Has anybody else had paint problems on their 2IS? Especially "Black Sapphire Pearl" owners?

When I got the car ('06 used w/ 2,500 miles on it) the paint was a bit swirly, but not bad. I planned to get it to my detail guy, but haven't got around to it. My girl needed the car for about a month, so I let her drive it (I have a civic, and a few other cars so I didn't have to DD the Z06). It sat about a week once with bird **** on it because she parks outside at work, and didn't wash it (there's no wash places in our town I'd let touch the IS or my Z06). It also got some tree sap on it at her place.

Well I washed it really, really well the other day. All of the best products etc. and the bird **** marks, some of the sap marks and some more swirls will not go away for me. I'm no pro-detail guy so I didn't try buffing stuff out (I know I'll do more harm than good) but I'm pretty pissed. Even my GM's (even my '97 Trans Am and '97 Z28) don't get perm. marks from bird **** in a week. And this car swirls as easy as my '99 Z28 (Navy Blue Metallic, really similar color).

I guess I expect more from Lexus. Has anybody had similar problems? Any luck getting a dealer to do what it takes to take care of this stuff?

-TJ

 

If yours is an 06' then it is Blue Onyx Pearl. The 07' are Black Sapphire Pearl. You can say that I've had quite a few problems with the paint... My particular specimen has factory paint defects on the hood and roof and the dealership "installed" buffer machined marks. Mine is just an isolated case and Im sure other Blue 2IS' are fine.

Anywho, I would think any cars paint would be damaged from bird doodoo baking in the sun for a week. The swirl marks are normal. Your IS250 is one year old and the swirl marks came from the previous owner, dealership and you washing it. Even though your very careful and use the best products you probably added a few minor swirl marks, and Im sure the dealership and owner before you werent so careful.

The dealership is not responsible if outside forces damage your paint, it is normal wear and tear. If the dealership is really nice, they might buff it out out of courtesy, but I make sure the Lexus detailer knows what hes doing. I would just take it to a professional detailer and him him clay, polish and wax it. The damage on your paint is very minor and the detailer should be able to restore it to a showroom finish.

 

It was used!!! Blame the previous owner, don't blame Lexus. Geez. Didn't you see the marks before you bought it.

 

No problems here. A good coat of Zaino every month really helps protect the paint from bird crap, but letting it sit in direct sun for a week....noth'ns gonna protect it.

 

I disagree. I've found that it takes only about 24-48 hours for bird droppings to etch the paint on modern cars. This hasn't been a problem on my Lexus, since white is great at hiding this kind of damage, but my black Audi S4 accumulated damage from bird droppings and even acid rain. Good idea to keep a bottle of Meguires quick detailer and some cloths in the car to deal with it as quickly as possible.

 

typical with dark colors of any car, thats why I will always own a white car

 

Did you even read my post? I stated I wasn't concerned with the swirls that were on the car when I bought it. I know dark colors do that, and I know my detail guy can get rid of them. Swirls are still not my real concern... though I had expected the Lexus to stand up a bit better than a GM.

True... but I just love this color so much. Its the price we pay I guess.

You are right I'm sure... I just checked Lexus's site for what I thought my color was so I'm sure I got the '07 name not the '06. Thanks.

-TJ

 

I also carry some quick detail and towels in the trunk.

Less than 24 hours for me. About a month ago I washed my car on a Saturday night before going out, came home a little late so I left it outside. Sunday around noon went to go to the gym (the car was in the very hot sun) and there must have been 10-15 large spots of bird crap on the passenger side of the hood. I washed it immediately and noticed there was etching...so I got the polising compound and tried to reduce the etching as much as possible. Although most people wont notice it now, I do.

 

Why?!? Paint is the same.

 

Yeah right paint is the same. Just like all cars are the same, all hotels are the same, all clothing is the same, etc.

 

Nope, paint is generally the same. The difference is in how it is finished. Higher end vehicles are wetsanded and polished to minimize orange peel in the paint, whereas cheaper vehicles tend to have tons of orange peel.

Federal requirements have forced paint companies to create products that can't stand up to chipping very well, but any paint will etch when exposed to bird crap for a few days. If you used all the "best products", then you used gentle products. That means you need to use an aggressive polish to level your clear and remove the etching (if it can be removed).

 

Trust me I know the differences in paint. I've been in the paint business since 1994 (just out of high school).

My point was that paint between different car companies is not the same. Yes the basic resins and pigments are similar, but they are far from the same from company to company. Application and paint types definitely affect durability, depth, gloss, etc.

My company supplies products to a company that supplies Toyota/Honda with a type of "skin" that looks just like it's painted, but it's actually not. It's used on bumpers and other plastic components. Hard to explain (and I'm too lazy to do so) but you can read about it here: http://www.greentokai.com/

 

To say that all paint is generally the same is an ignorant statement. If that were true, all cars would be painted with latex enamel from the local hardware store. NOT ALL CLEAR COATS ARE THE SAME. (by the way, your gm just might be painted with a single stage acrylic enamel)

If you keep your paint waxed, the bird droppings and tree sap will be a bit easier to keep clean.

As for letting someone else borrow your ride without maintaining the finish, bad call.

 

Will 08's have better paint...

 

Yeah. it's an option. LOL.