Just checking out the Lexus website for accesory prices, which were not there !
I got bored and looked at the spec's and clicked on the design tab, where I saw a link for anti-chip paint. Which reads as follows :
[i][b]Anti-chip paint

Your Lexus always looks good -- and it will maintain its showroom condition even after years of daily driving.

Lexus includes a flexible layer of paint between the primer and top coat. This slightly elastic surface shrugs off damage from stones and gravel, eliminating the irritation of rust spots.[/b][/i]



Now, is my March 2002 IS300 supposed to have this marvellous paint ? If so, shrugs off damage my buttocks, Attracts damage more like. Clearly, it doesn't work. I have emailed them to phone me so I can ask them all about it.
If this paint is a new thing then, damn it, blast and can I have my car re-sprayed please.

Cheers ................ bs

Thought I would give my baby a good wash/wax and polish today... seeing as I was unable to leave the house :-D

Its already its taken a hit on the A frame - down to the metal work aswell (seeing as mine is only 3 months old) this must be a very very new type of paint (03 onwards???)

Had to get the touchup paint out to make sure it dont get any rust in it!.

I have applied some Auri G old to it, hopefully giving it another layer of protection!

:-(

ho hum... will have to only drive it on roads where there are no other users from now on

LOL

What, you mean your magic paint never deflected the offending stone, leaving your paintwork unscathed ?
I'm shocked.
Still waiting for Lexus to contact me.


bs

I saw the same mention of anti-chip paint as you did a few weeks ago.

I'm appalled how easily it chips, as probably over 90% of IS owners are as well.

There have been many threads on this over the last few months. I'm just not sure if anything was ever concluded.

Personally I think my IS has more "noticable" paint chips than any other car I've ever owned.

Is that not misrepresentation?

Its an obvious problem, but why is it on the website?

[quote name='Administrator' date='Feb 10 2003, 12:11 PM']Is that not misrepresentation?

Its an obvious problem, but why is it on the website?[/quote]
This is what I intend to 'TRY' to find out.
I would describe the IS paint as brittle and, when you see a chip down to the bare metal, the finish is extremely thin.
Certainly not what it claims to be on the website.
I shall try to contact them again, does anybody have the phone number for Lexus UK ?


bs

Spoke to Jane, at Lexus customer service today. No one there even new about the claims on the website. She could not clarify the claim and what it meant, neither could a representative from the products department. They are contacting Lexus Europe in Brussels to find out. Then they will get back in touch with me.
Also spoke to John at Lexus Edinburgh service department, he had never heard of it either and according to him, neither have the salesmen. Top secret this magic paint you know !!
So I'll keep you posted.

Cheers ................. bs

Hi Guys

I have yet to see a pint that can resist stone chipping,the only thing that prevents stone chips is Scotch-cal,unfortunately you can see the plstic film on top of the paint work.

A word of advise BEFORE you stick some touch up paint in a stone chip,Clean it first using a quality degreeser.I fyou dont them you could be creating a rust trap!!!!!

The chipsaway method for stone chip repairs is to clean out the chip with chemical,allow to dry,blow some paint in it, allow to dry,then remove overspray with chemical.

You can still see the crater afterwards but it does prevent rust and improoves the look.

Matt

[url="http://www.goldmembers.co.uk/loc/forums/viewtopic.php?t=312"]Good workshop article on repairing stone chips[/url]

Goes into a lot more detail than the above - but compliments what chipsaway says - good advice!

theres are bunch of other good car care articles in there too.

[quote name='Administrator' date='Feb 10 2003, 12:11 PM']Is that not misrepresentation?

Its an obvious problem, but why is it on the website?[/quote]
Mmmm, slightly misleading advertising i'd agree ...

Along the lower sides of your IS, the paint has a sort of orange peel finish.
The sills certainly.. and lower doors i think from memory.

It's just 'stonechip' treatment under the top coat.
Nothing new or 'magic', been around for donkeys years.
So, it could be true in part ...
Doesn't get away from the fact the IS has about the WORST paint EVER.
And now i've got a chip on pass side A pillar rusting nicely ...

I seriously wonder how Lexus have such a good rep.
The IS has more design flaws and faults than pretty much any car i've owned.
I'd take some serious persuading to have another ...

