LS400 DIY repaint

[Boomer54]

1 minute ago, Howplum said:

On the subject of the Clarke "tent", I bought a small one as a garden store. Whilst it keeps the rain out, by no means could it be deemed as dry storage because of the condensation from the roof support,  which also runs down the inner surface to drip on the contents. Perhaps some pipe lagging on the metal components might alleviate it.

I have been looking into this recently. In effect if you use the Clarke and most others for car storage you will really need a car cover as well to keep the condensation off. I did come across one tent, name escapes me right now, that had specific vents built into it at the upper level.

Good to get this kind of feedback. Enhances the decision making process for things like this.

[hockeyedwards]

@Howplum maybe too late to ask, by chance do you have pictures of the trim clips that keep the lower mouldings onto the doors? May need to order some but they seem fairly thin on the ground so was hoping to find some matches online.

[Howplum]

Hi Kieran. Yes, unfortunately I have already refitted the door trim panels. However, I found this, which might help:

https://www.megazip.net/zapchasti-dlya-avtomobilej/toyota/lexus-ls-42404/ucf20-55848/ucf20r-aepgkw-937332/side-moulding-18041008

There are two types, although I must say the clips used are unlike any I have seen before because they are rectangular and fit into correspondingly shaped slots in the trim. Luckily mine were all reusable, so you might also be lucky.

[hockeyedwards]

Thanks, I had found the diagrams but wanted them in the flesh so to speak. I hear they are notoriously hard to source. I feel mine are broken as the panels are very tough to get any movement out of, so possible been bonded/ glued in place which gives me the fear!

[Howplum]

As well as the clips top and bottom there are nuts at either end and double sided adhesive pads at strategic intervals.  The usual Lexus over engineering! Even the small trim in front of the rear wheel has two clips,  two screws and a blob of Tiger seal (or similar).

[Malc1]

Should you “ lose” some of these impossible to replace plastic bits …….. 3D printing maybe 🤔

Malc 

[Howplum]

Just a quick update on progress so far:

There are still a few jobs to do, but I'm really glad the weeks of flatting, compounding and polishing has finally finished!

I've also repainted the wheels, although one day I might get them professionally stripped and repainted.

 

[Malc1]

The whole car looks brilliant. Well done 👍

Those wheels look pretty good too ….. professionally done a couple years back on my Mk3 cost me £260 sans the centre caps which are a solid colour plastic thru’n’thru’

The refurbished wheels colour I had done to match the centre caps …….. I didn’t have the centre caps refurbd. as their manfd. solid state colour is ok to me and I thought a top painted finish might be vulnerable 🤔

The wheels refurb whilst not gteed. he thought might last 15 years …… if I don’t bash ‘em 😂

Malc 

I would leave your home finish as they look too good to mess around with right now 

Well Done 👏 

[Cotswold Pete]

All I have to say is Gor Blimey and Amazing