of producing the cars to get them out and into the market? Any thoughts on how to prevent the scratches?<br>Alan

Alan, I have had my Prius for about 2K miles. In that time I have noticed that the paint seems overly brittle. It will chip off the metal or primer with minimal distress. The smallest particle (road grit) will leave an impression. There have been numerous postings on the Egroup Prius message board about similar paint scratching or chipping problems. I am extremely excited about what Toyota has brought to the market, however, I think they have a problem with the paint. There is no reason with today's technology for paint to chip off this easily. Has anyone brought this to Priusman's attention. I am confident that Toyota, would listen to our experiences if we all are seeing similar issues.

&gt;&gt;There is no reason with today's technology for paint to chip off this easily.&lt;&lt;<br><br>I agree. After 8 mo. and 16,000 km. my Prius has sustained a shocking amount of damage. Some of the light scratches could be polished out, but there are several mysterious deeper ones and dozens of chips, including some on door edges that I know have never been banged against anything. I am considering asking that the car be repainted under warranty.

"Repainting under warranty" is exactly what a local Toyota dealership suggested that I ask for. I daresay most Prius owners have been equally careful, indeed loving, in the care of their cars and the caution with which they open doors, etc., and that the numbers of posts reporting such problems suggests strongly that there is a fleet-wide problem with the paint. There has been such an overwhelming response to the first post about this issue that it should be raised as a formal request for investigation by Toyota and for comment in this space by Priusman.

While cutting my sunroof hole (with electric shears), I noticed the paint seemed to detatch itself from the metal "kerf" rather easily.<br><br>Not too surprising, as the metal leaves the shears in a spiral, figure a 2" radius or so.<br><br>I remember thinking that the paint seemed on the brittle side, and that the primer/metal interface was the weak link.<br><br>Yet, if there was a problem with the paint, my door ding (yes, someone finally got me) and roof ding (Damn those trees!) should've resulted in chips. They did not.<br><br>In the old days, bumpers were chrome plated steel<br>and front-ends were shaped like billboards.<br><br>No rocks stood a chance, and those few that wanted to hit your hood were deflected away from the car by the air blast.<br><br>I think our .29 CD has a lot to do with the # and severity of chips.<br><br>Dealer cost of the front-end-mask is around $118.<br><br>Order it with your mats. Tell your dealer about owners' paint complaints when they try to charge you $143.<br><br>We all wash and wax our babies, right?<br><br>That's all you need to do to use a bra safely.<br><br>(And to think I once hated automotive lingerie!)<br><br>Jeff (Ever see a new car repainted? It's never the same...plus, if "problem" is with primer, a simple color/clear repaint won't solve anything)

3M now offers a crystal clear laminate that is applied to cars at the dealership - my dealer has an outside contractor come in and do the work (the same company that reps the product). It looks great and I'm probably going to spring for it. It's a few hundred dollars and can be removed/replaced. You can have them cover just lower part of the hood or add the lower part of the doors and rocker panels as well.