3gs Lexus Paint thickness Hybrid Vs Non
03-27-12, 04:24 AM
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3gs Lexus Paint thickness Hybrid Vs Non
My dad has an 07 GS 350 and I'm looking at buying an 08 GS 450h. I put a paint meter to the GS and the paint reads 10-11mm, where most lexus are 5mm or 6mm if they are the tricoat. The car does have a touch of repainting in two areas, but otherwise looks clean. Is this another example of the over engineering Lexus does to the Hybrids?
but If so, that's good to hear as i have a GSh
03-27-12, 09:04 AM
#4
Agreed, but who knows. I cant see Toyota, over shooting the cars Just because its a GSh. They all start the same shell.
Is that color of yours a three stage? If so, that might explain why your paint is thicker. My 02 GS300 SD was that special paint color. Which made it really fun when I had to have front end work done.
Is that color of yours a three stage? If so, that might explain why your paint is thicker. My 02 GS300 SD was that special paint color. Which made it really fun when I had to have front end work done.
03-27-12, 04:05 PM
#5
Very few to none use 3-stage painting processes in manufacturing - it'll be a base coat of the colour, then a clear coat if metallic.
The non-metallic colours of the previous generation IS (red and black) were single stage.
There's nothing to say Lexus didn't beef up the clearcoat at some point, but not being aware of failing clearcoat (like happens on Audis), then I see no real need for them to spend the extra it'd cost.
If the appearance isn't orangepeely, like it tends to be on BM's, then it's not been applied in one go, which again due to time and materials, adds extra cost to be absorbed or passed on - normally the latter.
Assuming it has been painted, then if those are measurements all round rather than localised, then it'd indicate either a full respray or the factory did increase the clearcoat depth.
If localised, then chances are it's taken a knock on the boat, coming off, in the docks, or at the dealership, prior to hand-over or put on the lot. That last one, is fairly common, unfortunately.
Ideally, you'd need to test a greater sample before forming a conclusion, and measuring once the transport wax has been removed after arriving at the dealers'.
The non-metallic colours of the previous generation IS (red and black) were single stage.
There's nothing to say Lexus didn't beef up the clearcoat at some point, but not being aware of failing clearcoat (like happens on Audis), then I see no real need for them to spend the extra it'd cost.
If the appearance isn't orangepeely, like it tends to be on BM's, then it's not been applied in one go, which again due to time and materials, adds extra cost to be absorbed or passed on - normally the latter.
Assuming it has been painted, then if those are measurements all round rather than localised, then it'd indicate either a full respray or the factory did increase the clearcoat depth.
If localised, then chances are it's taken a knock on the boat, coming off, in the docks, or at the dealership, prior to hand-over or put on the lot. That last one, is fairly common, unfortunately.
Ideally, you'd need to test a greater sample before forming a conclusion, and measuring once the transport wax has been removed after arriving at the dealers'.
03-30-12, 02:53 PM
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Yeah, its just the 2 stage, Smokey Granite, or Black Pearl in other areas. Again, the Red and White are tricoat, the Black (Obsidian), is single, and the rest are 2 stage as far as I know. Most paint this colour measures only 4mm, ie, my IS 350, etc. I test in 3 spots on each panel. I have a 2007 GS 450h next to it now and Its readings are also a bit out of the ordinary.
03-30-12, 04:06 PM
#7
Doubt the Red and White are 3-stage - the Red is a metallic and the White is a pearlescent.
Both finishes can be/are achieved with lacquer over base, which in the White's case, will be pearl added to the clear, and mica or aluminium flake to the Red's base, with clear over that.
Can't really see Lexus going to extra lengths for those two colours, and not charging differently from the other metallics. That'd mean the other colours are subsidising the Red and White, and making repairs of those two more costly for insurers and owners alike.
Remember, you're dealing with manufacturing processes and timeframes here, not paying $5K worth of a HoK candy finish - even with manufacturing bulk purchase discount factored in.
Both finishes can be/are achieved with lacquer over base, which in the White's case, will be pearl added to the clear, and mica or aluminium flake to the Red's base, with clear over that.
Can't really see Lexus going to extra lengths for those two colours, and not charging differently from the other metallics. That'd mean the other colours are subsidising the Red and White, and making repairs of those two more costly for insurers and owners alike.
Remember, you're dealing with manufacturing processes and timeframes here, not paying $5K worth of a HoK candy finish - even with manufacturing bulk purchase discount factored in.
Last edited by Boron; 03-31-12 at 04:38 PM.
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03-30-12, 09:07 PM
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Yeah, its just the 2 stage, Smokey Granite, or Black Pearl in other areas. Again, the Red and White are tricoat, the Black (Obsidian), is single, and the rest are 2 stage as far as I know. Most paint this colour measures only 4mm, ie, my IS 350, etc. I test in 3 spots on each panel. I have a 2007 GS 450h next to it now and Its readings are also a bit out of the ordinary.
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