99 Es 300 new owner - paint question
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 14
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From: ny
99 Es 300 new owner - paint question
Hi everyone, I just bought this 99 es 300 last week. It's in pretty decent shape aside for some paint fading and scratches. I was wondering what I can to improve the paint without breaking the bank.
I'm also looking for floor mats - besides for the genuine original Lexus mats (which are kinda expensive) - what aftermarket mats would fit the best?
The car itself was a great deal it has 83k - I bargained the seller down to 2900$, although it needed a rear seal replacement which cost $500 in labor. The radio Lcd is also burnt out but all in all I'm very pleased so far.
So far I used the Turtle Wax headlight restoration kit and it worked great so I'm looking to spruce it up a bit more.
Thanks!
I'm also looking for floor mats - besides for the genuine original Lexus mats (which are kinda expensive) - what aftermarket mats would fit the best?
The car itself was a great deal it has 83k - I bargained the seller down to 2900$, although it needed a rear seal replacement which cost $500 in labor. The radio Lcd is also burnt out but all in all I'm very pleased so far.
So far I used the Turtle Wax headlight restoration kit and it worked great so I'm looking to spruce it up a bit more.
Thanks!
That is the clear coat peeling away. Without it, your color coat becomes exposed to the elements and any further damage will be much more difficult to polish out. The first thing you would want to do is wax the hell out of your car on a consistent basis. This should slow down the deterioration, and might even fill in some of the scratches that you have, until the wax gets washed away again.
Another solution would be to polish the paint with a machine buffer and abrasive compounds to even out the surface, so the difference between clear and non-clear coats isn't as drastic. Again, this would be followed up with lots of wax. The problem with exposed color coats is that there is much less material to work with. Any buffing mistake will cut right through to the primer.
Lastly, if you want to get this done right the first time, all affected panels would need to be wet sanded and resprayed with a few coats of clear paint.
This kind of damage is usually caused by neglect and years of parking outside, without any paint protection. It's rather unfortunate to have such extensive damage on a low mileage example.
Another solution would be to polish the paint with a machine buffer and abrasive compounds to even out the surface, so the difference between clear and non-clear coats isn't as drastic. Again, this would be followed up with lots of wax. The problem with exposed color coats is that there is much less material to work with. Any buffing mistake will cut right through to the primer.
Lastly, if you want to get this done right the first time, all affected panels would need to be wet sanded and resprayed with a few coats of clear paint.
This kind of damage is usually caused by neglect and years of parking outside, without any paint protection. It's rather unfortunate to have such extensive damage on a low mileage example.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Toronto, Canada
^ I agree.
Wet-sanding and re-clear coating the hole car (or at least the side of the car affected) is the best way to restore the peeling clear coat.
You can checkout Weathertech floor mats that are cut to fit. I just use regular rubber mats with the original carpets flipped up-sided-down with rubber side up.
Wet-sanding and re-clear coating the hole car (or at least the side of the car affected) is the best way to restore the peeling clear coat.
You can checkout Weathertech floor mats that are cut to fit. I just use regular rubber mats with the original carpets flipped up-sided-down with rubber side up.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2011
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You would have to respray all the affected panels. You can't just wet sand and clear coat panels you'll need to repaint and then clear coat. If car is in great mechanical condition it might be worth repainting the whole car. You might find someone local who'd be willing to do it in their shop/garage. Check out work they do and see if that's what you like and get a few different quotes and make your decision.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 14
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From: ny
ThanksI
Thought I had read that the earlier pre-2000 Lexus only had single coat paints without clear coating?
How much should I expect to pay someone to wet sand and repaint with clear coat? I assume its not a job for a beginner.
Thought I had read that the earlier pre-2000 Lexus only had single coat paints without clear coating?
How much should I expect to pay someone to wet sand and repaint with clear coat? I assume its not a job for a beginner.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 463
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Maaco can do a decent job but it will cost more than $300 that they charge for their "tack n shoot everything" paint job. If I were repainting it for you it would be roughly $2500-$3000 with paint included (quality paint/clear is expensive and so are most other materials, masking tape, etc)
However like mentioned above, I'd make sure its in top notch mechanical condition before worrying about body/paint.
However like mentioned above, I'd make sure its in top notch mechanical condition before worrying about body/paint.
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Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 14
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From: ny
Maaco can do a decent job but it will cost more than $300 that they charge for their "tack n shoot everything" paint job. If I were repainting it for you it would be roughly $2500-$3000 with paint included (quality paint/clear is expensive and so are most other materials, masking tape, etc)
However like mentioned above, I'd make sure its in top notch mechanical condition before worrying about body/paint.
However like mentioned above, I'd make sure its in top notch mechanical condition before worrying about body/paint.
The car is in excellent shape according to my mechanic. and it runs real smooth in my short week of owning it.
If I do go the $300 Maco route is there anything I should be aware of to ask them or to prep myself beforehand? $3000 is waaay too much for what the car cost.
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If I were you, I would get a professional polishing job to get it looking half way decent, while not breaking the bank. Getting a cheap paint job will only make it look like ****.
This LS400 owner would disagree He was in the same boat as OP, came out awesome.
Driver
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 168
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From: OR
I'm a firm believer in "you get what you pay for". If you're looking for a paint job on the cheap and not going to keep the car long, get a Maaco job. Just be sure you get the same color. I've seen some awful Maaco repaints. Years back I went to test drive a beautiful green Acura Legend Coupe…When I opened the door, I noticed all the door jambs were bright red! 
Depends who they hire. That's all that it is.
Even those cheap promo's depends who's laying down the paint. I've seen some cars with more peel than oranges, and I've see really good 400$ work.
There was a guy in my city that was the best, everyone saw him and paid him extra cash [read: tip] for how awesome stuff came out. He then went on to work at a real shop which paid him properly.
Everyone has a budget. Which is why some will use a pro detailer at 400$ in lieu of a 400$ maaco spray. Or the same reason some will cover things up with a vinyl job or even plasti-dip!
Even those cheap promo's depends who's laying down the paint. I've seen some cars with more peel than oranges, and I've see really good 400$ work.
There was a guy in my city that was the best, everyone saw him and paid him extra cash [read: tip] for how awesome stuff came out. He then went on to work at a real shop which paid him properly.
Everyone has a budget. Which is why some will use a pro detailer at 400$ in lieu of a 400$ maaco spray. Or the same reason some will cover things up with a vinyl job or even plasti-dip!
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