I've been blessed enough to own one....first Lexus, definitely won't be the last. I'm a Ford guy, have a couple of Mustangs, '84 and '87.

So anyhow, about this Black Diamond.....pretty uncommon, no? It's a nice car, lots of cool stuff, ride is great, acceptable power, etc.

My question is this....do the black diamond cars have some gray or silver patterned paint on the hood, roof, and trunk lid? None of the cars I looked at on google have this, but mine does. It's also the only place (hood) where the clear is peeling.

I took some pics when I got off work, but they suck, so I'll wait till daylight and get some better ones to show here.

I also read that were about 3,450 of the Black Diamond cars built...anyone confirm? Thanks, Beau

 

The only visual differences on the outside are different wheels and badges on the front fenders, so no patterned paint

 

From Wikipedia:
"Lexus also offered an exclusive ES 330 "Black Diamond Edition" in 2005, featuring black wood trim, iridescent Black Diamond paint, and a set of Tumi luggage."

So I'm guessing your car has a special iridescent/pearlescent/holographic paint. Judging by the pictures I see of Black Diamond ES330s, which have seemingly normal black paint, the gray "pattern" you see in your paint is likely just a really bad case of clear coat failure.

As always, pictures will help.

 

No, the gray or silver is definitely paint, I'll try to link a couple of pics via photobucket.

The silver painted area is the only place that the clear is coming off. Likely some hack job. You can see on the trunk where the striping isn't "straight", for lack of better wording.

I also notice that the Black Diamond cars were MY 2005, however mine is titled as an '06. 10th VIN sequence confirms...weird.

 

What the...

I get doing what you want because it's your car, but why in the world did the previous owner do this???
Definitely agree that it's a hack-job since the clear isn't adhering.


Interesting on the 2005/2006 business. I see a lot of 2006 Black Diamonds when I search.
Searching confirms that Black Diamond Edition is just some pearlescent black paint with the extra cosmetic touches, and NOT that strange I-kinda-smeared-paint-with-my-hands marbling.

 

Yeah, I'm not a fan of the silver....crap, either, but then, what choice do I have? I can't afford to have it repainted, and there's a small dent and a spot of rust directly below the passenger tail light. I also had to replace a wheel, as it had some good curb rash...it's now the spare. The replacement isn't quite as dark as the stock wheel, but unless you look at them close, you can't see it's off color. It's a pretty darn good car, though my wife is a truck/SUV kinda gal. Myself, I want to get her another Explorer or possibly a Navigator, and I'll drive the comfy Lexus.


Thanks for the words guys, means a lot. This weekend I plan to do an oil change and lube/service the front. There's a squeak when the suspension compresses up front....betting a strut is starting to lose it's goodies. Probably going to need ball joints before the year is out, and I also want to get a new timing belt on it, and get another key made and programmed. $ and time. Both of which are a rare commodity for me lately. Guess that's the price I pay, 55-60 hour work weeks and having two other project cars too LOL.