[quote name='TonyGoose' date='Feb 16 2003, 06:25 PM']I seriously wonder how Lexus have such a good rep.
The IS has more design flaws and faults than pretty much any car i've owned.
I'd take some serious persuading to have another ...[/quote]
I am, perhaps, beginning to agree. I got my car back this week after having 5 new alloys, 4 new brake callipers, 2 new brake discs (all corrosion). Cold start ECU mod, New L/H headlamp (condensation) and a new steering wheel housing. Admirably Lexus Edinburgh changed them with no questions asked, which is a big plus point for Lexus. However it is quite disturbing that all that needed to be done in the first place.
The level of customer service I have received from Edinburgh, and the fact that I love the car, still gives me faith in Lexus.
I am very disturbed by the paint claims though, as that is just utter rubbish. Which is why I want to find out what it is all about, so that I can carry on having faith in a manufacturer who can only be described as one of the market leaders in customer care.

Cheers ............. bs

Have to say that the paint (although i love the colour) is the worst iv had on any car i've owned, even going way back to a 73 ford escort.

At least the paint stayed on the car.

I have been told its because of the reduction or elimination of the lead content that used to be used. If so im sure there is a better substitute that what they put on the cars now. I havn't heard of the same amount of complaints from owners of other vehicles.

Bobski.

Hi all,
Jane from Customer Services phoned me Monday morning, to say that they have not forgotten my enquiries. They are waiting on an answer from Brussels (TME or something), this may take up to two weeks though. I'm quite impressed that they phoned actually, at least I know they are listening. They might even care, let's wait and see.


Cheers .................... bs

Hi Guys

The reason that most modern paint jobs chip so easily is that there is new legislation on paint that states all paint (in Europe) must be water based.

In the bad/good old days they used isocyanates a lot,some times refered to as two pack,in a similar way to stuff like araldite etc they had a hardener.

This stufff was and is pretty evil to use,a lot of paint shops are having problems with VOC levels due to EEC legislation.

I still am a waiting on a lexus to have a good look at the paint,but going on other japanese cars,i find the paint a bit on the thin side generally, apoint to bear in mind when using T-CUT type products.

im experimenting with a plastic film that porche use,i tried it today and it looked acceptable at low level esecialy after i painted over the top of it.

There is probably out there a patent for a super hard paint job that does not chip or mark easily,but i bet its ownwed by a paint maufacturer who would loose out by marketting it.

on refference to "orange peel"... all cars have orange peel,except those that have had a special paint job. To get rid of orange peel,you have to flatten the paint after it has been sprayed on and before the clear coat goes on.This would take,at a guess up to 12 hours to achieve (if you get it right first time) and thus would add extra cost on to the car.

Going back along this thread a bit...............

The cars are galvanised arnt they ?

so wouldnt the use of chemical de-rust agents damage the layer of protection on the metal?

Good point Bobski.

You would then paint over it though, thus protecting it again, perhaps ?

bs

[quote name='chipsawayman' date='Feb 22 2003, 01:34 AM']Hi Guys

The reason that ........................................... and thus would add extra cost on to the car.[/quote]
Thanks for that chipsawayman, quite informative.
My main gripe is at the start of this thread, Lexus claim the paint is Anti-Chip. Nonsense of course.


bs

Wish it was anti-bird-poop too

no soon as i wash it

Don't start me on that one, those little feathered b******s. I'm sure they do it to see my reaction when I walk up to the car !!


bs

Wonder if there are any chips away folk nearby doncaster/sheffield... could do with a review and repair to all teh minor scratches and imperfections form teh recent road gritting..and high velocity scrapes from cars last week as i headed down the congested M1

[quote name='drwong' date='Feb 24 2003, 10:33 AM']Wonder if there are any chips away folk nearby doncaster/sheffield... could do with a review and repair to all teh minor scratches and imperfections form teh recent road gritting..and high velocity scrapes from cars last week as i headed down the congested M1[/quote]
If you go to [url="http://www.chipsaway.co.uk/"]http://www.chipsaway.co.uk/[/url] and stick in your postcode, it'll tell ya

Having found 3 stone chips on my 13 day old 200SE I also looked at the Lexus web site statement regarding anti chip paint, with this information in hand I went to my dealer in Leeds and explained the situation and showed them the statement. They could not beleive their eyes but did not shirk their responsibility.

