Paint Blistering LC500h

[Bozman79]

Hi all,

Looking for members thoughts on an issue that has arisen with the my LC500h (17 plate) which I've owned for 12 months (select approved from Lexus dealership).

I clean the car every 3 weeks or so and mid-April I noticed a small patch of blistered paint on the front offside wheel arch.  Not easy to spot as it really only shows when the light catches it and you have to be right up close to it.  We're talking roughly a 2cm x 1cm area.

I was due a service within a fortnight and thought I'd get the local dealership to advise on the issue whilst it was in for a service.

The local dealership advised that they thought it was an imperfect paint finish and suggested I refer it to the dealership where the car was originally purchased from an hour and half away.  So I made an appointment and took the car up to them.

They've looked at it and state that the blistering is caused by an external chip to the paintwork the size of a pinhead.  See photos attached (red arrow is pointing to the suspected chip).

The dealership is towing the party line - not covered under warranty etc. and don't seem to be particularly concerned and this doesn't really sit well with me.  

I've owned numerous luxury and non-luxury cars for varying lengths of time (2 years - 9 years) and I have never experienced such an issue before.

Minor paintwork damage from surface stones is inevitable and Lexus must surely apply some anti-corrosion measures in the manufacture and finishing of their modern day vehicles to prevent such an occurrence?

My father in law caught hold of a bollard leaving a car park in his Berlingo 3 years ago and the scratches are deep down to the metal.  He's never had it fixed and I don't see any blistering occurring (photos attached)..

I'd be interested in your thoughts and if anyone else has had a similar issue and how Lexus have handled it.

 

[NemesisUK]

I think I would have to agree with the dealership. There may well be no corrosion to the metal but if water has gone under the paint it may well swell and blister.

What colour is the car? A smart repair may be the way to go.

[rayaans]

I think this is probably how most dealerships would have handled it. 

There is a clear stone chip that has gone down to the metal and this would cause water to get in especially in an area where water would be forced in near the wheels rather than on a door for example.

I had a similiar thing with a Jag and the dealership rendered it due to a stone chip as well - which was quite evident to be honest. In the end just had a smart repair to stop it worsening

[RiverFred]

If you want to prevent paint chips I suggest you have a clear bra installed, rather expensive but worthwhile. I installed mine on the front of the car, now I am thinking of the doors and rocker panels.

[NemesisUK]

You'll end up covering the whole car and getting a cracked windscreen!! Enjoy driving the car and deal with the inevitable when it happens!

[rayaans]

1 hour ago, RiverFred said:

If you want to prevent paint chips I suggest you have a clear bra installed, rather expensive but worthwhile. I installed mine on the front of the car, now I am thinking of the doors and rocker panels.

I think front bumper, bonnet and A pillars are worthwhile but anything more than that is probably a bit overkill dont you think? The rocker panel might make sense but not just a lone piece as you can see the edges otherwise. Luckily there is a panel line the sideskirts can be done in that one panel.

 

[Bozman79]

Many thanks all for your replies 👍

Having never experienced anything like this on any other vehicle that I've owned over the years, I'm just rather surprised that a barely visible stone chip should lead to paint blistering of this sort on such a modern, prestigious car that is presumably manufactured and finished to combat such issues.  If it were a common occurrence, I'd have expected to have seen more road users exhibiting patches of blistered paint on their front ends before now.

Thanks again for your replies - most appreciated!  I'll update the thread once all is resolved.

(The colour is Cadoxton Slate btw)

[Winston]

4 hours ago, Bozman79 said:

Many thanks all for your replies 👍

Having never experienced anything like this on any other vehicle that I've owned over the years, I'm just rather surprised that a barely visible stone chip should lead to paint blistering of this sort on such a modern, prestigious car that is presumably manufactured and finished to combat such issues.  If it were a common occurrence, I'd have expected to have seen more road users exhibiting patches of blistered paint on their front ends before now.

Thanks again for your replies - most appreciated!  I'll update the thread once all is resolved.

(The colour is Cadoxton Slate btw)

I’m afraid I agree with the others on here, this happens sometimes  and just because you haven’t experienced it means you have been lucky,

I have never won the lottery but I keep buying a ticket, 
hopefully it won’t cost you too much to fix it and it’s best not to leave it to long. 

 

[royoftherovers]

6 hours ago, Bozman79 said:

Many thanks all for your replies 👍

Having never experienced anything like this on any other vehicle that I've owned over the years, I'm just rather surprised that a barely visible stone chip should lead to paint blistering of this sort on such a modern, prestigious car that is presumably manufactured and finished to combat such issues.  If it were a common occurrence, I'd have expected to have seen more road users exhibiting patches of blistered paint on their front ends before now.

Thanks again for your replies - most appreciated!  I'll update the thread once all is resolved.

(The colour is Cadoxton Slate btw)

I do not agree with the others and would seek the views of a specialist Detailer.

[08ISF]

I've had tiny stone chips on many of my cars , Lexus and non Lexus and none of them have resulted in local blistering. Cars these days are phosphated during the paint process which should stop corrosion spreading. One Lexus dealer says paint fault and the one who might have to do something about it says it's your fault. Hmm, I would escalate to dealer principal level. After all, you bought a very expensive car from them , and they should be looking for repeat business. If you get no joy with the dealer escalate again to Lexus UK. It is possible that some minor damage on the car was repaired badly before you had it. I had a similar thing on my ISF where paint started to bubble on the rear wheel arch. Result, a new wing.

On the other hand, as others have suggested , a smart repair may be the easiest way out.

[Winston]

4 hours ago, 08ISF said:

I've had tiny stone chips on many of my cars , Lexus and non Lexus and none of them have resulted in local blistering. Cars these days are phosphated during the paint process which should stop corrosion spreading. One Lexus dealer says paint fault and the one who might have to do something about it says it's your fault. Hmm, I would escalate to dealer principal level. After all, you bought a very expensive car from them , and they should be looking for repeat business. If you get no joy with the dealer escalate again to Lexus UK. It is possible that some minor damage on the car was repaired badly before you had it. I had a similar thing on my ISF where paint started to bubble on the rear wheel arch. Result, a new wing.

On the other hand, as others have suggested , a smart repair may be the easiest way out.

Though I think is just one of those things, there is absolutely no reason not to push the main agent for a repair, it is possible there is a fault or they may just do it for customer satisfaction .

[Bluemarlin]

Regardless of who's liable,  I'd get it seen to as quickly as possible.  As said earlier,  a smart repair might be a relatively inexpensive fix as it stands now, but sometimes these things can spread quickly.

[ThomasLexus94]

Im curious how you got on Anthony?

[Marcus63]

This may be a stupid question because I have no experience of warranty claims but do you have to go back to the dealership where you originally bought the car or can any Lexus dealership handle the claim? If that was the case, could the local dealership who thought it was imperfect paint finish not handle it? Or are you claiming on the approved used car warranty rather than the new car (extended up to 10 years warranty)