3ES: My 99 ES300 facelift about to start
09-15-09, 01:48 PM
#17
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I used Quality Transmission & Auto repair in Midland, MI.
I drove around to just about every auto repair shop in the area and asked them a lot of questions. This shop had a mature work staff that answered all my questions and notice when I threw in a BS question that didn't make any sense. They went above and beyond what I asked them to do and only charged me for what they quoted.
I drove around to just about every auto repair shop in the area and asked them a lot of questions. This shop had a mature work staff that answered all my questions and notice when I threw in a BS question that didn't make any sense. They went above and beyond what I asked them to do and only charged me for what they quoted.
09-15-09, 05:06 PM
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Midland is a little far for me, I hoped I would get lucky. I found one in Ann Arbor I wanna check out, hopefully they aren't too expensive. Running out of time before winter and i'm getting sick of looking at these boxes.
09-17-09, 03:15 PM
#20
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The car is almost done being painted! The last batch was baking as I left. It looks awesome! tomorrow they are going to wet sand it and buff it all out. I'll be picking it up after work.
09-19-09, 09:07 AM
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The car is done for the moment. The Paint looks great! They still want me to bring the car back and do a couple little touchup areas. I'll take better pictures with my DSLR after the car gets detailed next week. Other small updates will be complete next week as well. New Lexus black carpet floor mats have already shipped and the windows will be tinted front, back and rear. I'm looking for new front headlights. Anyone have any recommendations with pictures?
Last edited by gawillet; 09-19-09 at 08:09 PM.
09-19-09, 12:53 PM
#24
Props to you for coming through with it all! 
By the way, why are you waxing as early as next week? You should let the paint cure properly for min. of 30 days before you should start washing it, let alone waxing the car...
Regardless, this is one nice ES300.
Agreed, the grill you could get away with, but the 00-01 bumper/fogs FTW! *and tail lights
Ummm, i see a grey interior...
By the way, why are you waxing as early as next week? You should let the paint cure properly for min. of 30 days before you should start washing it, let alone waxing the car...
Regardless, this is one nice ES300.
Ummm, i see a grey interior...
09-19-09, 08:32 PM
#26
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Thanks for the comments.
Sorry, I shouldn't have said wax, it’s a non-wax or non-silicone type polish/glaze that doesn't stop the curing process of the paint. It takes out any swirl marks and makes the black look even richer. It also removes any compound used by the paint shop that was missed
I was debating getting a new 01 bumper because the current one had a crack in it. They patched it up so the crack is gone but they warned me that over time the crack might reappear. The paint shop said they will only charge me $100 to paint a new bumper and install it if I decide to go that route.
With black paint the headlights look very yellow. Anyone have opinions on headlights?
I’m also trying to figure out the interior lighting with LED thread. The result is awesome but the thread is kind of confusing. I don’t know exactly what I need to buy.
Sorry, I shouldn't have said wax, it’s a non-wax or non-silicone type polish/glaze that doesn't stop the curing process of the paint. It takes out any swirl marks and makes the black look even richer. It also removes any compound used by the paint shop that was missed
I was debating getting a new 01 bumper because the current one had a crack in it. They patched it up so the crack is gone but they warned me that over time the crack might reappear. The paint shop said they will only charge me $100 to paint a new bumper and install it if I decide to go that route.
With black paint the headlights look very yellow. Anyone have opinions on headlights?
I’m also trying to figure out the interior lighting with LED thread. The result is awesome but the thread is kind of confusing. I don’t know exactly what I need to buy.
09-20-09, 10:18 AM
#28
Thanks for the comments.
Sorry, I shouldn't have said wax, it’s a non-wax or non-silicone type polish/glaze that doesn't stop the curing process of the paint. It takes out any swirl marks and makes the black look even richer. It also removes any compound used by the paint shop that was missed
I was debating getting a new 01 bumper because the current one had a crack in it. They patched it up so the crack is gone but they warned me that over time the crack might reappear. The paint shop said they will only charge me $100 to paint a new bumper and install it if I decide to go that route.
With black paint the headlights look very yellow. Anyone have opinions on headlights?
I’m also trying to figure out the interior lighting with LED thread. The result is awesome but the thread is kind of confusing. I don’t know exactly what I need to buy.
Sorry, I shouldn't have said wax, it’s a non-wax or non-silicone type polish/glaze that doesn't stop the curing process of the paint. It takes out any swirl marks and makes the black look even richer. It also removes any compound used by the paint shop that was missed
I was debating getting a new 01 bumper because the current one had a crack in it. They patched it up so the crack is gone but they warned me that over time the crack might reappear. The paint shop said they will only charge me $100 to paint a new bumper and install it if I decide to go that route.
With black paint the headlights look very yellow. Anyone have opinions on headlights?
I’m also trying to figure out the interior lighting with LED thread. The result is awesome but the thread is kind of confusing. I don’t know exactly what I need to buy.
My little project!
09-21-09, 04:27 AM
#29
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The headlights look pretty clear in the pics. But pics can be deceiving. Use wet sand paper to sand off the yellowness on the headlights, then use scratchx to remove the scratches made from the sand paper, and then plastx to polish off the lens...
Should look solid after that process, I did it to mine, and then look damn near brand new!
Should look solid after that process, I did it to mine, and then look damn near brand new!
