I have a 2002 Lexus ES300. The paint is overall in pretty good condition, but it needs some new life breathed back into it. Was thinking to having it done professionally, but don't know if I need a paint shop or a detail shop. I figure if I just need a detail shop, I can probably do what most places can do - wash, clay bar, wash, carnuba wax and polish. Is there skills and tools a paint shop would have that could do paint "reconditioning". I don't need it repainted, clear coat is good - it's 9 years old - just needs freshened up.

Suggestions, ideas - recommendations?? Thanks. Doug in Mesa, AZ

 

Hello Doug.

If you have a body shop you trust they might be able to wet sand the paint to make it like new. Or I'd look up a good professional auto detailer. They can machine buff and polish your paint which will take out most of the blemishes and imperfections. There are even mobile detailers out there that will come to you.

 

Make sure they know what they're doing. I had bad luck and part of my door's paint now looks dull, I assume because he over buffed.

 

Do you own a proper machine (IE - a DA polisher)? If you plan on keeping up with the detailing yourself, it may be a worthwhile investment and we have several vendors who can sell you one for a good price with accessories/products for the exact job you're talking about.

If you don't want to do that, I would get a couple quotes from pro detailers. Anyone who tells you a full detail is under $100, BTW, is either A) not going to do the job or 2) severely undercharging for a job. And when I say full detail, I don't mean a wax and buff. There is a lot more to it than that, but that's something you and the detailer should discuss.

Big Mack