HI everyone --
I've been reading on other forums and here about how soft Toyota/Lexus paint is and how easily the clearcoat and paints gets stained. I can attest this is so true!! Appparently, car companies had to go to water based paint because of the EPA and these paints don't hold up like older cars did.

I have worn myself out. I have 2023 ES300H F sport handling in ultra white. Previously, I had a 2013 Lexus LS460 F sport with the same color. The paint on these cars looks absolutely beautiful. Start parking it outside when you have no choice and the nightmare starts -- biggest problem for me here in Texas is that I have to park outside two days a week (I am a nurse and my second job doesn't have a parking garage -- my main job and my condo do) and I get the mustard colored debris on it. They manifest themselves as round circles or lines. I found out that it's bee poop. They dry and easily flake off but unfortunately if I don't catch it fast enough they dry and leave white hazy marks in the paint. Nothing gets them out, except if I get maguires scratch X and buff each spot. Eventually, I can get most of them out but not always, but at least I can usually get them to where they aren't as noticeable --- thank goodness I own white! Even then, if I look at the paint in a parking lot under those big lights, I can always find someone new mark or stain that won't come out!!! And trust me, trying to buff those spots as often as they happen has gotten exhausting. I had to do it on my LS as well.

I wash my car regularly and use quick detailer to keep the paint smooth and use quick wax but it does no good. It seems the paint on these cars is destined to get stained no matter what you do. I can't imagine what people's vehicles look like that don't pay as close attention as I do to my car.

I've come up with a solution though, one of the dealers here in town will put the clear film on my entire hood, roof and trunk. Currently, all I have is the clear bra that you can get from the Lexus dealership to protect it from rock chips. I sure hope this solution works. I think it will as I've gotten the bee poop on the clear bra before and it comes right off, and even when its dry, it doesn't stain the film!! I wish I would have known about this before!

It is too bad they don't make a glass panorama roof for the F sport handling hybrid -- that would eliminate a lot of paint!!

Previous to my LS, I had a 2008 Mercedes E550. It has a glass roof and whenever I'd get the bee poop on the hood or trunk. they'd flake right off with no stain!

Thanks for listening to my frustration. If anyone else has similar issues, let me know. I know I am not the only one!

Jason

 

As a 25+ year detailer, I'm personally not in the ceramic camp, but for your case a ceramic coating will help you with chemical resistance since you park your car out doors. Since you are into detailing, you can do this easily yourself. Search youtube for "DIY DETAIL" (the company) and master guru-40 year industry legend will walk you through their ceramic coating and how easy it is to do at home for $99. You'll want to strip off any waxes and sealants you may have on there now for best results.

 

Have you tried using a clay bar? if you have not I think you will be amazed what they remove. Give it a try.

 

1) Clay is an abrasive and will scratch. There's more modern stuff out there. I started my clay "Career" in year 2002 when almost nobody heard of clay. i was walking around like a superhero with a claybar wowing people. when it was sort of underground! So it's a nice tool but it's so outdated now.
2) Clay will just remove but not prevent the damage OP is experiencing in the first place. he needs chemical resistance & cross-link. Parking outdoors is a tough environment.

 

I started detailing in 1969 and tried almost every new product until about 2010. I have not kept up with advances in the auto detailing field and I have my go to products I stick with.
My son just had his 2023 GR 86 covered with the clear material coating that was a couple grand.

 

Ah, you are talking about the clear film stuff? That's what I am going to put on my car.

It's all just a shame. A car should be able to be outside a couple of days a week --- and not get damaged!

 

Clay bar itself has no abrasive properties what scratches is the contaminates that get trapped in the clay.
I don't understand why so many people take the time to do an entire paint correction routine then not seal in their work with ceramic or better yet PPF.

 

Before going to the dealership for PPF you should check with some local independent shops and see what products they offer and what their cost is vs. the dealership. You'd probably get better PPF at a lower cost. The dealerships normally contract this work out to a local shop anyway.

 

Clay is absolutely an abrasive. Doesn't matter if it's because of the contaminants in the clay or the clay itself. The end result is the clay ends up as an abrasive. If you didn't need to clay your paint then by definition it doesn't have any contaminants and your clay won't be an abrasive.

I follow the top echelons of the detailing community and clay is pretty much out -- snake oil almost... almost. I have clay in my garage but it will probably never see the light of day again. A last resort. just a half a year ago I would've recommended clay. But no more, but for the last resort/worst case scenarios. Is clay effective? yes. but it's like taking a sledge hammer to your paint. in the same way a sledge hammer is effective at killing a fly. not needed 99% of the time.

What do I use for contaminants? I use a perforated synthetic decontamination towel. I combine it with chemical decon and that chemical acts as a lube. This is the 2023 way for scratch-free decon. Clay will scratch the living S out of your clear coat as there's nowhere for the contaminants to go. and it's sticky. May as well drag a rock across your paint. especially if it's soft as the OP claims his is. And that's fine if you're going to polish next but not recommended for a new car. unnecessary -- you'll damage your new paint. always go with less invasive/less severe first. Truly modern advancements in detailing came out about 20-25 years ago. And new new methods and chemicals started getting good a few years ago. but as with anything theres still old methods/old ways being regurgitated. one of those is clay.

Also ceramic really is for those set it and forget it or "park outdoor" types. My car is garaged and I detail often, so I purposely choose to NOT go ceramic. I have a very specific targeted detailing goal other than to just "use ceramic." I prioritize gloss + frequency.

Good detailing is nuanced, targeted, thoughtful, and up to date (modern). It's always evolving. I try to always check in for the newest up to date methods. No myths/old wives tails.

As for PPF. unnecessary unless you're protecting a prized ferrari. Not my cup of tea to be outside detailing a thick sheet of plastic.

I always prefer bare professional sealed un-ceramic'd paint.

 

Basically the golden rule of detailing (and most things in life) is do more with less. The more gentle and less steps, and less money spent, the better. Especially when you can achieve a supreme result!

 

My ES is Ultra White as well and been parked outside for five years now - no Texas sun but winters and summers in northeast. I wash it every week, wax every few weeks and occasionally use a sealant - paint still looks great. ScratchX when there's a scuff or stubborn stain. Low abrasive product.

 

Of course it matters. Used correctly clay does not scratch but you have to know what you're doing.
Thanks for acknowledging the clay itself is not abrasive.

This is why I prefer a clay towel it can be frequently washed. It's not as effective but for most jobs it works great. Clay bar is great for glass.
Sorry but this is nonsense.
Sealed with what?

 

My problem with PPF is I can see it and it makes a car look cheap.

Inhave to park outside a lot under trees in Texas and pecan tree tassels, crepe myrtles, and those pooping aphids are a hassle.

Did DIY ceramic last year and due for another treatment.

anyways detailing discussions on the internet always seem to devolve into “my way is the best, I’m only trying to help, but if you don’t care about your car then feel free to ignore my advice”.

 

How about an inexpensive car cover to use on those days of the week the car is out in the open. Toss it on when you arrive and park---pop it off when you leave. Maybe once or twice a week you can hose it down just to get the worst of the stuff off. That may be a lost easier on your car and on your polishing arm as well as on your budget.

 

That's a good way to scratch the car. The cover will become dirty on one side fairly quickly and you'll be dragging that across the paint.