Self healing paint
12-20-15, 05:12 PM
#31
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Self Healing paint is something that has been around for some time now. Nissan has been using it on their Infiniti cars for years.
The "self healing" paint is really just a soft (never fully drying) clear coat. When heated, the clear coat will liquefy at a molecular level and will fill any surface scratches (swirls) that exist in the paint. Thus, the clear coat can heal itself. If you scratch through the clear deeply, or through the clear and into the paint, the self healing paint will not fix this.
It should also be noted that if this is like Nissan's paint, the self healing ability will disappear over time (the clear coat will eventually harden entirely). Thus, this option will not stay around forever.
One downfall of self healing paint, contamination. If your car is a dark color, and you park it in the sunlight, the paint will get very hot, in which the clear coat will becoming its most liquid state. If a bird was to crap on your car, the clear coat WILL absorb this. If the paint is allowed to dry, the bird crap will become part of your clear coat and you will have to grind away the clear coat in order to remove this.
So while the self healing has benefits, I personally hate it. And if I'm not wrong, Infiniti is no longer offering it.
EDIT:
(sorry, didn't realize someone posted info above, I'm still going to leave this here though)
The "self healing" paint is really just a soft (never fully drying) clear coat. When heated, the clear coat will liquefy at a molecular level and will fill any surface scratches (swirls) that exist in the paint. Thus, the clear coat can heal itself. If you scratch through the clear deeply, or through the clear and into the paint, the self healing paint will not fix this.
It should also be noted that if this is like Nissan's paint, the self healing ability will disappear over time (the clear coat will eventually harden entirely). Thus, this option will not stay around forever.
One downfall of self healing paint, contamination. If your car is a dark color, and you park it in the sunlight, the paint will get very hot, in which the clear coat will becoming its most liquid state. If a bird was to crap on your car, the clear coat WILL absorb this. If the paint is allowed to dry, the bird crap will become part of your clear coat and you will have to grind away the clear coat in order to remove this.
So while the self healing has benefits, I personally hate it. And if I'm not wrong, Infiniti is no longer offering it.
EDIT:
(sorry, didn't realize someone posted info above, I'm still going to leave this here though)
12-21-15, 07:58 AM
#32
Lexus Fanatic
Are you sure that the RC also has self healing paint?
I have the self healing paint on the LS. I've had birds poop on it...and its been fine. Does seem to do a nice job resisting scratches.
I wouldn't be too excited about it either way.
I have the self healing paint on the LS. I've had birds poop on it...and its been fine. Does seem to do a nice job resisting scratches.
I wouldn't be too excited about it either way.
12-22-15, 05:05 AM
#33
Lexus Test Driver
Haven't noticed any self healing properties. In fact some IS on the lot are 1 year old and look worse than 5 year old IS
12-23-15, 08:18 AM
#35
I picked up our 2016 RX450h yesterday. The manual indicates it has self-restoring paint. I wanted this verified, as detailing procedures and products I use would be different on self-restoring coating. No one at the dealership could verify whether it's self-restoring coating or tradional NON self-restoring clear coat. The only thing they could verify is Lexus clear coat is soft. I agree with that wholeheartedly.
I'll do a test spot, much like the videos of Xpel Ultimate self-healing paint protective film.
12-23-15, 10:21 AM
#36
Lexus Test Driver
Where in the Lexus literature is this noted?
I picked up our 2016 RX450h yesterday. The manual indicates it has self-restoring paint. I wanted this verified, as detailing procedures and products I use would be different on self-restoring coating. No one at the dealership could verify whether it's self-restoring coating or tradional NON self-restoring clear coat. The only thing they could verify is Lexus clear coat is soft. I agree with that wholeheartedly.
I'll do a test spot, much like the videos of Xpel Ultimate self-healing paint protective film.
I picked up our 2016 RX450h yesterday. The manual indicates it has self-restoring paint. I wanted this verified, as detailing procedures and products I use would be different on self-restoring coating. No one at the dealership could verify whether it's self-restoring coating or tradional NON self-restoring clear coat. The only thing they could verify is Lexus clear coat is soft. I agree with that wholeheartedly.
I'll do a test spot, much like the videos of Xpel Ultimate self-healing paint protective film.
12-25-15, 09:40 PM
#37
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12-25-15, 09:49 PM
#38
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Wish I knew, but when I picked up my 450h, the delivery person wanted me to pay $800 or so for Xzilon Molecular Adhesion protection for the paint >.< The brochure for this says, "Xzilon permanently bonds directly to the vehicles paint to provide a long-lasting protective barrier". (I passed)
12-25-15, 10:13 PM
#39
Lexus Fanatic
Good move passing lol
12-25-15, 10:25 PM
#40
Lexus Test Driver
12-26-15, 03:16 AM
#41
I think many here are over complicating the care of the RX paint. If some special wax was required, Lexus would likely not have used it. I have waxed mine three times and nothing has fallen off.
12-26-15, 05:48 AM
#42
Driver School Candidate
Detail spray
I have considered using McGuire's detail spray for in between car washes
and was wondering what other brands RX owners might be using and
their experience using detail sprays.
and was wondering what other brands RX owners might be using and
their experience using detail sprays.
12-26-15, 07:21 AM
#43
I prefer the Mother's but only because of it's peppermint smell.
12-26-15, 07:59 AM
#44
Lexus Fanatic
Machine polishing will not harm the physical appearance of the paint, but it WILL remove the self healing layer.
12-26-15, 12:55 PM
#45
You would have to do some serious polishing to do that. I do not believe it would be harmed by waxing what so ever. Too much worry about nothing.
Last edited by RXOwner; 12-26-15 at 12:59 PM.