I was immediately given a courtesy car and told that they would make a touch up on the damage, 2 chips were down to metal, and they would discuss with lexus GB.

The General Manager asked head office how they could make such a statement and the person at Lexus did not even know it was on the web site.

On my return I received a letter recording the damage and a Lexus logging number.

I was told that the touch up was a temporary repair and could I please monitor for further damage and they would be in touch once Lexus had decided what to do.

The dealer also commented that the paint appeared to be soft and not up to standard.

Lexus Leeds are upholding customer care, I just hope that Lexus GB can do the same.

I will keep you informed of the progress.

The front of my car is absolutely caked in paint chips Soft as bloomin' butter

Claire

Have you spoken to Lexus about this, if so what did they say, If not try the same tack as me.

I've had the car less than 2 weeks and already there are three very visable chips on the bonnet (fish supper wrapper in the back seat)

Elastic paint! Anti Chip! In the words of Jim Royle "My A***"

Hi all,
the easy solution to stone chips is NOT TO DRIVE SO BLOODY FAST!!!!

In all seriousness, i havnt a clue about this miracle paint either, but what I do know is that after i had the colour change done on mine, i had it TST coated. Now i can only go on what I have been told, and what is written in my guarantee, but i have a 5 year guarantee that i will not get any stone ships, or bird poop marks in the paint. TST is a teflon coating, which i think is pretty hard stuff. The down side is that it sets you back around 600 squids!!! and tkes 12 hours to do!!!

To keep it all shiny and looking wet, i use the meguiars gold class range. expensive, but absolutley BRILLIANT!!!

[quote name='leedsunited' date='Mar 14 2003, 04:17 PM']Having found 3 stone chips on my 13 day old 200SE I also looked at the Lexus web site statement regarding anti chip paint, with this information in hand I went to my dealer in Leeds and explained the situation and showed them the statement. They could not beleive their eyes but did not shirk their responsibility.

I was immediately given a courtesy car and told that they would make a touch up on the damage, 2 chips were down to metal, and they would discuss with lexus GB.

The General Manager asked head office how they could make such a statement and the person at Lexus did not even know it was on the web site.

On my return I received a letter recording the damage and a Lexus logging number.

I was told that the touch up was a temporary repair and could I please monitor for further damage and they would be in touch once Lexus had decided what to do.

The dealer also commented that the paint appeared to be soft and not up to standard.

Lexus Leeds are upholding customer care, I just hope that Lexus GB can do the same.

I will keep you informed of the progress.[/quote]
Just had a call from the GM at Leeds, he has had a reply from Lexus GB and they state that the anti chip paint that is refered to on the web site relates to the paint applied to the sills only, I commented that it did not mention that anywhere in the advertising and he agreed.

He has however had agreement from them to have my damage repaired by a Lexus approved body shop at Lexus expense, here comes the catch, Lexus will not guarantee the paintwork against stone chips thereafter.

Leeds have been excellent but I am not sure how good Lexus GB have been, may have to mull this over a few beers this weekend.

Anybody any thoughts.

Hi,
I have just got back from a stint working away and will be straight on the phone to Lexus UK on Monday morning.
Leeds, could you give me a few details, name, dealership please. Perhaps the guy you spoke to at the dealer. Armed with this I'll have another crack at them.

Cheers ............ bs

Hi Guy's
Is the item about anti chip paint still on the Lexus site? and if so where can I find it? I have a 5 week old SC and after only two weeks I had chips on the bonnet, my other car is 18 months old 27,000 miles and no more chips than my SC, could it be the Lexus paint quality is not upto the car quality.
I am starting to feel concerned.

Michael

Agree with Tony Goose. The orange peel effect means they don't put it on the upper part of the car 'cos it doesn't look good. You'll find Mercs do the same thing which is why they have two-tone paint jobs too.

But even on the lower part of the car, you can't expect to crash through brick walls like Knight Rider and come through unscathed. I think it should be taken as chip resistant not chip proof.