Lexus Factory Paint

[Monk]

I went into some detail about this in another thread, but I have new information, and I will eliminate any part that may have seemed like a rant:

Assume for whatever reason, the Lexus dealership sold me a new car that needed to be repainted. After a couple of "take-backs", there are fisheyes in the hood (about ten), some scratches and buffer marks. In addition, the entire car has light light light "swirlishness" (is this what you guys call "micro-marring"). They are going to fix everything except the swirlishness. We walked around the lot, and EVERY dark color car had this. So my question is, is this normal on other manufacturers? Obviously this is normal for Lexus/Toyota, but is this across the board? I have been to a few car shows and studied the finishes, and did not see this, but perhaps the light wasn't right or I wasn't focused down hard enough.

I don't think I can even capture it with a digital camera.

[Superior Shine]

Dealerships are individually owed and some dealerships put more emphasis on the vehicles appearance than others.

I believe their is NO excuse for them not giving you a car with a VERY NICE paint finish at the very least.

If your still unhappy with the results go over their head and straight to Lexus USA.

[Setec Astronomy]

Well, every dark colored car on the lot had swirls because they wash all the cars on the lot periodically, usually with really bad methods. As far as the fisheyes, I find that difficult to believe that Lexus, which has an excellent reputation for their paint, would pass through inspection a car with 10 fisheyes. I would venture to guess that the car was damaged in transit or on the lot and was repainted. State laws differ, but there is a damage threshold under which the dealer may repair a damaged car and still sell it as new.

[Monk]

Originally posted by Setec Astronomy
Well, every dark colored car on the lot had swirls because they wash all the cars on the lot periodically, usually with really bad methods. As far as the fisheyes, I find that difficult to believe that Lexus, which has an excellent reputation for their paint, would pass through inspection a car with 10 fisheyes. I would venture to guess that the car was damaged in transit or on the lot and was repainted. State laws differ, but there is a damage threshold under which the dealer may repair a damaged car and still sell it as new.

As I noted above, it was repainted, so the guy had every opportunity to make it as fine as any finish could be. I don't want to rant about the circumstances, though, just was wondering if this is something that is on all cars but only shows up on black/dark color.

I will post some pics.

[Setec Astronomy]

Sorry, I misunderstood...I thought the car had yet to be repainted. To answer your question, yes, all cars that have been carelessly washed (99.5% of the cars our there) have swirls, but they show up more on dark colored cars. I find that the cars that have been washed the least have the least micro-marring, which is kind of a conundrum...that from a swirl aspect, a car that has never been washed in 3 years might have less swirling than one that has been washed every week....but the non-washed one may have different kinds of damage.

[jfelbab]

I've owned and detailed dozens of Lexus's and have never once seen a fish eye in the factory paint. In fact I'd call their paint legendary in terms of quality based on my experience with them.

In fact they have one of the best painting systems in the world. They use Perceptron AutoSpect System.

You are likely correct in assuming that the vehicles displaying fish eye have been poorly repaired locally.

You are also correct in assuming some dealers have people keeping their cars clean on the lot who don't have a clue. Guess they don't pay much for this and expect less. I'd search out a different dealer.

[Superior Shine]

Originally posted by Monk
......... just was wondering if this is something that is on all cars but only shows up on black/dark color.

I will post some pics.

Yes! Micro-marring, swirl marks; spider webbing all refers to the same thing, tiny scratches in the paint that disrupt the way light is reflected.

All paint is susceptible to the micro-marring. Usually ANY contact with the surface of the paint will introduce some amount of scratches into it even if is at a microscopic level.

What I try to convey to my clients is take precautions not scratch the finish while caring for it with proper products and techniques. If or when the finish reaches and unacceptable level of micro-marring, a different set of products and techniques are use to remedy the problem.

Swirls are more apparent on dark colored vehicles because of the contrast of the light reflected from the micro-marring and the dark color finish.

The same type of micro-marring on a light colored vehicle isn’t as noticeable because the light from the micro-marring isn’t as easily seen against lighter color.


Here are pictures of "swirls" on a black car-----







Here is the same car after it has been polished ----

[Monk]

Superior--Thanks. My car is not quite as bad as pic 1 and 2. I guess a subfunction of concentric circles is the lines that radiate straight out from the center.

I have a strong urge to take a section and try some 80 on a 9006 at 5 on the PC, see how that works and if not, try 83 on the 8006 at 5 on the PC, then back to the 80--but then I will have made this my problem.

I wish you were local SS. I've seen your work on the forum, and knowing that Mike Phillips send you the tough jobs (probably keeping the easy ones for himself!), I would love to hear what you thought.

[Superior Shine]

I would skip the 9006 and stay with 8006/83 combo.

[Monk]

"Go with the 8006/83"

Letls just say for the sake of argument that I hit it with the 8006/83 four times (applied then wiped off 4X), and brought it up with 9006/80, and saw some but not a huge amount of improvement. Would you keep make a few more passes with the 8006/83. I don't want to do any damage and "own" this problem.

[Ed 718]

OMG what a awesome result

[CELL]

Toyota (Lexus) leaves alot to be desired with their paint/clear coat jobs to begin with