Owners, how is your paint holding up?

[jjswan33]

To other owners, specifically those without PPF, how do you think your paint is holding up?

I have had my truck 2.5 weeks and driven 1500 miles. Some of the issues are obvious, for example small rock chips on the side behind the front tire and on the front end. I am also seeing some white scratches on the passenger side just past the front and general surface scratches presumably in the clear coat.

Not sure what caused the white scratches pictured. I assume the subtle surface scratches are from my cleaning brush, maybe I can buff those out.

I was expecting my truck would get scratched up but a bit surprised by how quickly it has.

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[Bigskyinminnie]

I looked yesterday on mine out of curiosity but couldn't find any chips. I don't have near the miles you do though and expect them like any other car I've owned. The blue will show far less than say white. Also some light swirling/scratches from washes done by Rivian pre-delivery. I use two bucket hand wash at home to avoid what you've shown in the last photo. Clearcoat is pretty easy to mark up but a light polish will take that out.

 

[KiloV]

Foam cannon. Rinse. Leaf blower to dry. You won't get any wash-related marks.

If you're not gonna do PPF (which I recommend for the front clip, A-pillars and roof leading edge at least), then think about a ceramic coating product to make cleaning easier.

 

[Engi_Nerd]

Winced at "brush"

 

[jjswan33]

Winced at "brush"

That is fair. I have a very soft shammy style at home that works great, was using it on the matte paint on my EV6 without issue. I was at a self serve wash yesterday, I sprayed out their brush extensively and thought it looked ok but live and learn I guess

 

[Davethadog]

What type of "cleaning brush" are you using? Scotchbrite?

Probably not the case with these cars given how long they've sat on a lot prior to delivery but generally (depending on the exact coating) clear coat isn't really completely hard until weeks later. We used to do pencil tests on cars sitting on the lot and found that it took sometimes a month or longer to completely harden up in the winter time.

I also wouldn't be surprised given their other paint issues if they haven't totally dialed in their ratios and mixing equipment.

 

[jjswan33]

What type of "cleaning brush" are you using? Scotchbrite?

Probably not the case with these cars given how long they've sat on a lot prior to delivery but generally (depending on the exact coating) clear coat isn't really completely hard until weeks later. We used to do pencil tests on cars sitting on the lot and found that it took sometimes a month or longer to completely harden up in the winter time.

I also wouldn't be surprised given their other paint issues if they haven't totally dialed in their ratios and mixing equipment.

At home I use something like this:


I think those scratches came from the brush at the self serve wash near me, something like this:

 

[DaveA]

Microfiber anything would be best to reduce swirl marks on a darker colored vehicle, in my experience.

 

[Rousie13]

That is fair. I have a very soft shammy style at home that works great, was using it on the matte paint on my EV6 without issue. I was at a self serve wash yesterday, I sprayed out their brush extensively and thought it looked ok but live and learn I guess

In my opinion if you use the brush or anything that touches your paint at a public car wash, it's usually game over for the micro-scratches in the clear coat. I've seen people use those brushes for some interesting things and then people stick that same brush on their car...makes me cringe.

 

[r1vlife]

At home I use something like this:


I think those scratches came from the brush at the self serve wash near me, something like this:

I had this realization after I dried my car but we have to remember that we can just use the built in air compressor to dry the truck ?...at least I hope we can

 

[No.92]

Can't say enough to protect an $80-90K vehicle:

• Get PPF to protect the front bumper at the very least (more if you can)
• Get graphene or ceramic coating (2 layers) -- Don't cheap out here
  • If you get this, washing is so much easier. I couldn't believe how much easier it is until I got this
• Hand wash with soap with filtered water. Ask your ceramic guy which is the best to not strip off the coating
  • Found this off of a Youtube video and it really does filter the hardness out
    
  • Amazon link to filter
• Hand dry vehicle with microfiber

If you choose to wash with the wrong tools or using an automatic car wash, you're asking for some quick wear on the paint. This would be the case for any vehicle

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