Oh No. Rust Spots

[9690phil]

Just noticed yesterday two bubbles coming out on my driver door just above chrome trim, not happy at all. Rust is my biggest nightmare its like a fobia to me. Ive seen this on lots of 430's seems to be in the same spot on all of them, so i presume it is a manufacturing fault??? Anybody know why this happens.

[is200 Newbie]

Noticed you are from Denbighshire - I thought I was the only one with a Lexus in North Wales?

[9690phil]

Talacre. Think this bloody sea air does car body no good.

[is200 Newbie]

St.Asaph - Try river water - killed the last Lexus I had ...

[9690phil]

So you went under in the floods??

[is200 Newbie]

Lost the IS200 I had (2004 LE model) - looked after that car, no expense spared on it and was more upset it was written off than the house being flooded !!. Left it at the top of the drive, wife said to move it but the water was never going to reach us I kept telling myself but it did (she lost hers as well) ... car was under to the door handles and when the water disappeared the inside of it was all sludge - tried to start it and it was almost firing and I reckon if I left it to dry out it would have but to be honest it was ruined.

Splashed out on the 250 but still miss the 200. Never looked at the LS models to be honest.

[9690phil]

Just done a few bunglows here in rhyl next to golf club, what a mess, some were out of there property for well over a year. Not nice, ive had gs300's, aristo 300 twin turbo what a machine. Had a few 400's this is my ist 430 i was looking at getting 460 next year but i think im going of lexus build quality now. Dont seem to be as robust now?

[Malc]

on the Q of rust on the driver's door tho' ............ this is not uncommon on the 430 and owners have had the warranty work done by Lexus for free so I understand from this forum BUT you have to get it done within the 12 year warranty period.

Suffice to say that I am a little miffed that even on my Ls400 those damned rust spots are emerging in that self same spot and that's after only 19 years.

Malc

[9690phil]

Just emailed lexus uk a nice letter to see

If they can help in anyway as its just over the warranty and dont want to be driving round in a LEXUS looking like a rusty ford. No harm in trying but i know i will get no where with them.

[The-Acre]

Just had the same small rust bubble above the chrome trim done myself. He said it was only surface and not rot.

[9690phil]

That sounds good then. Mine seem to come over night? Did they paint whole door.

[Titch LS]

My 400 has some surface rust bubbles on the drivers side rear wheel arch. The passenger side is still o.k. This seems to be a common spot on these motors. Not too surprising after 15 years I suppose. Will have to get it attended to before it gets much worse.

[goldtop]

Interesting thread. I've seen a few threads here where rust has set in and made LS400s uneconomical to repair. :( I should probably start to pay attention as I don't have a garage. At the moment, all I can see on mine are a dozen or so untreated stone chip spots (bonnet, edge of doors, etc).

Any chance we could all add photos of examples and places where to look? It would be useful to keep on top of this, and check the likely places sooner rather than later.

(At least the problem's not as bad as it is with 2000-era Mercedes.)

[cruisermark]

hi

Link: http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/81502-rust-on-my-2002-ls430-contact-lexus-uk/page-

apparently the rust on the door starts on the inside and works its way onto the surface - so for those guys finding this problem after the warrenty perios it might be an idea to take door card off to see the full extent of the problem

[The-Acre]

That sounds good then. Mine seem to come over night? Did they paint whole door.

He did the whole door, and the front wing on the same side which had some damage that I didn't notice when I bought it (didn't notice the rust either until 2 days later) and the colour was blown into the rear door to blend it in. The guy did a fab job and it cost me £360. My rust wasn't coming from inside though.

[9690phil]

Going seeing my mate monday he has a body shop but dont get it any cheaper.

He did my front bumper when i got it as it was very pitted. The paint match wasn't 100% when i spoke to him today he said he will take a small piece of original paint and send it to who ever he gets paint of? See if it can be matched 100% as i dont mind the bumper as it doesn't stand out like a sore thumb but id want my door spot on or it will get to me everytime i look at it.

[ROYT]

Worst spot for rust on LS400/s is below the window chrome [s/steel?] edge trim.

To get the trim off you have to strip the whole door.

[run132]

The only bits of rust I can see on my 1995 LS 400 is two small 'bubbles' under the chrome strip on one of the back doors. So annoying as my eye keeps catching it! I've picked up a few stone chips around the front so the old girl is in the queue for a full respray in due course and I'll make sure the areas under the chrome strips are given special attention!

[telephoneman]

i had the exact same problem as the OP. The bodyshop said that the chrome strips are just held on with double sided tape and where over time some of the tape lifts it allows water to collect. Seems to make sense. It took three bodyshops before I found one that would do it, I think some of them just want easy jobs that don't require taking things to bits. The one that did the job did a very good job and blended the paintwork into the wing and the back door. To a non-expert like me it looks perfect. I also had the rear bumber repaired after driving into a post [i don't have reversing sensors] and one wheel refurbished. Total cost 480 inc vat.

[9690phil]

There be no prob with my mate doing it, i just want paint to look right, dont know if my colour is a bit of a swine to colour match 100% see what he says.

[plastic orange]

I really need to get the corners of the roof above the windscreen done and will replace the windscreen at the same time. I haven't got a price yet, but I'll get it done at Broughty Autos who did a superb job on bumpers after someone reversed into me.

This is the only rust on the car, and it's in a place I wouldn't have expected.

Pete

[9690phil]

Who the hell invented rust, id like to get my hands on him