Wow, that is some serious rust. Rust did in my beloved old '95 Infiniti Q45a, otherwise I would still have it (along with my Lexus). It wasn't just the body panels, but other engine, brake and suspension components were also failing or deteriorating. Except for the body panels, the same components were failing on my wife's old '95 Infiniti J30t. It seems Nissan products are more susceptible to rust problems. I didn't imagine the Lexus was similar.

So far neither my LS nor my wife's 2001 Jaguar show any signs of corrosion. I do try to wash the undercarriages as much as I can during the winter.

BTW, as an aside, although they only last for a few uses before they split, the pocket hose is great for winter use. The regular rubber hoses are just too inflexible in severe cold.

 

You need to let the color coat dry longer than 7 hours before applying the clear.

 

Man that's some serious rust. The $750 turnkey is a great deal. I'm sure it will look better than new. Look forward to the after photos.

 

I really feel for you guys who live in the rust belt. As we only get 30-40 wet days a year here, it's simply not an issue for me with my garage queens.

That being said, I recently noticed my in-laws '04 Jag XJ8 has a few rust blisters popping up on the C-pillar. The car is parked outside in damp SF, but so was my '97 LS400 for a few years and the painted looked as good as new. A Jag rusting, well that's not a huge surprise but I expect more from the LSs.

 

I drove 2 versions of Volvo XC70 and never need to worry about rust. That is not the case for my ls430,ls460, rx350. I was proud that LS only use virgin metal and 8 layer of paint before, but now I am shamed to mention that to other people

 

BTW, all modern cars use galvanized metal, including every Lexus and Toyota.

 

In terms of the quality of the paint job and body work, I learned to lower my standard in order to be happy even with the best local body shops.

To me, they always have problem with excessive paint on the edge or the corner. One time they tried to put 01-03 LS430 rear bumper into my 06 LS430. That is a similar but different bumper. Sometimes I have to go back and forth 4 times to correct the paint issue.

I have much better experience with mechanical works.

 

Our black color also needs to be mixed with metallic paint, those metallic sparkles are expensive

 

There's no metallic flake in Obsidian Black on our cars.

 

I didn't notice the flake in my 11' black 460 until body shop guy pointed to me under strong sunlight. Maybe your 08 black doesn't have it

 

No LS460 black has ever had any metallic flakes in it. Obsidian is the only black that has ever been offered on the LS460, and it is a flat non metallic black.

Sounds like you really need a new body shop. I don't have any issues like that with my body shop, and any "metallic" in your obsidian black is overspray or something.

 

I searched "Obsidian black" and lots of people refer it also as metallic black. You only notice the slight metallic under direct sunlight. That paint cost more than pure black.

My car is in the body shop for the small deer damage repair. I need to call them tomorrow to make sure they know it is metallic black(I think they must follow the color code). Those 2 independent body shops are used by our Lexus dealer, but I still have to cross my finger every time I pick my car back from a body shop.

 

Salesman told me the hood of LS460 is made of aluminum. Is it true?

 

There is NO metallic in obsidian black. I am 110% sure. There is only one black that's ever been available on the LS460, obsidian and it has never been an extra cost color. There's a color black sapphire pearl but that's actually a metallic blue.

As for the hood being aluminum, I'm not sure. I haven't heard that but it wouldn't surprise me. Aluminum hoods are very common nowadays.

 

You don't see little sparkling under direct sunlight? For sure, I see it