http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mhwf8...eature=related

this is just false..no way lexus would do such a thing..

 

believe it. Lexus paint is very very soft.

 

Ford produced a bunch of these ads with different manufacturers. Albeit, it is obviously going to be biased and skewed so the results are in their favor, but I wouldnt be surprised because Lexus has yet to find a way to balance environmental friendliness with paint strength.

I believe the 2010 model gets self healing paint


if you look at the video, notice how the LS and the Taurus are right next to the white line on the road. The gravel truck on the other hand is not in the middle, it is moved ot the left towards the LS. I think the LS got more of the gravel thrown at it

 

I drive far behind people and remain very cognizant of any trucks et al that could be flinging debris. Does it require some patience? YES! (Don't get me wrong, I open her up when there's nobody in front of me)

The paint is surprisingly fragile, but the driver has a lot to do with it as well. I see people driving up each others assess all day long... Then they wonder why their paint is damaged.

 

This is true. Ford paint/clear is medium-hard. Lexus paint/clear is ultra soft (the softest in the industry). They are both water-borne, however Ford has a somewhat better 'baking' process to ensure harder paint. This is, without question, a big issue that Lexus needs to work on (not just on the LS, but the entire line). The Canadian built SUV's tend to have slightly harder paint. I will be interested in seeing how the new self healing paint is to work with and how it stands up again road rash, scratches and other issues. Just take a look at the front of most Lexus cars and you will see lots of road rash (far in excess of any other brand).

 

There have been some complaints over the 'soft' paint, and indeed that has to do with the switch to water-based paints in recent years (for environmental reasons). As pointed above, the comparison is made with the debut version LS 460, not the current model with its self-healing paint (which Ford does not use). Also, it's worth pointing out IMO that the quality of the paint finish (appearance) in Lexus models is quite top-notch among luxury vehicles...the self-healing paint may help address the softness issue.

 

Clear bra FTW. Problem solved.

As for the use of water based paints, that only applies to the United States specifically in CA where solvent based paints are illegal to be sprayed out. I believe factories outside the US don't have to adhere to the "water based" paint rule.

 

All Lexus products currently feature water-borne paint, which IS the problem. If Lexus switched to solvent based or went to a ceramic clear coat (like MB), then many of the problems would be solved. Unless you cover the entire car with clear shield, a clear front end cover only helps that part of the car.

 

That's my ONLY complaint about the LS460 -- the paint is terrible. I had the front repainted, actually - it was chipped to the aluminum in several places, then a gravel truck drove off into a construction zone and threw a few rocks on the front -- that sealed the fate of a front-respray.

I have a 45' motorhome and have flat-towed 3 vehicles behind it -- you can imagine what kind of abuse a car takes a few feet behind a bus for thousands of miles. None even compare to the chipping on the LS in only 19,000 miles of relatively babied conditions.

It's a big disappointment, but my only disappointment.