Preventative paint chipping on tailgate

So I have seen the threads about the tailgate spoiler chipping away at the paint on the corners. Seeing there’s a slight gap I knew I could slip a piece of 3M PPF in there. I noticed it start to rub and I only have 500 miles on it so I figured I need to stop it before it begins to chip away.

Took all of 5 minutes and from 2 feet away you can’t even tell it’s on there. I rushed it so the cuts are horrible so I’ll probably redo it at some point but you can only see it if you get inches away from it.

2 inch 3M PPF on Amazon is like $11 for 3 feet.

Masking tape for the putty knife I used to slip in there to create a small gap where it’s beginning to rub. That’s it.

 

Not sure if you did this, but you can spray some slip solution on the truck before you apply it and basically slide it into place. I just ordered some touch up paint for mine and then I will add Xpel film. You can make slip solution at home with a couple drops of soap and warm water.

 

Dropped mine at the dealer today for a technical specialist to show up and figure out what's going on. The wear shows up in 3 places from what I've seen. Props to my dealer for not just offering to repaint (not sure I want that anyway), and taking a further look to get root cause. I should know more by Friday.

 

Yeah, I didn’t want an entire repaint and I also feel better handling it myself. I just don’t have a lot of trust in my dealership handling it correctly. I look forward to hearing what the solution is for your truck.

The cause is plastic expansion from the temperature changing. In the morning the plastic has a decent gap and after sitting in the sun it’s touching in all the spots that paint has rubbed.

 

No I didn’t use any. Quik detailer works but it wouldn’t have done any good in this case. That tiny ass corner is pressed into the paint there’s no slipping anything in there, at least on mine. Unless you’re talking about after prying it up to make a gap. I need to redo it because it’s a shitty cut.

 

Your best bet is putting some PPF in between like I did. From what I’ve read this is a problem on every single one.

 

PPF going on front end tomorrow, will let the shop know to do this as well. Thanks !

 

Would you be able to point out the locations? I just got my tundra and want to avoid the paint issue!!!

 

Update?

 

So I heard back from my dealer. It's been fun. They brought out a technical guy from Toyota. The long and short of it is this... dealer offered to repaint whole tailgate. Then told me they have a great paint shop to handle the repair and noted that this repair shop is quite familiar with the issue and believes they have a "fix" for the underlying cause. - why did I have to get a technical guy out if this is clearly a known issue? Something not right. So I wait to hear when they will take my truck in for repaint.

 

I had my driver's rear door trim snap this weekend so it reminded me to jump on this site and relay information like this over. Toyota needs to chill with the plastic - trying to make these trucks look like the new fords.

 

Thanks for the update, hopefully all goes well.

 

Thank you for sharing this advice and idea - question though - the plastic is sharp and cutting through paint. Will the PFF hold up to that? I'd think over time it wears into the PFF and your back to original issue?

 

I’ve been checking my tailgate often since September 25 when I picked it up. Don’t notice anything yet, but maybe because it’s colder here nothing has expanded to rub? Wet snow today. Is this mainly a warm climate issue?

 

I'd guess so. Seems the issue is the plastic Toyota is using is expanding in heat (especially on darker color trucks). It expands and the gap isn't enough.

 

ok. We’ve had some days in the mid 20’s here (77F) but all seems well on my midnight black

 

PPF is damn tough. I think it’s going to last a while. I’ll keep my eye on it and it’s such an easy fix that a new piece can be slipped in with ease.

 

I joined the Club. Will ask my dealership tomorrow. I can use touch up but they need to find a way so it does not rub or has a filler between. Maybe more 3m tape?

 

Got my truck back last week. Full repaint on tailgate and the body shop had experience with the issue/repair/resolution. They apparently placed a gasket behind it to toughen it up. It feels much more solid and looks factory. Also removed and replaced all 4 door guards. Dealership could not have been cooler about the whole process. I'm going to ask them for the pic of the gasket.

 

Thanks for the update, sounds like you have a great dealership you’re working with.

 

I have this same issue with my MBM truck. How hard is it to remove/replace the tailgate handle?
I have some material I can cut to fit and out underneath like what #Woodrow bangs had done.

 

Mine hasn’t chipped yet and I was wondering the same thing. I’d take it off and apply ppf neatly then put it back on.

edit:

https://www.tundras.com/threads/sr5-tailgate-black-trim-removal.109694/

 

It's a pain in the ass to get it off. I attempted and gave up because I was concerned about breaking all the plastic clips. It's super easy to get everything off until you get to the actual tailgate spoiler piece.

 

I noticed a lot of the new Tundras have some plastic behind so it does not scratch on sides of spoiler when expanding in heat. However, under the handle it is still to paint and scratching.

 

So my issue has returned albeit less then before. I had my tailgate repainted and the body shop applied a gasket behind the spoiler to push it away from paint. Well the right side of the gate is chipping again. This has nothing to do with heat as some have suspected. It's averaged 50 degrees where I live since the paint work. I would not get your tailgates repainted for this issue. I would get the issue noted on your record so it will push Toyota to get a resolution.

 

tail gate handle on lower corners will rub. I found 3 brand new trucks on lot to have the same issue when I brought mine in for the same thing to simply document and start the paper trail while we wait for a true fix and not just a "repaint".

 

Does anyone know what was used to support the tailgate handle so that it does not touch the tailgate causing paint chipping? My reps at the dealership are lost even with the case number that was offered in this thread? Appreciated.

 

Any update on the tailgate handle fix

 

No I actually dropped off to my dealer today to get my door mouldings replaced again. I reminded them about the paint chipping on tailgate and "there is no fix yet". It's already been repainted and the body shop placed a gasket behind the spoiler. It didn't help. Maybe demand a repaint so they need to go through approval processes then decide if you really want to?

 

7k miles on 2023 and already had 3 recalls, 2 door moulding replacements, tailgate repainted (still not fixed). But chicks dig the truck so I'm stuck lol