ES 250 paint
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 28
Likes: 5
From: NY
ES 250 paint
I have a new ES250 with obsidian (black) paint. I had a bird poop on my roof. I washed it off within a few hours but a white stain remained. Nothing I tried would remove the stain. Soap, wax, WD-40, nothing.
I kept searching for an answer and discovediscover's called clear coat etching caused by the uric acid in the bird poop. Should a new Lexus paint be susceptible to such a thing? I haven't called the dealer because the warranty says not responsible for things caused by environment.
I kept searching for an answer and discovediscover's called clear coat etching caused by the uric acid in the bird poop. Should a new Lexus paint be susceptible to such a thing? I haven't called the dealer because the warranty says not responsible for things caused by environment.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 5,314
Likes: 1,604
From: SE PA
That stuff is toxic to paint. Depending on the quantity and the sun baking it in, your paint is damaged and will have to be refinished. You need a body shop opinion. Happened to my wife's Honda and went right thru the clearcoat and damaged the color. Sounds similar to yours. GOOD LUCK...
Rookie
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 69
Likes: 3
From: Pennsylvania
Congratulations on your new car. It’s an easy fix. Take it to a small private owners body shop he will fix it in about five minutes. Just keep Nano wax on the car or get a fancy coating and you will be fine. Cars do not stay new forever. Dark color paints as you should know show more imperfections. Enjoy the car. Drive it! After a year or two, get all the imperfections fixed at once and drive it more. Stop worrying about white mark and drive the damn car son! 😅
Driver
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 129
Likes: 45
From: Florida
Obsidian black is very soft and is a single stage paint. No clear coat. Lexus has always used single stage paints for black. Some may debate that but do your research before trying any repairs on your own or having a body shop try something. I formally had a 2015 Obsidian black GS350 and had issues with the paint so I did a lot of research on that particular color.
Trending Topics
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,279
Likes: 1,034
From: Illinois
Obsidian black is very soft and is a single stage paint. No clear coat. Lexus has always used single stage paints for black. Some may debate that but do your research before trying any repairs on your own or having a body shop try something. I formally had a 2015 Obsidian black GS350 and had issues with the paint so I did a lot of research on that particular color.
I think that may have changed several years ago when Lexus began using the self-healing clear coat on its cars. When I bought my 2017 obsidian ES, it came with "pre-installed" polishing swirls that were the result of careless dealer preparation of the car. Over time and with the help of the sun, those swirls disappeared. So, I know that my car has the self-healing clear coat.
Also, I had the misfortune of burning through the clear coat when I got a bit too aggressive in trying to remove a scratch. And, sadly, when you burn through the clear coat, you know that that is what you have done.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,279
Likes: 1,034
From: Illinois
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 9,535
Likes: 2,588
I can remove that in less than 5 min with a clay, DA, high finish pad and some Meguiars 105. But that's cause I'm a detailing enthusiast with that kind of stuff laying around. You can do it too though if you'd like to learn.
You can also do it with elbow grease, a microfiber, and some Meguiars ScratchX 2.0. Just more work. but it'll do.
Can you post a pic? I have experience removing all kinds of stuff, fixing defects etc.
You can also do it with elbow grease, a microfiber, and some Meguiars ScratchX 2.0. Just more work. but it'll do.
Can you post a pic? I have experience removing all kinds of stuff, fixing defects etc.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,614
Likes: 3,418
From: NJ
I can remove that in less than 5 min with a clay, DA, high finish pad and some Meguiars 105. But that's cause I'm a detailing enthusiast with that kind of stuff laying around. You can do it too though if you'd like to learn.
You can also do it with elbow grease, a microfiber, and some Meguiars ScratchX 2.0. Just more work. but it'll do.
Can you post a pic? I have experience removing all kinds of stuff, fixing defects etc.
You can also do it with elbow grease, a microfiber, and some Meguiars ScratchX 2.0. Just more work. but it'll do.
Can you post a pic? I have experience removing all kinds of stuff, fixing defects etc.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 28
Likes: 5
From: NY
I did that
I might have been able to get the remaining 5% if I felt comfortable continuing to apply so much heat. I spend winters in the south but I have polishing compound and a polishing tool back north that I'll use to clean up the rest.
I have the same color on my GS and it most definitely has a clear coat. Defects and damage are just more visible because it's a pure black. I just touched up the hood this morning with some Meguiars M105 (compound) and M205 (polish). Might as well pick up the good stuff because you will need it from time to time. A quick hand application with a microfiber cloth should work for this. Always apply some paint protection (sealant/wax) after compound and polish.