alchemist

iTrader: (1)

yes...needed done quickly and guy also didnt want to deal with broken clips or damaging molding. I told him if I could see any bare metal when completed, he would do again. No issues whatsoever....It looks factory now.

hampdenma

How is the paint holding up on your drip rails? I spoke to a couple body shops and they said they can't be painted due to the rail being aluminum.

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

They are wrong - it has held up great and my car bakes in the sun too. If you read my earlier post, you have to use an epoxy paint.

hampdenma

Did they remove the drip rails or paint them on the car? One of the body shops said they can't be removed without damaging them.

Wltyson

I have a GS 460 with 76,000 miles and my car is doing the same thing. I rarely drive the car & one day my sister noticed the wrinkles along the top. Is this a defect that Lexus will cover?

Drifter292

Mind sharing with me where you had this done? I live in TN

Wltyson

I have had it done yet. I will take it to Lexus of Memphis next week.

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

For the reason you mentioned they were painted while on vehicle.

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

Kenneth body shop
franklin tn

Wltyson

Memphis, tn

Bavaria

Same thing on my '07 - noticed it peeling on a cross-country trip. Also contacted Lexus, and was informed of the outrageous cost. I removed the coating and glue from both sides, and actually like the results.

350TPI

I actually think the bare aluminum looks good and will go that route when mine inevitably starts to peel.The PO had the ones on my car replaced by the dealer so it may still be a few years/

gr8fulRed

lol, well.....3 years later now....and I need to have mine painted. They came loose and some parts broke off in the wind on the highway. I just peeled off the remainder, which looks okay I guess, but I need to have mine repainted. I will start looking for a competent shop and have them follow Alchemist's process. I've got some small rock chips here and there that I'll get touched up as well by a professional detail/touch-up guy I know. I will also have the spoiler repainted, because yes....it's fading. That said, it's still in great shape for a 09' with 173k on her.

Watcherz

If you don't mind sharing a picture of your vehicle with it removed, I would love to see it, because I'm considering this myself.

pman6

it's stainless steel. that's why it's more difficult to paint.

epoxy primer will stick to sanded and cleaned stainless steel. Then you can base/clear coat over that.

Here is a video with the bare stainless metal look. This is what I'm going with. Would rather not sand and scratch up the metal....


it does blind people when sunlight bounces off of it.