We have a dark green sc430, we've had it a little over a year(2005).
I have been noticing..what looks like water spots on the paint...
They remind me of a problem we had back a few years ago with our Mazda..the paint was chipping off in small circles.
Has anyone having problems with the paint??
Thank-you

 

Can you get a picture of it. Ive been having issues with my 3n1 red gs400. When I purchased it it looked like faint waterspots, but then it got worse. I use some mequires products on the roof and it went away, but I did it all by hand, so there are spots that are coming back, If you like when I get home Ill look at what I used, and if posible post a picture and Ill tell you if its the same looking as mine.

 

Water drops left on the paint can, depending on what's in them, eat through the sealant or wax and eventually etch the clearcoat. This may be what is happening.

If so, you may need to polish with a very light abrasive polish. Use a dual action orbital, like the Porter Cable, if possible. Doing it by hand can make for a very long weekend.

For details, go to www.autopia.com and search the detailing forum for "waterspots" and see if the information there helps -- I think it should.

 

Provide more details man. What year is the car? And without knowing if it sat under the elements all its previous life, and where the guy lived (exposed to acid rain, near industrial places, etc), it's hard to know if it's normal or a defect. And under your ownership, does the car sit under the sun all day, or what? Paint needs to be maintained much more under 'extreme' conditions; it's just another part of maintenance. Also would help what kind of products you've been using, how often, etc. Good luck.

 

yes, definitely more details. how's the paint condition. it's very different between clear coat chipping and water spots. i don't have any paint issues on my gs400, is300, and sc430, but we do see problems on some members' cars before.

depending on the situation, there might be solutions. detailing could do amazing stuff in restoring paints

 

I had a 2004 SC in the same color and likewise had the same problem. As it turned out the spots were a result of acid rain that etched the paint/clear coat. The service department confirmed this and said that it is fairly common with the "soft" Lexus paint. A good detailer might be able to minimize the spots but if they are too deep they are they cannot be removed and the only solution is to have the clear coat re-sprayed.

 

I have the midnight pine pearl/dark green also with the same problem. They do look like hard water stains, but vinegar wouldn't remove them. A very mild polish (not rubbing compound or anything harsh-I made that mistake once) like 3M's Finesse It will take them off. Just be very gentle and don't push hard.