Just some thoughts from owners or people who have seen this color in person. I have never seen that color or the Nebula Gray. I really like what I see of the Nebula Gray as opposed to the Smokey Granite Mica. But have seen posts of owners of the Granite that really like their color over the Nebula. The Smokey Granite Mica seems very, bland if you will. Not saying it is from what I can see in pictures. Jump in guys and girls.

 

I love my smokey granite mica. Had the same color on my is350 and was happy to see the same color available when I wanted to trade in on my F. It is some work to deal with keeping swirl free but I absolutely love the color. Can't think of another color I would rather have than SGM.

 

Looking at one. Yes it seems that the swirls can be as bad as black. Like to hear the opinions.

 

I know a thing or two about creating and maintaining a swirl free finish... and I also know a thing or two about owning a SGM IS.

SGM is FAR easier to maintain than obsidian black (it is also far easier to correct defects on SGM compared to obsidian), and SGM does pack much of the same WOW factor as black when it is clean.

IMO Smokey Granite Mica is the best alternative for someone who loves a dark color but does not want the challenge of trying to maintain a jet black vehicle.

Lexus IS250 - MRR Ground Force GF07 by Zach McGovern, on Flickr

IS250 by Zach McGovern, on Flickr

Tom's Lip by Zach McGovern, on Flickr

Lexus by Zach McGovern, on Flickr

Vehicle was corrected and polished to perfection when I took ownership of it, then it was coated with various nano coatings throughout the years and maintained properly. Got tons of compliments on the color... wish I could have found an F in the same color.

 

My SGM ISF

 

My LS is that same color and I love it. It really does stand out and impresses upon its viewers (and listeners, in my case)

 

That wheel combo I surely like. Nice combination.

 

You are probably right Zach but no substitue for black I don't think. As I always thought best and worst color. That 2nd picture is Savage man. That looks otherwordly. Making an awesome case for that color. And you really picked out the right product to bring out that color. Nice job.

 

Love your wheels! Looks like its volks ze40 wheel.

 

Indeed! Thank you

 

Beautiful shine!

 

I just purchased a smokey granite mica 2008 IS-F and she is so dang pretty after I shine her up! The people before me parked it outside in CA so the spoiler had sun damage so I replaced with a carbon fiber and also replaced the vertical windshield runners. If you need a IS OEM rear wing spoiler please message me. I have no need for it and it just needs a coat of paint and is good to go.


Bottom Clips still good




Sun damage but factory OEM IS-F spoiler




Carbon fiber replacement




Carbon fiber

 

Honestly, I am more of a fan of SGM than NGP. It's just my preference. The mica has those nice flakes that really shine nicely when the light hits the paint just right. But I've been told by owners of SGM that it looks far closer to black when there is hardly any light at all, which is probably why Nebula Grey needed to replace it.

 

My SGM ISF for your reference.

 

It's one of the more subtle colors definitely. IMO it really pops at night, the flake stands out in low night lighting. Carbon fiber also blends in well with it.