ashlee96

Mine is chipping/peeling too. Have you taken it to the Lexus Dealer? I have read in the forums that it is covered under warranty as long as under 50,000 miles. I am going to call Scottsdale Lexus on Monday to find out if they will replace it under the warranty, my car has 31,000 miles.

chefchoy

A quick little story about 409, we used to use it here (I own a restaurant) and we would clean with it. That stuff is REALLY corrosive and will eat finishes off things. We use a scale that has to be inspected by the federal gov. and they put a metal certification sticker on it to certify that it is weighing properly and verify the serial number, and that 409 ate the paint off the sticker, and i'm sure that it will likely do the same to your part. That being said, I used to drive a Suburban and had sort of the same issue (mine peeled) with a door handle, and I never used 409 to clean with.

C177 Pilot

I quit using 409 some time ago and have switched to Meguires Interior Detailer. I will be at the dealer tomorrow from a nav update and accelerator pedal recall so I will inquire with them.

C177 Pilot

Now for the rest of the story. Went to the dealer this morning for other work and presented my documents to the service writer that showed the driver door armrest chrome was replaced March, 2011. Told him that I found numerous examples of the armrest chrome being a problem nationwide and asked if he knew of a manufacturing problem causing this. He indicated he was aware of the chrome problem but not of the cause. He said he would 'look into' it and get back with me. Later while watching the tech work on the car through the viewing window, I noticed he was working on the passenger door chrome trim so I went back to the service writer and asked him about it. He indicated that they were replacing all four pieces because the chrome problem was not fixed until after mine was first replaced. All four! Wow. If the driver side price of $818 is representative, do the math and realize a lot of retail value replaced here. And there was nothing wrong with the other doors.

Also had the nav update done. $230. I use the nav a lot and did not update in 2011 so I thought it was time. Yes, I know I could have bought a lifetime maps Garmin portable for less but I like the Lexus nav. And considering that they replaced the chrome that I was expecting a tough-luck story on, I feel good about this visit.

ashlee96

Ed

Which Lexus dealer did you go to that replaced your armrest chrome?

Thanks

C177 Pilot

Chandler Lexus.

ashlee96

Hi

Any chance you remember who your service advisor was?

What year and how many miles on your Lexus? Mine is 2010 with 31,500 miles, I hope they will cover it.

C177 Pilot

I tried to answer yesterday but kept getting a warning that the site was infected.

I have a 2010 ES with 33,200 miles when I took it in. I think the service advisor was Josh. My guess is they will cover it.

ashlee96

I took my Lexus 2010 ES 350 (43,000 miles) to Bell Lexus to show them the chrome chipping on the armrests. Not a question was asked, they told me they had to order a part and to bring it back in 2 days. I brought it back and all chrome on the armrest were replaced. Excellent customer service by Bell Lexus! Thank you.

AndyS12

I had this same problem, apparanty there is a TSB for it since a lot of ES owners are complaining over the poor quality of these chrome trimming.

Here was my thread with some additional details and the part/TSB numbers: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...epairable.html

iwork4golf

Best solution and will save a little money. Take the trim pieces, sand all the chrome finish off, clean and spray them with chrome paint. (At least 2 coats and then 3 or 4 coats of clear coat.)
Paint can be purchased most Lowes, Home Depot or Auto parts store.
They will look a 100% better when you do all of them.