LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006) Discussion topics related to the flagship Lexus LS430

Care for wood trim?

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Old 12-19-11, 05:46 PM
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cyclehead
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Default Care for wood trim?

What should I use to clean and polish the wood trim in UL? Scouring the archives shows some discussions about whether the trim is made of wood or varnish. Everyone seems to (finally) agree that the trim is wood, with a heavy coat of polyurethane varnish. So my question - what's best to maintain and polish the polyurethane? Do I put 303 protectant on it - because it's basically a plastic? Or do I wax it with automotive wax like it says in the archives? Or do I apply tung oil - even though that's for wood, and the wood is buried beneath a thick coating of polyurethane? My steering wheel is already cracked/crazed on top from sun/UV damage. I'd like to prevent that from happening to the rest of the wood. Got suggestions?
Old 12-19-11, 05:58 PM
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Lust4Lexus
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Use a mild abrasive auto paint polish to remove spiderwebbing, then put a sealant like zaino on it. To keep the beuatiful finish hit it wih brillianize and a microfiber cloth every so often.
Old 12-19-11, 07:25 PM
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cyclehead
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I'm not familiar with Zaino products. I may give them a try. Plastic polish makes sense for the polyurethane. Thanks for tips
Old 12-19-11, 07:46 PM
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jbraswell
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I've had good luck with Mothers products.
This VLR stuff is good: http://www.mothers.com/02_products/06524.html
Old 12-20-11, 09:31 AM
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denIS200
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Cleaner Fluid Regular and Wood polish from Swissvax


Denis.
Old 12-20-11, 09:43 AM
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jayclapp
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Back in '92 I called Lexus about the wood in my SC400. They told me it was finished with a polyurethane varnish and to just use the same wax that I used for the exterior of the car. That worked for me, and the wood in that car still looks like its new.

Last edited by jayclapp; 12-20-11 at 09:57 AM.
Old 12-20-11, 01:18 PM
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Jabberwock
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Yep its definitely not something you would treat as a wood product given the thick coat of plastic that's on top of it.
Old 12-20-11, 03:16 PM
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mafpolo
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Default Wax and then maintain it

I wax mine with Zymol about twice a year (each time I do a full detail). In between, whenever I wash, I spray some liquid carnauba (any good brand) onto a microfibre cloth, and wipe the wood.

I have the ultra with the rosewood on it.
Old 12-22-11, 07:15 PM
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warminwisc
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This stuffs wood?
Old 12-22-11, 07:21 PM
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caddyowner
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Originally Posted by warminwisc
This stuffs wood?
Watch it, or I'll start asking about tranny fluid changes. LOL
Old 12-22-11, 07:26 PM
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AlexusAnja
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My 99 rx I use a damp cloth... sits ungaraged and it's still smooth... don't worry too much about it.
Old 12-23-11, 06:52 PM
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warminwisc
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Are Primacies the best? LOL
Old 12-24-11, 06:28 AM
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99LSBrad
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What kind of oil should I use?

:-)

Happy Holidays all!
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