Possible solution to the ugly "Bone China" trim

nice find! they have matte black too. it's a restorer though, not sure it will work over white.

 

Our previous Civic Hybrid had a silver painted shifter bezel, over base black plastic. It wasn't long before and errant key nicked it, showing the black undercolor. Then another, and another: whenever you have paint over a contrasting base colour, it gets burnished looking after a while.

In this case, guess you just recoat it then.

 

now if they sold the black with the red sparkly paint for the door panels Id be happy, dog scratch the hell out of them on my gen 2's

 

at least we don't have any keys to nick it.

 

Black Plasti-Dip, sprayed well, is a nice finish, and stuff won't slide around on it.

I wonder if the pieces would take electroless nickel plate? I think a dark nickel finish would look nice, but stuff would slide around on it.

-Chap

 

Very sad that you have to even THINK of a solution to this, in a brand new car! arghhh

 

Exactly my sentiment. I wonder how much they get feedback from dealerships, on things like this? They've gotta have some process, for gauging customer sentiments, likes/dislikes. It's puzzling though, seems the Pacific Ocean is still quite the gulf.

Another example: why did they start painting the 15" alloys black in 2012? Due to a lot of Prius rolling into service bays minus their wheel covers?

 

so very true---I hop someone is gauging these comments--VERY SAD situation for a MUCH anticipated new release of the PRIUS!

 

The most baffling thing to me about it is the way they describe it as some kind of original, innovative interior design touch, when it couldn't possibly be a more obvious imitation of my mom's Volt:



My guess is some plastics supplier figured out a spiffy new white-porcelain-y finish process, then sent their ace sales exec around to all the car mfrs to say "you don't want to miss out on this!"

-Chap

 

Check out Hydrographics. I don't like the white much either but unless some replacments hit the streets this year I'm going this route.

 

wow, i never heard such a hue and cry over the volt interior, and that's way worse.

 

Perhaps someone can be slammed on the customer satisfaction survey.

 

When I used to do custom car stereo installation, we used SEM Color Coat to paint interior panels be it wood, vinyl, plastic panels, fiberglass, bondo or kitty hair. The paint doesn't chip, flake, scratch or otherwise defect. The paint lasted years. It drys quick too. usually about a minute or 2 to feel dry to the touch. We do multiple thin layers. It takes a lot of paint to make it run but I do 5 to 10 thin coats.

 

I have been in shock since November and it's taken me this long to post about it. I remember when the first photos appeared in August, many were upset. I wasn't exactly thrilled but felt I could live with the new design. My main concern was that ATP would only be available in the top model, which as I elucidated in my previous (and also overly lengthy) post in September negates what I think Prius is all about which is technology. To this day I talk up my 2006 Gen II and how even the lower trim levels like mine came with backup camera, three-door smart key, and stability control, all of which were cutting edge technology in 2006. In other words Prius is not an economy car like so many people still believe, but a technology showcase. But then for Gen III Toyota placed ATP on the top shelf out of reach for most people including me so I skipped that entire generation. I wasn't willing (even if I had been able to) to pay for leather and 17 inch wheels etc. which I didn't want just to have the privilege of spending even more money on top of that to get ATP.

Finally November arrived and TonyPSchaefer posted the package table and I was absolutely thrilled, as all of the stars lined up for me in the 3 (non-touring). ATP available, including not only DRCC but full speed DRCC, moonroof, 15" wheels, heck even a donut, which like many other people was a nail biter for me waiting to find out if it would be included. And on, and on and on, it was like someone at Toyota had read my mind. My only regret was to discover that my beloved Super White which I had heard was making a comeback would only be available in fleet vehicles. But other than that I was pinching myself to see if I was dreaming about my good fortune.

Then just as quickly the dream turned into a nightmare when I saw it. The dreaded X. For Bone China. In the column for the 3. After two months of shell shock I am still bitterly disappointed that I now have to wait until 2017 when I am assuming that the washroom interior will have been eliminated (pun intended) due to consumer backlash.

It was so close. They had the sale. Why did they do it?

 

I HAVE to concur---I have a pristine 2008--THIS was to be MY year--and the New Prius was to be THE car---I am very very sad......

 

My story is so close to Since2002's it is frightening! Our 'loaded' 2006 is going to get to stay with us a bit longer. That nice person-end design is what's doing for us, as well as this whole spotty and random use of the white interior trim.

I have pondered that the white might actually not be as scratch-obvious as the shiny Black trim/surfaces. I am perplexed that the designers chose to use the white as an accent rather than the entire console. We're all so accustomed to Black as the mainstay for auto interior dash trim that this intermittent use of the White is shocking. I would rather see an option whereas the entire LCD Batwing Shroud trim, Glove box, lower console and storage arm rest were totally white. Then, option 2... all black. Make it a select choice.

Unless things change for 2017+, I'm in line for the Model 3.

 

they did it because they forgot to call you guys and ask for your opinions.

 

Exactly! It's not like I'm unlisted.

 

Bisco - I definitely asked myself several times "c'mon it's just interior trim you'll get used to it". But I can only keep that up if I don't look at the photos. There's a slim chance that when I see it in person I won't think it looks so bad but the odds seem low. Right now I just can't get the picture of kitchen sink and wash basin (and one other plumbing product) out of my head.

I also realize that styles change and things that I used to think were horrendous I get used to, and sometimes even learn to like. At the moment this just doesn't seem like one of them.

Right now it's all opinion until several months of sales and survey data come in. The key being did this affect sales either plus or minus. If only three of us don't buy cars because of it and a larger number of people like it, the remainder either not liking it but not a deal breaker, or willing to have the parts recoated somewhere at their own expense, then Toyota made the right decision. We'll find out as the rollout plays out.