1999 Lexus GS400 (black)

[GSteg]

I finally detailed it after neglecting the car for months. I love the lexus non-clear coated paint. swirl marks are so much easier/quicker to get rid of than paint with clear coat (at least in my experience). I know my rear bumper doesn't look good, but it came with the car when I bought it. Nothing I can do now except save up for a paint job later on

-Meguiars #83 DACP
-Meguiars #7 show car glaze
-DP carauba wax
-Finishkare 425 detailing spray (for its anti-static property).

[GSteg]

Nothing special..just felt like sharing. lol.

[SiriusRIMZ]

I think that has to be one of the most reflective black cars I have every seen!



You did an outstanding job! The lack of orange peel is incredible!

[TH0001]

Looks STUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NICE work amigo!

[BlueTooth]

OMG, I think I just crapped myself, thats awesome, some of the best pics of a nicely detailed black car I have ever seen

[LiquidBlack]

What an amazing shine!

Tell me, what are the benefits of having non clear coated paint as opposed to paint that is clear coated? (besides ease of maintenance) Why are the majority of cars today clear coated?

[GSteg]

Originally posted by LiquidBlack
What an amazing shine!

Tell me, what are the benefits of having non clear coated paint as opposed to paint that is clear coated? (besides ease of maintenance) Why are the majority of cars today clear coated?

Thanks for the kind words!

To tell you the truth, I dont know why lexus didn't put clear coat on the pre-2001 black cars. I know in 01, they decided to put clear coat on their black. All I know is that my black looks just as wet, if not wetter than an equivalent black GS with clear coat. Not to mention I had never has such ease with removing swirls using a PC. I was about to whip out the rotary because i thought to myself "oh boy..its black..it'll take a lot of work". But nope. Came out just fine!

[Kman]

Wow.

[kboxer]

That shine is stunning.

[93ZF6]

I agree with the above, great job and lack of Orange Peel or FLA is amazing, has the car been wet sanded since you've owned it?

[Vandelete]

That Lexus is showing some serious shine ..I really love the side reflection shot.

[GSteg]

Originally posted by 93ZF6
I agree with the above, great job and lack of Orange Peel or FLA is amazing, has the car been wet sanded since you've owned it?

It's never been sanded before

I'm pretty impress with the lack of orange peel too! I was only expecting something like this to come from a mercedes.

[emilywednesday]

black car swirls

I am so jealous of that shine!! Can you help me with a black paint question?? What kind of cloths do you use to wash/wipe/wax with? I've tried the microfibers, but they actually seem to introduce swirls instead of preventing them.

I have a 2 year old Mercedes that has never been anything but hand-washed by me, but yet the damned thing is still developing tiny spiderwebs. It's never been wiped unless it was totally rinsed off first, and I scream at my b.f. anytime he gets near it if it's dusty, so I just don't know where they're coming from. Grr!

Anyway, I've never had a black car before, and I"m trying to keep this one perfect, but I'm ready to throw in the towel, so to speak. Any suggestions? Thanks so much.

[muskaman67]

#7

Did you have any problem removing #7? What did you use to remove it?

[GSteg]

Re: black car swirls

Originally posted by emilywednesday
I am so jealous of that shine!! Can you help me with a black paint question?? What kind of cloths do you use to wash/wipe/wax with? I've tried the microfibers, but they actually seem to introduce swirls instead of preventing them.

how cool is the surface of the paint when you tried to wipe the wax? I had a canopy so it was cool to touch. Removing wax was easy. Apply wax in very thin coating. You do not need a lot of wax and you'll be wasting it. Just enough to cover the surface is good enough.

I have a 2 year old Mercedes that has never been anything but hand-washed by me, but yet the damned thing is still developing tiny spiderwebs. It's never been wiped unless it was totally rinsed off first, and I scream at my b.f. anytime he gets near it if it's dusty, so I just don't know where they're coming from. Grr!

Well for one, swirls can be introduced even in washing! When you move your washing utensils around, you're actually letting the dust particle smear against the paint, therefore creating swirls. So its' important to have a lot of lubrication during washing (have good amount of soap on paint so dirt particles can removed without scrubbing the car). Even I get minor swirls when I wash my car. it's not biggy because it's going to get polished again anyways. Though I find that when I use my California Duster everyday, I reduce the need to wash my car, assuming nothing like bird poop gets on it. My car is still swirl-free right now

Anyway, I've never had a black car before, and I"m trying to keep this one perfect, but I'm ready to throw in the towel, so to speak. Any suggestions? Thanks so much.

It's fusterating to work with black because it gets so dusty easily. But if you haven't tried the Calfornia duster ($10 at walmart), then you should really try it. I dont think I could live without it because my car gets dusty the next day. i use to have to wash my car every 2 days, but now I can get away with washing it maybe once every 2 weeks. Its one of those thing I think all cars, esp. black cars should have.