GS4SHO

Need help. I have a black GS4,(1998) Can anyone tell me if the paint has a clearcoat. Trying to figure out if I need a clearcoat polish or non- clearcoat polish. Please help, Thanks

Mr GS400

If you referring to Onyx Black (#202) it is clear coated.

clivej

hi guys.
hey gs4sho, call the lexus 800#.give them your VIN # and they will tell you whether it is or not.If you don't have the # rub some polish.(use a fair amount of pressure in an out of the way area) if the colour comes of on the cloth, then it is not clear coat.
clive
ps the # is 1800-25-lexus

biggie27

If Im not mistaken all onyx black lexus are not clear coated or at least the 99's arnt

BADGS400

I really dont think mine has one, ill have to call and see, all i know is have the WORST SWIRL MARKS out of any car ive ever seen, im ashamed to show my car off in the sun, only shade for me how much you think a clearcoat is for my car, or an "extra clearcoat" ?
ive heard that if you buff and polish the entire car then put the clearcoat on it will give you the glazed wet look

Mr GS400

When you wax or apply glaze to your car's paint do you get an applicator full of paint. If you don't . . . . you have a clear coat. I tend to think that all Lexus' are clear coated (factory) no matter what the color.

Another test is when bird droppings (eg. bird ****) etch themselves into your hood or roof. Are you able to remove them by applying cleaner/glaze/compound? Usually not . . . . I suspect that's because the dropping 'etched' into the clear coat and paint layer. The cleaner just works the top surface (eg. clear coat) unless you've removed the clear coat by agressive cleaning.

Guitarman

All Lexus' cars are clearcoated. In fact, even new/ late model Hundai's are. I buffed out a white Accent ( I'm a pro detailer) last week and it was urethane clearcoated.
You would have a hard time finding ANY car made in the last 6 -8 years that wasn't basecoat/clearcoat. MOST luxury vehicles have been now since the Mid 80's, as my 1984 Lincoln Mark VII was silver with clearcoat way back then. Cheers.

DAN H

Mr GS400

Thanks Guitarman for the authoritative response. Being 'in the business' you should know.

Sometimes when reading the various threads/responses that these forums yield . . . "I see dumb people'. No pun intended.

GS400_PUSHER

Guys the Black Lexus is not clear coated!!! Thats what they told me a year ago!!!!! when I called that same number last year and told them what type of car I had.

BADGS400

I was told the same thing PUSHER....Sometimes when reading the various threads/responses that these forums yield . . . "I see dumb people'. No pun intended.

oldracr

I just buffed out my "new" black 98 GS400 (with a gazillion swirl marks). The paint is definitely NOT clearcoated. The buffing pad was black all day long, even after repeated cleanings...

My 94 Supra TT is not clearcoated either.

One interesting point I noted was that it "appears" that the bumpers on my GS do have a clearcoat on them (maybe they were resprayed? Or maybe the bumper material is black as well?) I have not spent anytime trying to investigate, given it took me about 5 hours to do this job and I was too tired to worry about it when I got to the bumpers...

BADGS400

ya i think the bumbers might be clearcoated too,i ihave to get them repainted and there putting CC on it....maybe they jus think my car has a CC on it already

Guitarman

Hopefully. I may have to eat my hat guys, lol.

I emailed a guy that's a master paint technician/teacher with background in BASF Lexus body shop painting/ training etc. So I hope to let you know what he says real soon. In the meantime, i'll go out on a limb and say that some of your cars MAY have had paint work. Gulp...I hope my hat tastes good if not. LOL

It would SERIOUSLY shock me if Lexus used single stage paint on the black cars, especially when a $10,000 Ford focus has clearcoat. Stay tuned.

Mr GS400

Hey Guitarman,

I'll right in the hat eating line (either behind or in front of you) if your 'paint expert' testifies that Lexus' are not clear coated.

Mr GS400

Guitarman

Hat eating always tastes better when you're not alone.

Another possibility I asked him about in my email; that the clear is a "tinted" clear or tri-coat system tinted top layer. Custom paint shops do this, and it's within the realm of possibility for Lexus too.

If not-I have some mayo that would be a nice condiment for my baseball cap.