Toyota has rewritten its Collision Repair Information Bulletin No. 65 on clear coat to mandate body shops follow the paint manufacturer’s requirements.
“To keep vehicle quality and sturdiness, Toyota and Lexus require all refinish repairs to follow the application guidelines from the applicable paint manufacturer,” the OEM wrote in the updated CRIB No. 65 dated this month. “Clear coat blending or melting doesn't satisfy the minimum film build requirements from the major paint manufacturers. Failure to not meeting the minimum film requirements can lead to durability defects in the blended area and isn't warranted through the paint manufacturers.”
It’s a far more direct ban compared to previous edition of CRIB No. 65, that was issued in 2021. That version explained the science behind why clear coat blending/melting was unacceptable after which concluded:
Note the new version says Toyota and Lexus “require” repairers to follow along with the paint manufacturer instructions, not merely “recommends strongly.”
Then-National General director of claims process and centralized service Jonathan Chase told the April Collision Industry Conference the semantics of “recommended” versus “required” OEM procedures can “jam up” carriers.
“We know when it's required, its pretty much slam-dunk,” he explained in the spring CIC. “We need to pay for this. It's not optional. Let's go do it.”
But if an operation is “recommended” – particularly on the lower-severity claim – “people ask a lot of questions regarding that stuff,” he said.
“And they are not trying to get out of it,” Chase continued. They would like to ensure the information justifying it would be “valid,” he explained.
Toyota's new “require” wording should therefore eliminate any doubt among insurers regarding clearcoat blending. Following the paint manufacturer requirements should be done, per the automaker.
Paint manufacturer warranties
Also to Toyota’s point, leading paint manufacturers inquired about the procedure through the Society of Collision Repair Specialists confirmed they wouldn’t warranty clearcoat blending:
