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As most of you are aware a common issue is on average, once you hit around ~100k miles, the drip mold starts to peel exposing the raw metal. Mine was so bad towards the front, it flapped excessively due to the wind on the interstate and tore off. Lexus wanted $1800 to replace (ha!)
BEFORE
Paint shop just finished painting both sides today. They did a great job. They told me they used an epoxy-like paint.
I should also mention everything was painted while still on the vehicle.
I have the same year, same color, same problems. Has nothing to do with mileage. Now is about the time when everything falls apart.
I would remove the parts from the car to get painted. more thorough coverage.
Spoiler is easy to remove, and really needs extra coats of clear.
Also the paint on the plastic panel surrounding the rear license plate is fading and failing on mine too.
Actually, most of my car paint is failing or scratched up. My roof is dull, clear coat is probably half gone. Gonna need a total repaint in the future.
I'm going to leave the drip moulding stainless because I like the contrast.
I have the same year, same color, same problems. Has nothing to do with mileage. Now is about the time when everything falls apart.
I would remove the parts from the car to get painted. more thorough coverage.
Spoiler is easy to remove, and really needs extra coats of clear.
Also the paint on the plastic panel surrounding the rear license plate is fading and failing on mine too.
Actually, most of my car paint is failing or scratched up. My roof is dull, clear coat is probably half gone. Gonna need a total repaint in the future.
I'm going to leave the drip moulding stainless because I like the contrast.
sounds like you have far more issues than I do. Spoiler and drip molds were the only cosmetic quirks for me. Dull roof, half clearcoat gone, scratches???? Are you washing your car with a brillo pad?
secondly, no coverage issues leaving pieces on the vehicle if done by a proper shop. Also, removing the drip mold has some challenges that could come at a high cost. I spoke at length w painter about this and felt there would be no issues leaving on and painting. Pics dont do the actual work justice
sounds like you have far more issues than I do. Spoiler and drip molds were the only cosmetic quirks for me. Dull roof, half clearcoat gone, scratches???? Are you washing your car with a brillo pad?
secondly, no coverage issues leaving pieces on the vehicle if done by a proper shop. Also, removing the drip mold has some challenges that could come at a high cost. I spoke at length w painter about this and felt there would be no issues leaving on and painting. Pics dont do the actual work justice
i park outside and the california sun is brutal.
For some odd reason, my side mirror triangle base plate is all scratched up like it's been in a sand storm.
and my mirror housing is also faded, like most other plastic parts on this car.
the drip moulding makes an upside down U shape, so if you leave it on the car, the underside of the edges don't get painted.
The only problem with removing the whole moulding is that the clips on the A and C pillar can't be reused because they break when you remove the moulding. The clips are $2 each.
my 09', same color, is doing the same thing. Your re-paint turned out great! Do you know if the shop removed the existing tape (or whatever was on it) prior to painting?
my 09', same color, is doing the same thing. Your re-paint turned out great! Do you know if the shop removed the existing tape (or whatever was on it) prior to painting?
Yes, the process was remove existing material, sand, prime with primer/adhesion promoter, spray epoxy, clearcoat.