Considering the newest LS430 is now 12 years old, what specific brand of body panel anti-rust wax agent is used at your Lexus or Toyota dealership, and can you speak to its effectiveness? Are there any better rust-proofing alternatives, ie. Rustop or Rust Check products? Previous rust discussions at https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ving-rust.html and https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...xperience.html and https://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/fo...xus-uk/?page=2 show some common rust spots - behind the lower chrome strip on the doors, underneath the upper chrome strip at the top of the door panel, bottom edge of the trunk lid below the license plate.

The official document below doesn't address these common problem areas, and maybe that's why they are common. On the door and fuel filler hinges identified below, at least 1 Toyota dealership in Canada uses what appears to be a white lithium grease spray but perhaps it was actually the anti-rust wax spray.


2000-2003 part numbers of commonly rusted components:
Front right door skin: 67111-50030
Front left door skin: 67112-50030
Rear right door skin: 67113-50030
Rear left door skin: 67114-50030
Trunk deck lid: 64401-50160
Hood lid: 53301-50050

Thanks in advance!

 

I'm not a Lexus or Toyota body tech, but did some vehicle rustproofing years ago. Your described areas of concern would not be treated (or at least not fully treated) in a typical application. In the case of the doors, the window and latch mechanisms hinder accessibility while trunk lid design itself limits accessibility to the area below the license plate. I'm not saying those areas could not be adequately rustproofed by someone dedicated to ensuring coverage, e.g,, removing the door panels would greatly facilitate application, but that usually is not done.

 

When you want to properly anti-rust protect your car, you will reach inaccessible areas with wax through small drilled openings that will be plugged afterwards.

Indeed, people doing this for a living (in general) know what they are doing.

In respect of re-skinning, I think this is a thing of the past, it is hardly ever done today.