Anyone seen OEM paint do this?
 

I've got an '09 LS SWB AWD with about 105k miles in the northeast US (i.e., variable weather). Two days ago I noticed a short 4 inch section of paint on the passenger side front windshield pillar start to peel off in a pretty good sized "sheet". When I went to inspect the sheet of loose paint was like a candy wrapper I pushed back onto the pillar (see pics below). Very weird. There is chrome underneath it. This doesn't seem like a touch up paint type of problem. Anyone have any suggestions on the cheapest way to repair this? Thanks https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...d6d0a749cc.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...93920d8670.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...6411d283ac.jpg

Agreed....can't tell whats going on in these pics.

Hi wayman, your car is afflicted with the well-known delaminating drip rail problem. Check post #3 in the following thread for links to the original threads and potential solutions. Also check post #26 for an interesting solution!
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...rip-rails.html

I've seen this before on other makes. I think it's a heavy coating applied at the factory over stainless or alloy trim and painted body-color. It seems to form cracks and then peel away from the shiny smooth metal. This is all just a guess, but I am sure about the repair: It needs to be stripped and repainted at a body-shop. At least if you want an LS-grade repair.

Heat gun and peel all the way off - it looks awesome: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...l#post10073940

Ahhhh ok.....I see where these issues are now. I have a tiny bit of it on one of my rails, but barely noticeable, and after 4 years, it hasn't gotten worse. Personally, I don;t like the chrome look if you remove the paint coating. WAY too much chrome (which I guess is why the designers added the coating.)

Thanks for looking. Here are some more pics. Refer to the little blue arrows to see where the damage is located.https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...e1f2e4926b.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...cae82f7354.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...4ffab6c198.jpg

Also there is no chrome trim around the front or rear windshield. The only chrome trim is around the door windows. Thanks for your thoughts.

Yup, it's not painted, it's a wrap they put on that drip rail. When my passenger side went, Lexus replaced it as a courtesy (I was out of warranty). When the driver's side started peeling, Lexus said thanks, but we'll pass on replacing that one. :(

What I don't understand is why that piece isn't painted in the first place. This and the peeling wheels are my two complaints about my Lexus.

Thanks for the input everyone. I will look into everything that's been suggested. I'll report back with what I end up doing.

Quick update, I haven't fixed it yet but I went to a Lexus dealership to get a quote for the entire drip rail/moulding. Predictably they do not sell just the "paint wrapper" that is coming apart. You have to get the whole rail/moulding that runs from the front windshield to the rear windshield. They quoted me $424.75 for the passenger side drip rail/moulding color matched to my car (part only, no labor). That's insanity to me. I checked Lexus South Atlanta and they have it for $252 which is more reasonable but still pricey in my opinion. I'm going to keep looking.

FYI, the part number for the passenger side rail/moulding is 75555-50010-B1 (note this is the part number for the mica gray color). I'll post further updates when I have them.

I started to notice on mine as well. Haven't gotten to digging any deeper into it other than seeing it.