SW17LS

Not waxing, but machine polishing with any sort of abrasive would absolutely do it. If you used a cleaner wax with some sort of abrasive or chemical cleaner it could very well do it also.

So people that have this coating need to understand, if you or a professional detailer machine polish the paint, you're going to remove this layer.

jtrue28

Depends how deep the damage is. It is possible to remove a very fine layer, but still leave the self-healing layer behind. (I doubt it, though)

SW17LS

The flaw in that logic is that only works if the scratch is only in part of the self healing layer. If the scratch does not self heal, then by default the scratch is through the self healing layer and into the clear coat, and if you polish out the scratch that requires that you remove some clear coat around it to level it off and remove the scratch. In order to do that you're by default removing anything above the clear coat...meaning you're removing the self healing coat.

rayaans

^^^This is absolutely correct.

I think the confusion is coming due to terminology. Let's just clarify that polishing removes paint and wax protects it to clear up some confusion

Therefore pure wax won't remove anything but pure polish will

Lubber

Is it possible to "patch" in an area of this self healing layer if it was removed because of a deep scratch?

rayaans

Don't think so. I think you'd have to repaint the panel

RXOwner

I am talking waxing. Anyone who is using an aggressive polish with a machine better know what they are doing as there a a LOT of details in the RX body work just begging to be "burnt" if you do not know what you are doing.

At this point in your 2016 RX life, polishing is not needed or required. I apply my wax with a PorterCable with a foam pad and remove with microfiber and the results are nice.

SW17LS

No, once its removed its removed.

Just to share my background, I've been a hobbyist detailer for 20 years and even detailed professionally for a few years in there. I've used every manner of product and tool from rotary polishers to orbital polishers, etc.

What you don't realize is a LOT of consumer waxes are "cleaner waxes" or one step products. These products do contain abrasives both mechanical and/or chemical. These products WILL remove paint, whether used by hand or by machine. Might not be enough to remove this self healing layer in one application, but the effect is cumulative, and the more you use the product the more you remove.

Just make sure that you are using a pure wax or sealant that is not a "cleaning" product and contains no abrasives. If you want to post what you've used I can tell you whether it does or doesn't.

As far as "burning" goes. There are a ton of great orbital polishers out there that even a novice can use that will not burn paint (such as the Porter Cable you mention later). But they will remove paint (thats how you remove scratches, no paint removal no scratch removal), and they will remove this layer.

LOL, I have done full paint corrections on MANY brand new cars, as have all the other detailer members here, the ones that are in business and have been longer than I was even moreso. I'm certain that in the right light, your RX needs machine polishing too. Dealers wash them and screw them up, dealers prep them and screw them up. I've had dealers screw paint up with one wash enough that they need $500+ worth of machine polishing.

BTW, if you apply the wax you used with a PC, and it was an abrasive cleaner wax...you have machine polished the surface.

The point is people just need to realize this coating is there, and make decisions about paint correction based on whether or not they want to preserve it. Not sure why you're fighting this so much

RXOwner

A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.

20 years, well I got you beat there but I do know the difference in a wax and cleaner wax.

SW17LS

LMAO! You're hilarious. What is the "danger" in advising people to be cognizant of what sorts of products they are using because of the unique properties of the paint on this specific vehicle?

What is dangerous is your "advice": "just use whatever, it'll be fine!".

If you're so confident that what you use contains no cleaners...why not post it here?

RXOwner

You need to relax.

Thanks for giving me permission to do as I wish.

3richard

I live in Tucson Arizona. It gets well over 100F for MONTHS!
Like 100 days in a row over 100F!
I fear that my new car will melt.....

SW17LS

Haha, it'll be fine. Think of how healed your paint will be!

skiracer

Anybody know where i can find the paint codes for our cars? Detailing shop got a little over zealous on the polishing machine trying to remove some scratches...

DunWkg

Don't know if this is helpful or not:

http://www.toyotareference.com/lexusrx#RX