Clearcoat?
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Driver School Candidate
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Clearcoat?
Need help. I have a black GS4,(1998) Can anyone tell me if the paint has a clearcoat. Trying to figure out if I need a clearcoat polish or non- clearcoat polish. Please help, Thanks
Pole Position
Joined: May 2001
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From: nyc,ny
hi guys.
hey gs4sho, call the lexus 800#.give them your VIN # and they will tell you whether it is or not.If you don't have the # rub some polish.(use a fair amount of pressure in an out of the way area) if the colour comes of on the cloth, then it is not clear coat.
clive
ps the # is 1800-25-lexus
hey gs4sho, call the lexus 800#.give them your VIN # and they will tell you whether it is or not.If you don't have the # rub some polish.(use a fair amount of pressure in an out of the way area) if the colour comes of on the cloth, then it is not clear coat.
clive
ps the # is 1800-25-lexus
Last edited by clivej; Mar 15, 2002 at 08:10 PM.
Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: KC
I really dont think mine has one, ill have to call and see, all i know is have the WORST SWIRL MARKS out of any car ive ever seen, im ashamed to show my car off in the sun, only shade for me
how much you think a clearcoat is for my car, or an "extra clearcoat" ?
ive heard that if you buff and polish the entire car then put the clearcoat on it will give you the glazed wet look
how much you think a clearcoat is for my car, or an "extra clearcoat" ?ive heard that if you buff and polish the entire car then put the clearcoat on it will give you the glazed wet look
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: California
When you wax or apply glaze to your car's paint do you get an applicator full of paint. If you don't . . . . you have a clear coat. I tend to think that all Lexus' are clear coated (factory) no matter what the color.
Another test is when bird droppings (eg. bird ****) etch themselves into your hood or roof. Are you able to remove them by applying cleaner/glaze/compound? Usually not . . . . I suspect that's because the dropping 'etched' into the clear coat and paint layer. The cleaner just works the top surface (eg. clear coat) unless you've removed the clear coat by agressive cleaning.
Another test is when bird droppings (eg. bird ****) etch themselves into your hood or roof. Are you able to remove them by applying cleaner/glaze/compound? Usually not . . . . I suspect that's because the dropping 'etched' into the clear coat and paint layer. The cleaner just works the top surface (eg. clear coat) unless you've removed the clear coat by agressive cleaning.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Florida
Industry standard nowadays
All Lexus' cars are clearcoated. In fact, even new/ late model Hundai's are. I buffed out a white Accent ( I'm a pro detailer) last week and it was urethane clearcoated.
You would have a hard time finding ANY car made in the last 6 -8 years that wasn't basecoat/clearcoat. MOST luxury vehicles have been now since the Mid 80's, as my 1984 Lincoln Mark VII was silver with clearcoat way back then. Cheers.
DAN H
You would have a hard time finding ANY car made in the last 6 -8 years that wasn't basecoat/clearcoat. MOST luxury vehicles have been now since the Mid 80's, as my 1984 Lincoln Mark VII was silver with clearcoat way back then. Cheers.
DAN H
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Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: California
Thanks Guitarman for the authoritative response. Being 'in the business' you should know.
Sometimes when reading the various threads/responses that these forums yield . . . "I see dumb people'. No pun intended.
Sometimes when reading the various threads/responses that these forums yield . . . "I see dumb people'. No pun intended.
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Driver School Candidate
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From: MD
I just buffed out my "new" black 98 GS400 (with a gazillion swirl marks). The paint is definitely NOT clearcoated. The buffing pad was black all day long, even after repeated cleanings...
My 94 Supra TT is not clearcoated either.
One interesting point I noted was that it "appears" that the bumpers on my GS do have a clearcoat on them (maybe they were resprayed? Or maybe the bumper material is black as well?) I have not spent anytime trying to investigate, given it took me about 5 hours to do this job and I was too tired to worry about it when I got to the bumpers...
My 94 Supra TT is not clearcoated either.
One interesting point I noted was that it "appears" that the bumpers on my GS do have a clearcoat on them (maybe they were resprayed? Or maybe the bumper material is black as well?) I have not spent anytime trying to investigate, given it took me about 5 hours to do this job and I was too tired to worry about it when I got to the bumpers...
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Florida
We'll know for sure real soon...
Hopefully. I may have to eat my hat guys, lol.
I emailed a guy that's a master paint technician/teacher with background in BASF Lexus body shop painting/ training etc. So I hope to let you know what he says real soon. In the meantime, i'll go out on a limb and say that some of your cars MAY have had paint work. Gulp...I hope my hat tastes good if not. LOL
It would SERIOUSLY shock me if Lexus used single stage paint on the black cars, especially when a $10,000 Ford focus has clearcoat. Stay tuned.
I emailed a guy that's a master paint technician/teacher with background in BASF Lexus body shop painting/ training etc. So I hope to let you know what he says real soon. In the meantime, i'll go out on a limb and say that some of your cars MAY have had paint work. Gulp...I hope my hat tastes good if not. LOL
It would SERIOUSLY shock me if Lexus used single stage paint on the black cars, especially when a $10,000 Ford focus has clearcoat. Stay tuned.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Florida
Thanks
Hat eating always tastes better when you're not alone.
Another possibility I asked him about in my email; that the clear is a "tinted" clear or tri-coat system tinted top layer. Custom paint shops do this, and it's within the realm of possibility for Lexus too.
If not-I have some mayo that would be a nice condiment for my baseball cap.
Another possibility I asked him about in my email; that the clear is a "tinted" clear or tri-coat system tinted top layer. Custom paint shops do this, and it's within the realm of possibility for Lexus too.
If not-I have some mayo that would be a nice condiment for my baseball cap.