[IS Fn Crazy]

My friends, my new black 2010 IS F already has a paint chip right on the front of the hood, small but very noticeable. Let me just ask the entire group of you a couple of questions... your answers will be very much appreciated, and hopefully spread topics to help other members... [I hope I'm posting in the right section]

1) Do you have any paint chips on your IS F. If so, how did it happen?

2) Were you successful at repairing the chip, or did you use a Bodyshop (and a professional)?

3) What method of fixing them did you employ? For this example, let's say it was on the hood, did you have the bodyshop use a technique of sorts and just fix the area, or did the entire hood have to be painted?

4) Do you know of any method that you've either heard of that is suppose to work good, like for example... Dr. ColorChip or Langka? Do you have any experience with these (or other similar) products that worked well (or horrible)?

5) Did you have any success in getting Lexus to pay for it? I mean this is an over $60k vehicle. Did your insurance cover the job as an alternative? In your case, was it a costly job, approx. how much?

6) Last Question: Did Lexus sell you a product called "Protection Plus"? If so, did it help to prevent the chips? Have you looked into a Clear Bra (and not for your girlfriend). If so, have the been a good investment, or if you're one who does not like them, please tell us why?

Thanks for all your help, I am looking forward to all your replies to help me and others. I just days ago got my paint chip so I don't know what direction to go in.. your replies will greatly improve my chances of doing this right.

Martin

 

[hahaha]

get a clear shield, and give up because its going to happen
and it sux

 

[phootdr]

the answer to questions #1-6 is:

shit happens.

 

[dsg03svt]

I just bought my 08 w/ 17k on the odometer and it is black as well. I am having Lexus repaint the hood, front bumper, fenders, and mirrors b/c there were too many rock chips for me to stand (I'm very particular about my cars). They are then going to put a clear bra on it to prevent any damage after the new paint. I can't wait and think if your anything like me, I would do this in the following steps:

1. check w/ lexus and see if they will repair at no cost

2. wait until someone gives a good response on a self-repair method and use it

3. after either dealer repair or self-repair, put a clear bra on it (it will prevent further rock chips and also possibly cover up the touch-up repair.

 

[F'n around]

Sorry to hear, but that is how it goes.

+1 for clear bra.

 

[matt310]

I just bought my 08 w/ 17k on the odometer and it is black as well. I am having Lexus repaint the hood, front bumper, fenders, and mirrors b/c there were too many rock chips for me to stand (I'm very particular about my cars). They are then going to put a clear bra on it to prevent any damage after the new paint. I can't wait and think if your anything like me, I would do this in the following steps:

1. check w/ lexus and see if they will repair at no cost

2. wait until someone gives a good response on a self-repair method and use it

3. after either dealer repair or self-repair, put a clear bra on it (it will prevent further rock chips and also possibly cover up the touch-up repair.

What was your strategy here, did you have them repaint the front of the car as a condition of the sale? Or are they doing this as goodwill?

Also, how long are you going to wait for the paint to dry/cure/harden before you have them install the clear bra?

-Matt

 

[dsg03svt]

What was your strategy here, did you have them repaint the front of the car as a condition of the sale? Or are they doing this as goodwill?

Also, how long are you going to wait for the paint to dry/cure/harden before you have them install the clear bra?

-Matt

Yes it was a condition of the sale.

I didn't think of that. This would be my first clear bra and I didn't consider the idea of cure time on the paint. After hearing that though, I'm sure there is such a thing. I'll have to do some research and see how long I should wait.

 

[dsg03svt]

Ok most seem to say 30 days after fresh paint is ample time. Thanks for pointing that out. I just emailed my salesperson and told her of my findings and that it looks like I'll be waiting a month after the paintwork to get the clear bra on. I won't be driving behind anything for miles until it's on, now I'm gonna be nervous as hell...

 

[IS Fn Crazy]

BodyShop Travels...

Hi, thanks for all your replies, I'm the original 'angry' poster... So, let me update you on my 'paint chip' repair suggestions. I truly appreciate yours... First off, I spoke to Lexus, They basically told me to go 'F' yourself! Hey, that's not bad, get it, "F" yourself... anyway. There's no way in hell they will pay for it, I mean I only paid $65,000.00 like 3 days ago... Great PR, right. I went bodyshop hunting just to see what they would say, I'll lay it out for you, here goes... feel free to comment.

BodyShop:
1) We can spray it, sand it down about 6 inches around the spot, paint it then spray the entire hood with clearcoat... $400. We use PPG waterbase paint process, and on, and on. I know nothing about paint, so I'm sorry if I'm so vague..

2) This next guy said, the paint process on a Lexus is so superior in the way they bake it on with robots and some electrostatic process... Personally, he said I wouldn't touch it because it will never be as durable as the original paint... The irony was, of coarse, I'm standing there with a paint chip in this 'most' durable paint. Consequently, he didn't want the job. He said, get some touch up paint and live with it... He was willing to do the touch up paint job but said he stopped doing BMW's, Lexus, and other high end cars.

3) I stopped at a Toyota dealership and they were the most confient in being able to get it back to original, they did have a new amazing facility and the guy said, we are the manufacturer and we can get it so you won't ever know it happened, it will blend perfect, and will be just as durable... $599.

