travelride

In the IS350 / IS350C, do any of you notice a slight color difference between the three pieces that make up the center console? Is that real wood? If it's plastic faux wood there's no excuse for that, but if it's real wood, I can forgive the slight variation I'm seeing. Our cupholder cover is definitely a slightly different color than the gear shift piece.

Are there two colors that are almost identical on the older 2nd generation models? I swear it looks like someone replaced one and it was the wrong color. But, it not THAT far off.

???
Thanks!

ICU2

My cupholder is a bit lighter in colour compared to the rest. It's real woodgrain though - skip to 4 minutes:

twleblanc

My previously owned 2010 IS350C also has a noticeable color variation between the three panels. The ashtray lid and the cup holder lid differ from the gear shift panel. The video states that all three pieces are from the same sheet of veneer. If the pieces all received the same batch of organic lacquer at the same time (and of course remained together all the way through production) then logically they shouldn't vary. Then why do ours?

I have thought about the reasons too: did the cup holder lid get replaced? If so, was the ashtray lid also replaced? Is it a production mismatch? Etc, then it struck me as I was getting out of the car one day... looking back at the interior the cup holder was open. What if the previous owners often left it open? What if they left the ashtray open as well? If they often had a beverage in the car and smoked, or more likely used the cigar lighter socket for a power adapter, then both would be open; protecting both surfaces from the same level of exposure to the sun that the shift panel receives every day.

Given that an organic lacquer is used (Thanks ICU2 for posting that video!) then it would certainly make sense that the difference in appearance is due to uneven "tanning". Yes, I am wildly speculating that organic lacquer is more UV reactive than synthetic and I freely admit I am not an expert in the field. That being said, I am keeping both of those panels closed when parked and whenever practical while driving in the hope that the color shift won't get worse.

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

I don't think so. Look at the edge of the console top and you'll see plain red painted plastic - just no wood photo finish after it curves down - dead giveaway.

getafewliv

Interesting video!

I don't know why, but I always assumed it was fake wood. But I also have the sports package so I never see the wood trim.

Icy350

iTrader: (18)

I dont think its real wood, I took my center console apart fo wrap it, and it was just a plastic cover piece that looked like it had been hydro dipped.