BrightIS

I picked up my IS350 in May. Smokey Granite Mica.

I noticed several small swirl scratches about 2 weeks ago. This caused me to get the paint sealent, clear bra and a good wax on car.

I never use a car wash. I hand washed the car yesterday using a pressure washer, Mr Clean spotless wash kit and a soft mitt. The mitt had just been washed and I soaked it first.

When the car was dry, I found about 10 shallow, small scratches in the paint, all curving. I can only think that small bits of grit must be getting into the mitt and scratching the paint.

This is about my 10th car and my second Lexus. I have never experienced this before. I love the IS but I am really upset about the scratches. I don't want to buff and cut the paint on a nearly new car. Thinning the paint will just make future scratches that much worse.

Is the paint very soft?

Anybody else have this problem?

I am thinking of writing to Lexus to make them aware of the problem.

TimboIS

I thought people said it was too brittle?!? Make up your mind people.

I think people need to read more of the detailing threads. What is the wash mitt made of... synthetic, sheep wool? I've washed my IS a dozen times already, with no issues.

You are ALWAYS going to see imperfections a lot worse on a dark car, just a fact of life.

hughr

I have the same problem on a 2006 is250 matador red lexus. Noticed them them after I washed and waxed the car on day 2. Dealer buffed most of them out but they came back after the next washing. I take extreme care when I wash and wax the car and this should not be happening. Most of the responses in the detaiing forum tell you how to remove them but the problem is that the clear coat scratches (not swirles) to easy. I looked at the cars on the dealers showroom floor and most of the cars had the same type of scratches . I pointed this out to the salesperson and the reply was " dark colors show more scratches". I'm not sure what to do. It's frustrating. My scratches show up in the shade or in a garage. It is very difficult to see the in the sunlight.

Blahzay

I've had the same problem with scratches on my Smoky Granite Mica is250. Noticed them from day one, and everytime I look at the car, there seems to be more of them.

Not much you can do about it I don't think...but it still pisses me off

jacsha

Looks like all the Smoky Granite Mica tend to chip easily.
2 of my friends got lots of chip on the hood, but my black oynx is ok so far

crzcrz

I got scratches all over my car after month of owning it (trunk, roof, doors). I have repainted the car, what costed me $$$$, now it's all scratched again. The paint seems very weak indeed and that's quite dissapointing. It seems like you can scratch it with your nail

Aclarke

The paint is sickeningly soft.... no doubt about it.

I also think that the panels are too thin and prone to dents... 3 dents in 6 mos... got 2 fixed at once already, but just noticed another this morning!!!! WTF

TimboIS

maybe you'd be better off with a Saturn.

Bichon

1. Can't image why you would have repainted your car for a few scratches. A repaint is less durable and will significantly lower the resale value of your car.

2. You can't fault Lexus for the quality of your repaint. A local body shop isn't going to have the special ovens that the factory uses to bake on the finish.

LexusSara

Lexus has some of the worst paint for a luxury car I have seen.

Aclarke

seriously... I enjoy my IS, but I think I would have prefered something a bit sturdier and German

crzcrz

1. Because car was new and i wanted it to look new. There were a bit more than few scratches.
2. I did repaint at Lexus dealership. They have a body shop. So it's supposedly same paint and technology.

uschardcor

^^ and you suposedly believe everything you are told

Aclarke

LOL seriously...

How much $$$ did it cost to repaint the entire vehicle? Whether the job was done through the dealer or not, repaint is repaint and it definately devalues the car.

Flipsonic

Reading all these posts justifies my decision to go with a light color IS.