4) I got the number of one of those guys that is an on-the-road ding, dent, and chip repair guy and he happened to be at a dealership working on another car when he looked at it. He was very confident in what he could do with it, and while saying 'you'll always know it's there, however most people would not be able to find it'... he told me he works on ferarri's and Lambo's and he's great and such... Anyways, it sounded like a good place to start. One thing to note, this guy was very much against these clear bra's, and said he would not recommend one in that they show lines and the paint changes over time and looks different...he went on and on and basically hated them.

I got to run for now but welcome all comments, I think I'll start with the cheapest, if it doesn't work, I'll do sometihng more expensive... Later.

 

[abyars]

Its a rock chip. Do you really think its the dealers fault for this? I would tell you the same thing. So would you approach the dealer after 3 months and demand they fix it? Sorry for being so defensive but, per phootdr, shit happens.

 

[hahaha]

the paint on my car is guaranteed never to fade
so clear shield is the way to go if u wanna try and stop chips
our paint chips easy and is weaker then a lot of other cars
get use to it
even with the clear shield u will still take hits

if u do bother to get it fixed, id go with toyota, just because they probably have great experience with the same kinda of paint

touch it up and get a clear shield, sure u can see the lines at certain distances but when i see them on cars, i just know whomever likes to take care of it
i dont think they are ugly in any way

theres also a spray that can be applied, i cant remember what its called tho

but seriously, just give up
rocks fly, i have little nicks in my clear all over and a horrible chip in the middle of my hood that went right to the aluminum
that one broke my heart lol
i touch it up, but know it will happen again, ull be in the shop all the time if u try and fix everything
ill just wait a few years and after more damage happens
then ill consider getting it repainted
or when that sweet rejuvenating clear coat from the LS is on the table lol

 

[phlabrasca]

Get the clear bra... On the way to chicago some moron threw his car mat out of the window in front of me at 90mph and smacked my front bumper, clear bra saved the paint.

I also had a black IS350 before without a clear bra and that thing was sand blasted in dings and chips after a year of traveling 160 miles back and forth to college 14-15 times.

A word of advice, keep the rims clean. Keep them immaculate and keep sealant on them at all times.

 

[F-Bomb]

Have SGM, no chip yet but mine is a 2008 and I only have 2200 miles on it and don't do much highway driving. I did put the clear bra (Venture film) on the front 1/4 of hood and when I was driving on the highway once a rock hit the front of my hood leaving a dent and cut throught the film. The film protected the paint from getting damaged. I was lucky to have the dent paintless removed. The dent guy was able to get the tool through one of the holes in the bottom front of the hood to the dented area. I then replace the film on the hood. As you can see with the film there is still no guarantee of no damage being done. Also the hood is made of aluminum, so I don't know if this contributes to it being chipped more easily? It will dent if the rock is big enough and if you are doing 80+ mph and the rock is coming at you 80+ mph some damage is going to be done.

 

[Bulls23337]

Yeah you can't fault the dealer or Lexus for that matter. It's a road hazard. Smartest thing to do was to have put on a clear bra before letting your car hit the road. All cars get rock chips. That's a fact. No matter who makes the car. Paint is paint. It's a dried liquid, not a forcefield.

 

[ISF-88]

If your so worried about rock chips then 3M your whole car or park it and don't drive it. 3M will prevent it but it won't be 100% chip proof. I've had a rock pierced right through my 3M before and I ended up peeling it off after cuz it ended up looking like crap. My front bumper/hood has 100+ rock chips from highway and winter driving. It use to bother me and stress me out before so don't let it get to you cuz if u drive it guarranty it'll happen again. After 2 years of daily driving I ended up fixing and repainting it at the bodyshop at an inexpensive price cuz I get side job deals from a friend of mine who works as a painter at a body shop. If I were you wait til u get more damage then fix it. Not worth spending 400 bux just to fix 1 rock chip...

 

[robbys3m3]

I have an obsidian 08 that I've had for almost 2 years, but have only put 12k miles on it. Even so, my hood is pelted with rock chips. I only had the clear bra installed on the bumper b/c I thought the bra line would be too noticable with the lines of our hoods. Man, do I wish I would have gone higher as this paint is not durable at all. Be careful how you wash your F also, as it it way too easy to swirl these cars up washing them incorrectly.

 

[abyars]

Black swirls regardless. Had one black IS350 NEVER again. It was absolutely the most beautiful color ever but damn. Every weekend with the Porter-Cable polishing to keep the swirls down to a minimum and there is a cool product to put in your bucket that will allow all the grit from washing to go to the bottom of the bucket and eliminate it on the mit. Its called Gritguard and I swear by it after that black car!!!!
http://www.gritguard.com/
Andy

 

[dsg03svt]

After my detail work I do a touchless carwash on the weekends when I'm busy with work and an optimum no rinse wash on either wednesday or thursday (my day's off). This to me seems to be a fairly safe wash plan. The touchless uses no brushes or towels at the end. It doesn't come out detailed clean but good enough to get me to the next optimum no rinse wash which gets it very clean. I'm sure there is no way to not get minor scratches on a black car but hopefully this is as safe as possible and will get me through a year before the next polish. Wax every 3 months and use a quick detailer with every optimum no rinse wash.

 

[robbys3m3]

Black swirls regardless. Had one black IS350 NEVER again. It was absolutely the most beautiful color ever but damn. Every weekend with the Porter-Cable polishing to keep the swirls down to a minimum and there is a cool product to put in your bucket that will allow all the grit from washing to go to the bottom of the bucket and eliminate it on the mit. Its called Gritguard and I swear by it after that black car!!!!
http://www.gritguard.com/
Andy

i agree on the grit guard...i love mine.