Is it just my paint or is it common? I have an 08 RX350 Desert Sage with less then 4K miles. My wife drives it 90% in town, at less then 50 MPH. Every week I fine couple of new chips on the front bumper or the hood. The paint seem to be unusually soft. She drove a Camry on the same streets for years w/no chips. I declined the Clear Sheild Bra for $800 when I was buying the car. Now I think I will get it done. I found a place nearby that can do it for $600. My nephew, a Nissan tech, told me it was because of the angle of the hood and of the bumper in relation to the pavement. Anybody else has this problem?

 

Oh yeah! I seem to pick up another chip every month. There's a pretty good solution for them at http://drcolorchip.com/

It's not perfect and works best on darker colors, but the product has worked well for me on my Savanna Metallic RX (probably the worst possible color to match) and unless you know where to look, the match is perfect and the repairs are pretty much invisible from 5 or 6 feet away (the "crater" is still discernible). I did not put a Clearbra on this RX, but I do recommend it highly.

 

It seems like the car has a tendency to get chips. So I had my RX done all the way with clearbra. I had the whole hood, fenders, front bumper, headlights including fogs, and side mirrors all done. It was well worth the money. I never like the touch up paints because if you mess up you get those blobs. Lessen the stress.

 

It is common. I saw rock chips on my car the first week I had it. By the time 4 years passed my front bumper and leading edge of my hood had more rock chips than any car I have ever owned including my then 15 year old NSX that rode 4" off the ground. I haven't owned the newer Japanese cars other than Lexus, but I haven't seen any other car chip this easily. My 2002 BMW front end does have a few rock chips, but considering it is 6 years old it doesn't have as much as I recall the amount of chips I had within the first few months with my RX.

You need to put a clear bra on within the first couple days of ownership. I guarantee some owners are getting rock chips on the drive home from the dealership.

 

Yep- having a clear bra installed early on would have saved the hood and bumper. If your paint still looks relatively new, I suggest getting finding a clear bra installer near you and getting one installed.

Here's a list in Oregon: http://www.clearbrafilms.com/oregon

Call around and let them know you're on clearbrafilms.com with a list of shops in front of you to get the best quote.

Good luck!

Clifford

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of environmentally friendly water based paints - we will probably all live longer and the planet will not explode, but the nasty old paints of 5 years ago where much smoother and harder before they switched to the new stuff! Clearbra is the way to go on everything now!

 

I have an 08 RX350 and it chips easily too. Have not decided what I'll do with them at this point. I'm just disappointed that a luxury vehicle like this have paint issues. Lexus should have put extra layers of paint.

 

I don't think you have too many options. I am shopping for a clear bra now. So far I have quotes for $995, $799, and & $600. I am waiting for one more quote from my window tint guy. I am metally prepared myself to spend 600-800 bucks. Cheaper and less painful then re-painting the bumper and the hood.

 

Just ordered a new RX. Is this a good thing to get? Our old '04 RX had quit a few stone chips on the hood.
If so I would get it done ASAP.

 

xfirechief- yep, definitely a good thing to get now that lexus is using paints that are more likely o chip.

Since you're in Wisconsin, check out the shops in your area here:

http://www.clearbrafilms.com/wisconsin

I suggest telling them you're on the clear bra films site and that you have a whole list of shops to call so you can get the best price that they offer.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the info. I will call Monday.

 

I am having the clear bra installed this coming Monday for $550. That includes headlight covers.

 

Having the install done Sat. Did mention the web page & got a great price I believe.

 

updates guys? how did it come out for you guys?

xfirechief? arnieosp?

 

Well, my install didn't happen because my installer's vendor went out of business. And since my in staller works mostly on window tint, he did not get another clear bra vendor. He told me that if I provide the kit he would charge me $250 for the labor. I did extensive research and came to th conclusion that the 3M product is a way to go. This is what I found:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/2007-LEXUS-RX-350...713.m153.l1262

Sounds like a hell of a deal. I will call them tomorrow, ask few questions and will probably order a kit. I found this deal through an Acura forum. Couple of people bought their clear bras from them and everything was good.