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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
It’s hard to tell from the pics, but it looks like someone painted the chrome window trim to match the paint and that paint is now peeling off. Can you take a picture a little farther back so we can see the front and rear window trim?
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
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.
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.)
Last edited by roadfrog; May 18, 2018 at 09:55 AM.
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.
That’s very common on lexus and other vehicles. Be careful with car washes. It’s a laminate paint wrap over steel. Spinner brushes will rip those out easily.
I had the same problem on my GS and ended up plasti-dipping them black. The car looks better overall.
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’ve had the dealer replaced that at their own expense because their car wash damaged it. It took a month for them to order the parts and for it to arrive. Thank goodness for the Lexus loaners.
Anyways, the new ones installed came apart again after being the Texas heat. I got tired of it and ripped off all the paint and coated them with plasti-dip.
Anyone seen OEM paint do this?
