How's your paint doing??
Rookie
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 61
Likes: 1
From: PA
personaly, if its a daily driver, i find no need to fuss over a "perfect" paint.
my 15 year old car does get polished and waxed, but i try not to get **** about it, because it will get scratched and dinged more than it already is.
my 15 year old car does get polished and waxed, but i try not to get **** about it, because it will get scratched and dinged more than it already is.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 14
From: Texas
Yeah, EPA regulations in different countries are literally ruining car paint jobs. Mercedes has it right with their ceramic paints, but it comes at a steep cost which they don't mind passing on to you. I really wish Lexus would step up their game with regard to paints though, having bird crap etch the paint after sitting overnight is ridiculous.
Driver
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 110
Likes: 10
From: GA
Its good to hear Im not the only one who is having paint concerns. This is my first black car ever so I was shocked at how unforgiving this color is. I guess I have been spoiled by the previous color Matador red. I have found a decent spray on wax I use after every wash which keeps the swirl effect down. Now I have to find a way to reduce my door dings and chips.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
From: CA
an update since my original post. I'm glad I installed the clear bra or invisible mask or whatever you want to call it. I got the 3m scotchguard. I bought the whole front kit from invisible mask.com. It was my first time install. I did everything pretty good, but the front bumper took me 5 hrs..
Just for the bumper! It's not 100% perfect, more like 85%. There are a few air bubbles here and there, misaligned areas and corner wrinkles, but you won't see it unless you walk up to the car. For the added protection, I don't mind those installation defects.
I took my car in to the dealership for the first couple of maintenance appointments and those freaks put in more scratches than I did. I won't take it back to them again. After they wash it, I see tons of swirl marks and fine scratches here and there. O well...at least I'm not alone...haha
Just for the bumper! It's not 100% perfect, more like 85%. There are a few air bubbles here and there, misaligned areas and corner wrinkles, but you won't see it unless you walk up to the car. For the added protection, I don't mind those installation defects. I took my car in to the dealership for the first couple of maintenance appointments and those freaks put in more scratches than I did. I won't take it back to them again. After they wash it, I see tons of swirl marks and fine scratches here and there. O well...at least I'm not alone...haha
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 869
Likes: 6
From: CA
Oh man! All that work and you let the dealer wash it?! 
an update since my original post. I'm glad I installed the clear bra or invisible mask or whatever you want to call it. I got the 3m scotchguard. I bought the whole front kit from invisible mask.com. It was my first time install. I did everything pretty good, but the front bumper took me 5 hrs.. Just for the bumper! It's not 100% perfect, more like 85%. There are a few air bubbles here and there, misaligned areas and corner wrinkles, but you won't see it unless you walk up to the car. For the added protection, I don't mind those installation defects.
I took my car in to the dealership for the first couple of maintenance appointments and those freaks put in more scratches than I did. I won't take it back to them again. After they wash it, I see tons of swirl marks and fine scratches here and there. O well...at least I'm not alone...haha
Just for the bumper! It's not 100% perfect, more like 85%. There are a few air bubbles here and there, misaligned areas and corner wrinkles, but you won't see it unless you walk up to the car. For the added protection, I don't mind those installation defects. I took my car in to the dealership for the first couple of maintenance appointments and those freaks put in more scratches than I did. I won't take it back to them again. After they wash it, I see tons of swirl marks and fine scratches here and there. O well...at least I'm not alone...haha
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: MA
I recently just got a paint chip on my obsidian, any recommendations to remove it? and btw thanks for the recommendation of the opticoat, I have had my obsidian for about 3 months now and i must say its a pain in the *** to keep clean. i called my local detailing spot, and he's quoting me at 495.. is this the usual going price?
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 14
From: Texas
I recently just got a paint chip on my obsidian, any recommendations to remove it? and btw thanks for the recommendation of the opticoat, I have had my obsidian for about 3 months now and i must say its a pain in the *** to keep clean. i called my local detailing spot, and he's quoting me at 495.. is this the usual going price?
Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: NY
495 sounds way high, but detailing services vary greatly in what they provide. Generally they have tiers and different pricing levels for each tier. Unless you're selling it tomorrow, don't blow 500 bucks on a detail job, because it's probably a top-to-bottom job that will make it look better than when it left the factory.
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