Seattle ES300

I recently decided to repaint the rear bumper of my '95 ES300. I didn't actually get an estimate but assumed it would be several hundred dollars to repaint.

I bought the custom spray cans from PaintScratch.com and also bought a small random orbital sander with some fine grit paper. The results look really good in the picture but up close you can see a couple of minor imperfections. All in all, I'm pretty happy with the results and the color match was perfect. Maybe I'll used the money I saved to buy her a strut bar.

Seattle ES300

Finished:

meZoom!

i think you did a good job...one of the best diy's i have seen in a while. what was wrong w/ it before? and yes, DO get a strut bar to tie her ends together!!

njes300

How much did it cost you ? looks good

Nabeel

That's pretty cool man. Excellent considering the medium you worked with. I know of a guy from another board who painted his entire car like that after it was keyed all over and broken into. I've found beige to be a somewhat hard color to match, based on previous experience from an accident w/ a beige car. So its really good that yours patched perfectly. So yeah, go buy the STB and eliminate that unsightly body roll .

lexusk8

Hey Seattle, that's one excellent paint job you did on your bumper, and it must feel real good to have saved hundreds of $$$ from having a dealership to do the job Just wondering, how many coatings of base paint did you apply on the bumper?

My '96 has a few noticeable scuffs and scratches on the left corner of my rear bumper, as a result of living in Boston for 6 years and dealing with too many parallel parking incidents I'll definitely consider doing a DIY job on the bumper come springtime.

mcelligott

Nice work man! I wish I knew more about painting so I could touch up my ES in a few spots.

Seattle ES300

Hmm, I'd say I put about 6 coats of paint (all very thin) and about the same number of clearcoat layers. The color of the paint doesn't really come out until you apply the clearcoat. Make sure you have the paint shop add FLEX if you're painting a flexible bumper.

lexusk8

So you're saying you put on 6 coats of base paint, followed by the same number of clearcoat layers (instead of base to clear to base to clear, etc.)? Sorry to ask more questions about your paint job, but this sounds like a DIY job where you CANNOT afford to screw up.

TexasES300

I think he mean 6 paint, then 6 clear coat...just common sense

Steve Barnes

Looks a good job done!

LS4fun

Did you paint this outside? I would be too afraid that there is too much crap floating aroung...

TigerLily

Hi,

We bought an ES 300 in 98 (it is an off-lease '96 model). It is black. We have no idea what the original "technical" color would be. Needless to say it has several scratches (we live in NYC). I would really like to touch it up. Is there a way to find out what color paint it needs? Also, for those of us new to the detailing thing, can anyone explain "clear coat?"

Thanks,
Anne

lexusk8

Hello Anne again

All black Lexus vehicles have the paint color code 202 and is called Black Onyx. That's been the standard for Lexus. You can walk into the parts counter of your Lexus dealership and ask for a bottle of Black Onyx touch-up paint. It may cost around $5-$6, and this touch-up paint has a brush applicant (just like in nail polishes).

Clearcoat is a detailing term used to specify the transparent layer applied on top of the basecoat paint (in this case, it would be your black body paint). The purpose of clearcoat is to protect the paint from UV rays and make the paint shine. Keep in mind, though, that for your '96 black ES, NO clearcoat was applied to that vehicle with that color. In other words, you do not have to worry about purchasing clearcoat when touching up your ES. From my understanding, all or most black Lexus vehicles do not have clearcoat from the factory until the 2001 year model.

Hope this info helps out

TigerLily

I really appreciate it! I got the paint, 202 just as you said. As soon as it stops raining, I am painting that thing. There will still be a dent, but at least it won't rust.

You are just wonderful. Thanks!

TigerLily