GS - 4th Gen (2013-2020) Discussion about the 2013 and up GS models

Starfire Pearl and Rock Chips

Old 09-24-13, 11:31 PM
  #16  
majin ssj
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This is not a Lexus "issue". Every single car I've ever owned has had rock chips in the front bumper. I always laugh when people complain about "soft" paint. Throw a rock at any car at 80 mph and I guarantee the paint will chip....
Old 09-25-13, 12:49 AM
  #17  
jkeifer3
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Originally Posted by Stew4HD
I find it hard to justify the cost of clear bra when I am leasing..
Excellent point!
Old 09-25-13, 05:54 AM
  #18  
PTmobile
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Originally Posted by Igor911
Those clear bra's only hold up so long... I had a 2005 G35 coupe with a 3M clear bra on it that yellow'd after about 2 years.

Maybe now they've improved the technology and materials?
The films are GREATLY improved since 2005. If you go with Xpel Ultimate or Suntek you will not have to worry about yellowing, which is covered under warranty. By the way 3M is a really poor quality film.
Old 09-26-13, 12:41 PM
  #19  
SW17LS
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Now that I have the clear bra, it will be a must have on every new car I buy. Only thing is I wish I had done the whole hood and fenders, I have a couple small rock chips higher up on the hood. Next car I will.

No marks in the clear bra.
Old 09-26-13, 01:34 PM
  #20  
djpeakSD
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Originally Posted by MichaelPea
That just sucks. I debated a clear bra a year ago for my GS and decided to get it. Evidently, it was money we'll spent. Peculiar thing though, my RX450 is Starfire and there isn't a single chip on the car. Perhaps it's the shape of the GS or it's profile on the road.
I think the fact that the RX is higher up has a lot to do with this.
Old 09-26-13, 03:43 PM
  #21  
Nexson
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Originally Posted by djpeakSD
I think the fact that the RX is higher up has a lot to do with this.
ya think? lol
Old 09-26-13, 05:33 PM
  #22  
Dharp65
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My front end is chipped up too. The first chip happened the day I bought it, on the way home from the dealership.
Old 09-27-13, 05:08 AM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by Nexson
ya think? lol
Here's what I think. You're both right, the profile of the vehicle on the road helps to reduce the chipping. However, it also has a farily large flat bumper that's not really much further from the road than my GS's bumper. My last GS had stone chips all across the bumper and about three quarters of the way up the hood. It was dark blue and looked like a starry night because of all the chips. But zero chips on the RX? I'm at something of a loss to explain zero. Fewer is absolutely explainable but zero? Not so much.....
Old 09-30-13, 08:21 PM
  #24  
Siamese
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Originally Posted by Igor911
Those clear bra's only hold up so long... I had a 2005 G35 coupe with a 3M clear bra on it that yellow'd after about 2 years.

Maybe now they've improved the technology and materials?


Indeed, 3M tech has dealt with that now.
Old 09-30-13, 09:03 PM
  #25  
mshmsh
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I own a Starfire Pearl too and have installed full clear bra and full headlight protection then after a month I added ClearPlex windshield protection from " protective film solutions'' cost me $400 but I found the material online for $100 and you do the installation yourself here is the link http://www.lamin-x.com/Glass-Protection-Film-s/1213.htm Same exact material good luck and you need to protect this beauty
Old 10-01-13, 05:03 PM
  #26  
caha14
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I've had clear bras on every car since 2001, different brands, installers, etc. Most of them fared well, but inevitably, I've had yellowing, water spotting, dulling and even a "projectile" that lifted the bra where it hit on the hood of our last Honda.

On each and every occasion, the warranty covered replacement. Better yet, in the case where the bra suffered damage, the paint underneath was virtually untouched.

The only car I've had in the last 10 years without a clear bra is my LS. Guess what's going on it when it comes out of the body shop (front is being repainted due to freak accident)...
Old 10-01-13, 06:42 PM
  #27  
dreamG
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If you drive on the highway routinely, rock chips are inevitable. I have more chips on my '13 SP GS more than any other previous cars due to my daily high speed driving on the freeway.
Old 10-12-14, 12:39 AM
  #28  
TonyCarson
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Sorry to resurrect a dead thread, but we just purchased a SP GS 350 F sport. It had a rock chip on front bumper, nothing too bad...but i was thinking about a clear bra...

I just am not sure, I really love how the paint shines and looks and doesn't a clear bra kind of hide the depth and look...
Old 10-12-14, 06:35 AM
  #29  
coach1
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Bra....or....change your driving habits. Follow too close it is inevitable.
Old 10-12-14, 06:42 AM
  #30  
TonyCarson
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Originally Posted by coach1
Bra....or....change your driving habits. Follow too close it is inevitable.
True that, I told my wife to stay in the front of traffic whenever possible. Also to stay in opposite lane of semi/trucks.

If this GS-F is truly coming out we will be selling it to upgrade anyways! :P

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