DropTop430

I have about 10-15 small paint chips on the inside of the body where the door closes, Lexus tells me it is from the seatbelt buckle being thrown out towards that area...I don't know how its happening but it looks really bad with the door open, some are very deep and have surface rust on them. The area I am talking about is right by the white sticker on the door.

Anyone else have this problem, I figure others must, unless I am doing something very very unique with my belt....

ceboyd

my door is in perfect condition... BUT I'm also careful about putting my seatbelt back and don't just fling it or toss it.. I hold it as it retracts and gently let it go back to it's place... I guess I'm just **** that way

Seattle SCone

You just discovered a new place to apply ScotchCal! Oh no.

DropTop430

I have pulled the seatbelt out to where the chips are to see what action it would take to get the buckle there. Its a long way, I still would like to think that something else is causing it..But I can't think of another reason

ceboyd

How about?

What type of coat do you wear (if any).. with hanging belt buckle (IE. a rain coat with metal buckle?)

...or any shoulder bag that you toss into the back seat with a metal ring or snap on the shoulder strap?

I may be grasping at straws but it did occur to me.

1NICESC430

I don't see how the seat belt buckle even comes close to the inside of the door no matter how carelessly one lets it fly.

Try this... tape something (a piece of paper maybe?) over the paint chip area and then, for a few weeks, undo your seat belt only with the door closed and see if there are any new marks on whatever object you taped over that area.

Roofless

I've got a couple deepies (driver side only) in that area too. Although I'm a *****cat with my belts and would never have a buckle in that position, I did some testing - and if you're holding onto the belt as you're exiting the car as someone would making a fast exit, the belt could hit that area.

I'm starting to suspect our natural enemy - the Valet Parker.

Varmit.

ceboyd

One of the many reasons I refuse to valet park my SC430!

I take my G20 when I am forced to use valet parking

DropTop430

Its not Valet causing it, but thanks for all of the input..
As far as covering the area and seeing if there are any new ones I like that idea, I might try that....

Roofless

My other car is an M3 with SMG ("couldn't find reverse so I had to park it over there"), so I usually have the boys park the SC. Life is tough in the big city.

I'll still bet you it IS the belt buckle and it's either the valets or the car runners at the dealership, or some other descendant of the gopher. I think.