gs4to4

The issue was brought up before a few times. Just wondering if anyone found a cure yet.
I'm talking about the lower plastic panels on the doors and the side skirts.
A detailer suggested a cleaner that contains bleach will help but I'm afraid to try this on my car.
Thanks

zmatrix

I believe this was a TSB that dealerships fixed. AFAIK, members have been able to get theirs repainted free of charge from their dealers.

PHML

iTrader: (33)

Must be from all them dang East Coast winter road salts.

gs4to4

Thanks for the replies.
I asked the dealer and lexus corporate but since my car has 100,000 miles on it, I didn't even get a 50% off parts that I requested as a counter offer.
The salt isn't the cause of it, I think its a chemical reaction that occurs over time within the paint that causes the fading. I've seen this problem on many cars in Florida as well.

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

Mine is also yellowing just a liiiiitle bit and were here in Cali. It's noticeable when comparing to the doors, but not an eyesore. Haven't found a cure either.

VeilSideGS3

iTrader: (4)

you could opt to do what I did...just repaint the sides :P....the yellowish sides suck!!

gs4to4

Hey VeilsidGS3:

I wanted to repaint the sides but the bodyshop warned me Pearl White is tough to match and then the front and rear bumpers (which are just a tiny bit faded) would stand out.
Then I asked him how much to repaint all the sides, lowers, and the bumpers and he said to "do it right" it would cost:$1200 PLUS about $300 to replace the weatherstrips on the edges of the doors and I will need new clips, etc.. So to pay $1500 or more for bodywork when my car doesn't even have a single scratch on it isn't worth it. And we all know what "about a week" means from a bodyshop!
Also, there's no guarantee the panels won't start fading again in as little as 1 year.
There's gotta be another way. Isn't there a detailer's trick or some special compound that can help whiten these? I'm willing to take a chance even if there's a risk the paint will be damaged. Please help before I start putting Crest Whitestrips all over my car...

SeattleGS400

iTrader: (1)

On a simlar note, I had a '00 Acura TL in white diamond pearl, and it, too, had eventual discoloration of the front and rear bumpers, as well as the side skirts. I talked w/ a few body shops, and they mentioned that the OEM paint that was used was a EPA-mandated safer water-based paint. What they've noticed that over time is the paint THAT IS IN CONTACT WITH PLASTIC PARTS (which have plasticizers) gets oxidized from UV exposure, causing the discoloration. They did mention that if they were to repaint it, it would not fade as they'd use a more durable (albeit, a non-waterbased) formulation.

See a pic of my previous Acura TL--see how the front and rear bumpers (plastic parts) are a shade darker than the rest of the car? Also, the side skirts are a bit darker as well. The part of the side skirt that does not get exposed to the sun (i.e. parts that are recessed and under the door) are the original lighter OEM color.

As for things I've tried were to use a claybar and some paint polishes, and it helped shine up the car a bit, which reduced the apparent yellowing. But I think the yellowing is deep inside the paint (i.e. the whole paint layer), and short of getting it all repainted, there's not much you can do--it bothered me enough to sell off the TL instead of fussing with repainting it.

Looks like Toyota/Lexus used a similar paint formulation as my previous '00 Acura TL, and causing your side panels to darken. My sister's '99 WDP GS400 has the same discoloration issue--although not as bad, as she keeps her car inside a garage all of the time.

GS400kid

My frt bumper turned to yellow pretty bad too, u can tell from a good distance
since my car got backed into the trunk, i will have the front repaint too
i am taking it to Brooke's body shop, suppose they r good, cuz they r one of the six body shop that can work on Audi A8. Even they told me Pearl white is one of the hardest color to match, i will take some pics after its fixed
also last thursday when i sent there all i saw there was a GT2, boxter, 2 A8, one E55, Ferrari 360. so i hope they better be good

VeilSideGS3

iTrader: (4)

YEa...pearl white is a B&^%$ to match....i just had the lower sides repainted all together when I had the veilside side skirts painted....if you are planning on putting a body kit I would recommend doing it all at once..that way itll blend in nicer...