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Obsidian (Clearcoat or not)

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Old Oct 2, 2011 | 06:37 PM
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Default Obsidian (Clearcoat or not)

After years of reading this forum, I am just about to order a Black 2012 IS F

My only question is does the Obsidian have clear coat or not. I have read many diffeent opinons but would like clarification once for all before pulling the trigger on my IS F. It does not, I may have to resort to the new Mercury Grey Mica. because of the swirls.

Anyone have any pics of that new colourMercury Grey Mica here in Canada, No 2012 vehicles on the Lexus lot here in town in that colour yet.

Thanks,

Chris
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Old Oct 2, 2011 | 07:00 PM
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I am sure it is clear coated
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Old Oct 3, 2011 | 07:47 AM
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I had an obsidian is-f for 3 years, and fought that paint every day with scratches, bird droppings, etc... My dealership actually told me there was no, or very little clearcoat on obsidian, and given the difficult maintenance of that finish compared to other black cars I've owned, I believe them.
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Old Oct 3, 2011 | 08:04 AM
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lol i too have battled with the obsidian finish on my gs350awd. its the main reason i did not get an obisidian f. check out midnight black pearl - imho its so much nicer than obsidian and it looks way easier to maintain. dont know if lexus canada is offering that colour with the 2012 f. the first time i saw midnight black pearl was on a 2011 gs.
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Old Oct 3, 2011 | 11:23 AM
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I have obsidian and now wish I'd got a different color. IMO, it shows rock chips, bugs, etc a lot more than my past lexus cars (matador red, flint mica).
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Old Oct 3, 2011 | 12:15 PM
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Just wash it yourself from day one once a week and you'll be fine...Yes its hard to keep clean and there is no clear coat i've heard too, but nothing looks as nice when clean!! Go for it if your up to the task
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Old Oct 3, 2011 | 01:04 PM
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i find it hard to believe that there is no clear on a modern day car
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Old Oct 3, 2011 | 01:57 PM
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Originally Posted by hahahaf
i find it hard to believe that there is no clear on a modern day car
I second that, sounds like we need to send this to mythbusters and have them do some tests with explosives and fire.
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Old Oct 3, 2011 | 02:39 PM
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I'm sure It is clearcoated...if it was just a bascoat paint it would pull color when you use a rubbing compound on it, my obsidain doesn't pull color.

I also had to wet sand a spot and it didn't pull any color.
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Old Oct 3, 2011 | 02:52 PM
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Originally Posted by ACEtheOG
lol i too have battled with the obsidian finish on my gs350awd. its the main reason i did not get an obisidian f. check out midnight black pearl - imho its so much nicer than obsidian and it looks way easier to maintain. dont know if lexus canada is offering that colour with the 2012 f. the first time i saw midnight black pearl was on a 2011 gs.
So far Lexus Canada seems to be carrying the same 6 colors as the USA for the IS-F...
No midnight black pearl...

But Nebula Gray Pearl (USA) aka Mercury Grey Metallic in Canada is a very stunning color in person!!


Color code: 1H9

2012 Lexus IS-F



2012 CT200 h F-Sport



~ Joe Z

Last edited by Joe Z; Oct 3, 2011 at 02:58 PM.
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Old Oct 3, 2011 | 02:57 PM
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i hate my obsidian paint every time i look at it closely. There are so many fine scratches and swirls it's unheard of...but when it's just washed, from 5 feet on, no other color can compare imo...
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Old Oct 3, 2011 | 03:36 PM
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https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...lear-coat.html

Looks like we are not the first to have this discussion. Regardless, obsidian is a PITA to maintain, even for a black car.
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Old Oct 3, 2011 | 03:56 PM
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Thank you everyone. Dealer I am talking to indicates it is clear coat finish...

Does anyone have any pics of the Mercury Grey Mica (MGM) in person?

Would MGM in fact be the same Nebula Gray Pearl

Much appreciated.
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Old Oct 3, 2011 | 04:10 PM
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Originally Posted by HORSE9
Thank you everyone. Dealer I am talking to indicates it is clear coat finish...

Does anyone have any pics of the Mercury Grey Mica (MGM) in person?

Would MGM in fact be the same Nebula Gray Pearl

Much appreciated.

Why yes in fact it would be EXACTLY the same, as I posted.

~ Joe Z
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Old Oct 3, 2011 | 04:13 PM
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Originally Posted by HORSE9
Would MGM in fact be the same Nebula Gray Pearl

Much appreciated.
Nebula Grey Pearl is the replacement color for Smoky Granite Mica, Mercury Grey Metallic is still available as its own color.
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