I don't know what's different, but the Diamond White Pearl on my 95 ES seems way tougher and more resilient than the Midnight Pine Pearl on my 01 GS. The GS paint seems softer and chips/scratches easier.

 

All automotive paints from all manufacturers chip just as easily now thanks to the water borne paints that they have been using for the past 6 years.

 

I'd also attribute that to the color. You might not see the scratches that form on the ES as easily as you can on the GS.

IMO, stay away from whatever the Germans are using. Mercedes is using something called Ceramiclear on top of their base coats, and it's a PAIN IN THE *** to polish. The idea is that the clear coat is so hard that it will resist nicks and scratches. Problem is, if you do get a scratch and need to remove it, you'll likely never be able to unless you're properly educated in the use of high speed polishers and the correct compounds. Not something your typical Wal-Mart wax can fix.

How would one go about ordering factory Lexus paint if it's no longer being used? Would you order it through Lexus or have your painter color match it and form his own mix?

 

Ferrari always used to use Glasurit. Glasurit (BASF) is the best I know of, followed by Sikkens (Akzo Nobel) and PPG. Dupont is probably worse due to US government regulations. (but PPG is under the same regs). R-M Diamont is sort of a poor man's version of Glasurit.

I had portions of my '88 Supra (still have it) done in Sikkens 15 years ago. That paint is in better shape right now than the factory paint.

As O.L.T. was pointing out, thin vs. thick has much more to do with the painter and the paint job than the paint itself. How many coats, sanding process, clearcoat layers, etc. It's a you-get-what-you-pay-for situation, of course.

 

Yeah that's what my bro meant to say (he was logged into my acct and posted) He works for a body shop that services high-end cars. So he knows pretty much about paint, bodywork and stuff like that

 

2 or 3-stage? Depends on what you mean by the term. Just about all new vehicles today.....including Lexus.......have one or 2 layers of clearcoat alone on top, not counting the color layers underneath.

 

The body shop I go to uses Sikkens and I have been really pleased with it. I know the painter did a great job but the paint itself seems to hold up really well against rock chips and such, compared to the stock paint

 

where do you go Rich? I'm due for a hood and front bumper paint soon.