detailed Onyx Black LS400
06-05-04, 12:27 AM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
detailed Onyx Black LS400
This past November, we picked up a used 1998 Lexus LS400. Mechanically, the car was in good shape, but the condition of the paint was horrible. Having black paint is bad enough, but being a single stage paintjob didn't help either - the paint is so soft that you can scratch it with a fingernail. The previous owner did not take care of the paint at all, and it showed - major oxidation, heavy swirlmarks, and numerous etchings left over from bird bombs 
However, when it comes to removing defects, single-stage black is by far the easiest I've had to work with.
However, when it comes to removing defects, single-stage black is by far the easiest I've had to work with.
Last edited by bunmango; 06-10-04 at 07:37 PM.
06-05-04, 12:28 AM
#2
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
After claying, the surface looked a little bit better:
However, in these pictures, you can still see the "cloudiness" of the surface - not a "mirror" finish as a black car should have. Now
after some love with a PC random orbital buffer, Meguiar's #83 Dual Action Cleaner Polish, Meguiar's #82 Swirl Free polish, S100 Shine
Enhancing Cleanser, and S100 Wax, the "mirror" finish was (not so) quickly brought back to life:
However, in these pictures, you can still see the "cloudiness" of the surface - not a "mirror" finish as a black car should have. Now
after some love with a PC random orbital buffer, Meguiar's #83 Dual Action Cleaner Polish, Meguiar's #82 Swirl Free polish, S100 Shine
Enhancing Cleanser, and S100 Wax, the "mirror" finish was (not so) quickly brought back to life:
Last edited by bunmango; 06-10-04 at 07:39 PM.
06-05-04, 12:29 AM
#3
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
This was all done last December - fast forward 6 months and we have a different story. We were in the process of renovating the
inside of our home, so our beloved cars were forced out of the garage onto our driveway. Those trees shown in the reflections are
notorious for shedding leaves, and 6 months later, the heavy swirling and scratches had returned - a combination of both improper
washing techniques and a California Car Duster embedded w/ the aforementioned leaves.
Since finishing our house renovation and clearing up the garage, I felt it was time to let the LS back into the garage - but not
before a proper detail of course.
I started out with my PC and a yellow Lake Country cutting pad for the DACP. I used two different pads because the product/paint kept
building up rather quickly- I found myself cleaning up the pads after two panels or so. While one was out drying in the sun, I'd use
the other for a few panels, then switch... lather, rinse, repeat. I followed up this step w/ the SFP and another yellow Lake Country
pad. After the Swirl Free Polish, I followed up with a white Lake Country polishing pad and Clearkote's Vanilla Moose Wax Hand Glaze,
and topped with Poorboy's EX-P Sealant by hand. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.
inside of our home, so our beloved cars were forced out of the garage onto our driveway. Those trees shown in the reflections are
notorious for shedding leaves, and 6 months later, the heavy swirling and scratches had returned - a combination of both improper
washing techniques and a California Car Duster embedded w/ the aforementioned leaves.
Since finishing our house renovation and clearing up the garage, I felt it was time to let the LS back into the garage - but not
before a proper detail of course.
I started out with my PC and a yellow Lake Country cutting pad for the DACP. I used two different pads because the product/paint kept
building up rather quickly- I found myself cleaning up the pads after two panels or so. While one was out drying in the sun, I'd use
the other for a few panels, then switch... lather, rinse, repeat. I followed up this step w/ the SFP and another yellow Lake Country
pad. After the Swirl Free Polish, I followed up with a white Lake Country polishing pad and Clearkote's Vanilla Moose Wax Hand Glaze,
and topped with Poorboy's EX-P Sealant by hand. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.
Last edited by bunmango; 06-10-04 at 07:35 PM.
06-05-04, 03:25 AM
#4
Congratulations on such an amazing restoration!
I got a black onyx 03 ES here in Hawaii and almost lost
faith in cleaning my car until i saw your post.
Will be attacking a "bird bomb" mark on my hood 1st thing in the morning.
Thanks for the inspiration and keep up the awsome job!
I got a black onyx 03 ES here in Hawaii and almost lost
faith in cleaning my car until i saw your post.
Will be attacking a "bird bomb" mark on my hood 1st thing in the morning.
Thanks for the inspiration and keep up the awsome job!
06-05-04, 06:54 AM
#5
I love single-stage finishes. Some manufacturers clear-coat their dark non-metallic colors but they never look as good as the single-stage finishes.
Sure they swirl and scratch easier and are more prone to acid rain damage but damn, nothing looks better and as you noticed they are relatively easy to restore.
Nice job.
To maintain a single-stage finish requires a bit more care as you also found out. I wash mine with a two bucket method. I replace my sheepskin wash mitt two to four times a year. I use car wash and final wax that promotes sheeting. This minimizes any drying contact. I use quality microfiber towels for drying and polish and wax removal. Keeping the swirls out is easier than removing them.
Sure they swirl and scratch easier and are more prone to acid rain damage but damn, nothing looks better and as you noticed they are relatively easy to restore.
Nice job.
To maintain a single-stage finish requires a bit more care as you also found out. I wash mine with a two bucket method. I replace my sheepskin wash mitt two to four times a year. I use car wash and final wax that promotes sheeting. This minimizes any drying contact. I use quality microfiber towels for drying and polish and wax removal. Keeping the swirls out is easier than removing them.
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01-21-08, 08:55 PM
#14
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Wow! That encourages me. I have an Obsidian black IS250 (not sure if it's single stage or not... maybe some of you know), but I REALLY wanted black despite everyone recommending another color for ease of care. I plan on keeping this car a long time, and take pristine care of it. I will make a note of your method in case I ever need it.
