Jamesq

First Post. I have a Blue Onyx IS350 for about 3 months. During my first waxing I noticed a "pebble" finish on the drivers side passenger door. It looks like contaminants under the paint. See picture attached. I know this wasn't there before as I hand wash it every weekend. After a thorough inspection I noticed in on other doors and body panels in varying degrees of density but none on the roof, trunk lid, bumpers, or hood. I stopped by ABRA(body shop) and he said it looked like solvents working their way to the surface and he said to take it up with Lexus. Any ideas what might be causing this? I've contacted my Lexus Dealer and he says he's never heard of it.

Jamesq
'06 Blue Onyx IS350 NAV, Prem

lexem

What do you wash your car with?

Jamesq

Meguiars NXT Car Wash and Meguiars Gold Car Wax. Sheeps Wool Mit.

istundra

iTrader: (2)

Wow... That is a tough one. So who is liable of this paint defect? The car washing detergent or Lexus? If both refuse to be liable, then i'm sorry to say you must bring it to your insurance company.

Time for a new paint job!

Jamesq

It seems if it was detergent related it would be on the trunk, hood, and roof also. Those are as smooth as glass

istundra

iTrader: (2)

Wow... so how are you gonna get the detergent company responsible for this damage? They would say.. "User Error" and then you are back to claiming your insurance.

MikeFD3S

This isn't the first paint issue i've seen turn up...but most of the paint issues i've seen were regarding chipping. Definitely bring it up with your dealer, and escalate it to corporate if you can't get it resolved.

I don't see it being a cleaning agent issue, as the products you mentioned are extremely popular and you would see many similar claims popping up all over the nation.

15951

Why is anyone discussing Meguiars being responsible for a paint defect? I've been using Megs products for 15 years, with no random paint bubbling. Let's get back to reality.

There was obviously a problem with your paint right from the factory. Take it back to the dealer and insist on a repaint. If this is only on specific parts of your car, it may have been damaged in transit and repainted poorly. Any good body shop would be able to quickly tell you if it's a repaint.

Good luck.

MikeFD3S

Exactly. Unless you are soaking your car in Dawn and brake fluid every day, it's pretty hard to penetrate brand new clearcoat and paint.

I would be shocked if they repainted it due to damage in transit. I've never heard of such a thing happening...but you never know

Jamesq

My car came straight from the Jacksonville port so I don't think it had a repaint. The picture shows my finger on the camera so you can get an idea of the size of the bubbles. Is a "non factory" repaint going to look consistant or will I be unhappy. This my first Lexus and I don't want a "cob job". I'll see what the dealer says tomorrow. They're in North Atlanta.

Joe Z

iTrader: (10)

Just curious, in what section of the doors or panels is this appearing on??

Maybe you can take a picture of one side of the car and then edit the photo with red cirlces to show where your problem areas are..

Joe

Jamesq

I talked with ABRA and they definately said its a paint defect since it's under the clear coat. I went to the Lexus dealership and they think the truck hauling it from Jacksonville may have sprung a hydraulic leak. Since the top, hood, and trunk are covered by plastic sheets they wouldn't have been affected. The dealer had to see the oil on it when it arrived!!!! They have a Factory guy that comes around once a month that needs to look at it and decide what to do. I'm not excited about having both sides of my car stripped and repainted as I feel it will not match the rest of the car. With only 2300 miles on it I'm not sure what's fair to ask for. Should I bring it to an independent body shop after they repaint it for an evaluation??

Technique

ask for a new car, accept nothing less...

tqlla3k

iTrader: (1)

I noticed something similar(Except it was large streaks) on my Is after leaving the dealership. It was on the hood. I swore it was under the paint. But it turned out that it went away with some Meguires fine cut cleaner.

I went to the dealer again and found the same streaks on my rear bumper. It was the tire shine that they used. Who knows what it is on your car.

Another time I wiped some bird poo off my door. And it left a nice stain! I used fine cut cleaner... nothing. The stain would not come off. Eventually it just faded away... like nothing happened

See what you can get from the dealership first.... then Maybe pick up some fine cut cleaner and use it in a small area.

Jamesq

Lexus factory rep looked at it Friday and said they were going to buy it back and give me a new car. I'm not sure whether it will be an 06 or 07 yet but I have a feeling the 06's are almost gone. I'm going to miss Nav Overide and Blue Onyx but I'll get over it. I have almost 3600 miles on my car.