espressoRX

Just took on an '04 330 that seems to be in overall great condition. However, I have a rash of pin-sized paint chips on the hood that seem to be rusty. Now I know paint chips are to be expected and really there're not more than expected. But I am surprised that some have the appearance of rust in them especially considering the excellent condition of paint on the rest of the vehicle. I noticed the same issue on many of the used RX's we looked at before buying this one. I also read some issues with this elsewhere on the Interweb. I'm kind of an amateur detailer so things like this really catch my attention and tend to nag me. So, two questions: a.) Is this rust-color I'm seeing actually rust or could it be the primer or base-coat? b.) Has anyone had success in repairing these pin-sized pits? If so, and it is rust, did you somehow remove the rust before filling in the chip?

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

Hmmm....

It's hard to call it. But they maybe bits of rail-dust and/or brake dust?

I was going to say get a claybar and see if they come off. If they don't then you know it's rust/pitting. Otherwise it may be what i said.

The little rust specles all along the doors & wheel wells are generally brake dust that settles and once it rains it naturally rusts.

espressoRX

Rail dust is a good suggestion but I clayed it last night so I can confirm they are definitely chips. I was hoping someone would say: "Yeah, Lexus uses a rust-colored basecoat on their pearl paint." Probably not likely though. It sounds like some people have luck using a rust converter before using a chip repair kit (Langka, etc.). It would definitely be less destructive to get a liquid like that in these little chips rather than trying to sand it out with paper. I guess I'm gearing up for a learning experience.

veleno

iTrader: (3)

clay, clean, and prep for touch up paint I'm wondering if all those chips are from flying rocks. Might want to invest in a hood deflector or hood bra.

espressoRX

What method of preparation are you suggesting?

From the size of the majority of these chips (there really are not many, maybe a dozen or less), I'd guess they are from sand used on the roads during the winter.

smhjafri

i am also having same problem with my RX-330,2005. not only some rusty chips in front but also paint comes off from the side door when i was wahing my car.

any suggestions of what to do....????

action

i have 1 rusty chip on my roof at the edge of the top of the windshield. My best advice is wrap some 500 grit sand paper at the edge of a small screw driver and slower sand off the rust in the chip. Then get some touchup paint to cover it. I read Dr.Colorchip is amazing and the before/after pix looks great. make sure you take off as much as the rust as you can before applying paint or it'll bubble down the road... but that'll be a while for such a small area of rust.

espressoRX

I agree, Dr. Colorchip looks pretty good. I am planning on getting some for my VW to see how it works before moving up to the Lexus.

veleno

iTrader: (3)

Any pictures?

mikli

I have used Dr. Colorchip on my Porsche and Lexus. It fills in the color but not the entire chip. You won't be able to see the chip. I'm finding a good couple of pin size rust spots around my RX. I'll try to give it a good clean first