mjanocko

My '00 black GS400 has numberous paint chips on the hood, are there any solutions besides repainting the entire hood? This seems to be a common problem with Lexus paint.

redgs4

Repaint and cover with X-Pel or Clear Bra. Premier Mobile [a CL approved vendor - see the vendor forums] did mine back in September after I repainted my hood.

Believe it or not, the headlights and front of the hood are covered with Clear Bra. In light like this it's almost invisible - from other angles and light it looks similar to an X-Pel install.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

yup i agree, get xpel or venture tape. i have that on all my cars, and it's awesome stuff. i go long distance drive often and my hood and bumper is always smooth. of course, you gotta repaint them first

BigMoNYC

how much is it? and how does it get put on?

mjanocko

How did you restore the lens of your headlights? Can the inside be done as well? There has not been any condendation inside, but there is a little haze inside.

Shogun

For a temporary fix (6 months or less) use a Black Sharpie marker.

At a minimum, you won't have to look at white wax build-up in the chipped areas and it's a whole lot easier and more accurate than touchup paint.

Good luck,
Eric

joshoowa

iTrader: (1)

are u sure its on the inside? most of the time its on the outside and very tuff to get off, UNLESS you use an oxidizing compound. some people i know use scratch-x to get their headlights crystal clear, but i personally have a bottle of M3 oxidizing wax. It safe on the lenses and clearcoats, great on waxing ur car too makes it ultra shiny. basically what u need to do is remove the oxidizing containments.

rgarjr

iTrader: (1)

So what, does the rocks that hit the clear bra leave little nicks on the bra?

Neo

iTrader: (3)

If it is a hard enough hit, yes. It is still less noticeable than chipped paint. Since the film is softer (but strong), though, it can absorb/deflect most "smaller" impacts. I know I have many fewer film nicks then the number of paint chips I used to get.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

it really depends on what area you are in and how common thes stuff are. here in norcal, a full install can run over 600 bucks easy. but in socal, you can probably get it done for about 400 to 500

rominl

iTrader: (4)

well you can probably try to wet sand the headlights and see how it helps

now from the inside, i don't know....

rominl

iTrader: (4)

yup, if it's big and hard enough, it's going to dent the metal still, and might scratch on the plastic a bit. but the point is the plastic is flexible and can withstand a lot more power. also, you don't chip the paint

my friend drives a subaru and he has xpel. a huge rock hit the hood and dented the area, but no paint chip coz' of xpel. just imagine what it's like if there is no xpel

rgarjr

iTrader: (1)

is there like a time period that you need to redo the clear bra or do they last a few years? Also, does is have to be an OEM bumper or can you have a aftermarket bumper on it and have it done?

rominl

iTrader: (4)

if the material is good, then the decolorization over yrs is minimal and you don't have to really replace it.

i custom cut the kti on my ugo front lip myself, it's good. i have done quite a few installs myself though and got the experience

lxogood got a custom kit cut and installed on his lsportline bumper.

it all depends on how good the installer is

redgs4

Don't have any closeups already uploaded, but my Tom's bumper is a custom install. I have the venture tape on the mirrors, hood, top & bottom portions of the bumper and all the lights.