Nebula Gray Swirls
02-04-13, 08:16 PM
#16
I'm biased but I vote for Black/Flaxen or at least a dark color for the 4GS.. It's a lot of work and effort to keep it clean and shiny but I don't regret getting this color. I think if you wash and take care it right, you should be fine. The dirt may get more noticeable but so will the shine. I actually thought about NG but when I saw it in person, it didn't do it for me. I guess everyone has different taste. Any color you choose I'm sure you'll love it and find a way to keep her clean and shine.
Last edited by 1111GS; 02-05-13 at 06:51 AM.
02-04-13, 08:23 PM
#17
Lexus Champion
Nebula Gray was my first choice, but the salesperson mis-ordered and I received Liquid Platinum. I love it. It is really a more vibrant silver than the ordinary and stays clean for a week between washings.
02-04-13, 08:53 PM
#18
Speaking of light cars and swirls... I was at a Tesla showroom, and their white Tesla S had A LOT of swirls on it. Embarrassingly so. I mentioned it to the sales guy and he politely shrugged and said that they make their cars do a lot of double/triple duty (showroom car, test drive, tech testing, etc). I still love the car though. I did happen to do the math to see the cost of trading in my 4GS for one.
(btw: love my 4GS, but the dealer experience and the rattle I've complaining about for 8 months now is driving me NUTS). I'm giving the dealership one more chance (although I shouldn't.. they clean my car when I ask them not to, they blame the rattle on unreasonable things (noise is in the front door/ashtray area, but they blamed my carseat in the back), and they also don't replace things when they "fix" the car (I noticed the trim around the front passenger A-pillar wasn't probably re-fitted after my last visit to fix rattles on that side)).
If someone from Lexus is reading this, PM me. I'm at wits end. Being a Toyota/Lexus person for 18 years (since I was 16), I know I'll come back and I still think they're better than the rest for quality/reliability.. but I feel like I need a break for a few years.
Another edit: They also disabled the cookie-crumb functionality the last time I gave them the car.. which pissed me off. They said it must have accidentally been reset, but the suspicious guy in me makes me feel like they took it offroading to see if they could hear rattles.
(btw: love my 4GS, but the dealer experience and the rattle I've complaining about for 8 months now is driving me NUTS). I'm giving the dealership one more chance (although I shouldn't.. they clean my car when I ask them not to, they blame the rattle on unreasonable things (noise is in the front door/ashtray area, but they blamed my carseat in the back), and they also don't replace things when they "fix" the car (I noticed the trim around the front passenger A-pillar wasn't probably re-fitted after my last visit to fix rattles on that side)).
If someone from Lexus is reading this, PM me. I'm at wits end. Being a Toyota/Lexus person for 18 years (since I was 16), I know I'll come back and I still think they're better than the rest for quality/reliability.. but I feel like I need a break for a few years.
Another edit: They also disabled the cookie-crumb functionality the last time I gave them the car.. which pissed me off. They said it must have accidentally been reset, but the suspicious guy in me makes me feel like they took it offroading to see if they could hear rattles.
02-04-13, 10:27 PM
#19
You might want to search the two buck wash system. I use two buckets (5 gal) with a grit guard on the bottom. Multiple clean towels for drying. My black looks almost like when I first got the car six months ago.
After washing my first car more than 20 years ago, I've only learned of this technique 6 months ago. Can't believe it took me this long.
02-04-13, 10:58 PM
#20
black and flaxen here. hardest to maintain but IMO the best color combo for this car. it's unique.
as far as cleaning goes, don't let anybody touch it but yourself, and google the 2 bucket system, best way to wash car. i have yet to wash my car since having it detailed by joe at superior shine..3 weeks ago..i know swirls are unavoidable, but at least can reduce them by washing it properly.
as far as cleaning goes, don't let anybody touch it but yourself, and google the 2 bucket system, best way to wash car. i have yet to wash my car since having it detailed by joe at superior shine..3 weeks ago..i know swirls are unavoidable, but at least can reduce them by washing it properly.
02-05-13, 08:49 AM
#23
Lexus Test Driver
Swirls are a problem on all paint colours from all manufacturers. Yes, Lexus paint is a little on the thin side compared to the German brands but overall, it is OK. The main way to prevent swirls in the first place is to take the washing into your own hands. Car washes, including touch-less car washes damage your paint!! Best thing to do is use a two bucket method, preferably with grit guards and a high quality drying cloth or chamois. Waxing often is also a great way to protect your paint. Wax will stop the paint from fading and some waxes can mask swirls very well.
As I said before, swirls are a problem on all paint types and colors. Some swirls are pretty natural due to the car being driven in dust and basically on the road. Even a £300k Rolls Royce will have swirls if taken to an automatic car wash or an incorrect method is used to wash the car. Yes, washing takes time, but id rather take an hour to wash my car than see swirls every time the sun shines.
As I said before, swirls are a problem on all paint types and colors. Some swirls are pretty natural due to the car being driven in dust and basically on the road. Even a £300k Rolls Royce will have swirls if taken to an automatic car wash or an incorrect method is used to wash the car. Yes, washing takes time, but id rather take an hour to wash my car than see swirls every time the sun shines.
Last edited by rayaans; 02-05-13 at 08:53 AM.
02-06-13, 09:41 AM
#24
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Nebula Gray is light colored and metallic which hides swirls better than a solid color car would. You should get that color if you like it. NG goes well with the color of the f-sport wheels.
02-06-13, 09:53 AM
#26
black and flaxen here. hardest to maintain but IMO the best color combo for this car. it's unique.
as far as cleaning goes, don't let anybody touch it but yourself, and google the 2 bucket system, best way to wash car. i have yet to wash my car since having it detailed by joe at superior shine..3 weeks ago..i know swirls are unavoidable, but at least can reduce them by washing it properly.
as far as cleaning goes, don't let anybody touch it but yourself, and google the 2 bucket system, best way to wash car. i have yet to wash my car since having it detailed by joe at superior shine..3 weeks ago..i know swirls are unavoidable, but at least can reduce them by washing it properly.
02-06-13, 09:56 AM
#27
Lol! I hear ya'!
02-06-13, 11:44 AM
#29
Not trying to persuade you for black but, IMO, I would buy the color I want even if it's high maintenance. Treat "her" like a real lady. 
If you love black, stay with it esp. for the 4GS.
If you love black, stay with it esp. for the 4GS.
02-06-13, 01:40 PM
#30
I can tell you it all about how you wash and detail the car to prevent swirls. My last two lexus's were black or smokey granite. I find the right products and applicators to make it swirl free. What i am using now exclusively is Adam's polishes. I love there products. They have a swirl free polish, even a deep swirl removal. Takes a lot of time, but I have got amazing results.
One of the reasons I got white this time around on my GS. Just don't have 3-4 hours to work on the car anymore.
One of the reasons I got white this time around on my GS. Just don't have 3-4 hours to work on the car anymore.