I have some rock chips on the front bumper and leading edge of the hood, that bug me. With the Deep Sea Mica Blue they stand out like a sore thumb. What would folks guess it would cost me to have the front bumper and leading edge of the hood repainted?

Dennis

 

I recently got rear ended. the bumper needs to be replaced. Painting it with 3 coats is about $250. I don't think you just want to spray a portion of the hood as it will be visible.

 

nsaldanh

Thanks will keep that advice in mind.

Dennis

 

Many recommend Dr Color Chip.

 

The local Toyota paint and body department wanted $800 to repaint the whole hood and drivers side front fender to fix a few chips in each (2010 LS460L, Mercury Metallic). They said they have to do a whole panel or you will always be able to see the repair. I went with the Langka Paint Chip Repair Kit. It uses Lexus touch up paint you get separately from Lexus to unsure a match. The only problem is that the Lexus touch up paint shrinks so much as it cures it takes many coats to fill the chip rather than one as implied in the directions / video.

 

Wall Street Journal Review of Pain Chip products

 

If the front end doesn't have that many rock chips touch up paint is the least expensive route. The body shop can't just repaint a small spot on a part of the car because they need to blend in the paint.

 

Took the car to the first body shop, which by the way is a new body shop that has been open about 4 weeks. One of 2 brothers who have been in business 20 years built a second shop in Bella Vista. I also have a few chips on the fenders as well that I am going to take care of. This estimate is to repaint the front end from the doors forward and that will include 3 coats of clear coat. $1,408.55. That is removing the front bumper refinishing it and reinstalling it. Thoughts

Dennis

 

That sounds reasonable. I know the paint alone is expensive.

 

The paint alone is $355.20. The Labor is 18.7 hours or $1,014.48

Dennis

 

I've heard that the original paint is color sanded between each coat. You will be able to see the difference between the old and new paint if this is not done. Unless the chips are absolutely horrible, I would use one of the paint stick "lipsticks" to do the chips on the hood. These fill the chips and the excess buffs off. Repainting the entire front end will make future buyers suspect the car has been in a wreck (particularly if you can see the difference in finish).

Price has little to do with quality in automotive paint work. I would ask to see their other jobs before you let them loose on your LS!

 

Went to see the other body shop owned by the other brother in Bentonville. They were $484.45 dollars higher than the new shop. They came in at $1,893.48 vs $1408.55 for the same work which was painting from the front doors forward with 3 coats of clear coat. My friend with the 2010 SWB LS 460 had some type of spray applied to the front end of her car back when she bought it from Lexus of Tulsa that protects it from rock chips. Any thoughts on this this type of spray? We had something like this on the front of our RV back in 2004 and it was called Diamond Shield if I remember correctly.

Dennis

 

Cannot seem to find any info on the Lexus spray on rock chip protection does anyone else have it?

Dennis

 

This is the most recent spray-on product I am aware of. It is by 3M. They were (I think - not sure) the creators of the clear bra. At least, when I first saw this technology in the 1990s, 3M was the big name.

http://3mauto.com/paint-defender-spray-film.html

 

caha14

Thanks but no thanks, I never get a passing grade when I play with any type of DIY spray applications. I even flunked "Wall Graffiti 101" for to many runs.

Dennis