2006 Lexus IS 350 refresh

[tiSS'er]

This past weekend I threw a second coat of Meguiars M26 paste on my daily driver. The car has not been polished in 6 months (thin paint), but has been treated with Poorboys Black Hole before wax. I find BH does a nice job of hiding the minor imperfections and has extended my polishing intervals. I would like to try CG EZ Creme Glaze and Glossworkz Glaze in the future.

I have only washed the car with a traditional wash three times in this period. I prefer using ONR rinseless with GDM and 1 gallon of distilled water, or UWW+ waterless washes every few days to maintain. Being in the desert, I have only had to deal with dust.

I love/hate black....

These photos were taken shortly after sunrise. If you click on the photo you can see a higher res version.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3837/14682244481_9fcffee194_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/onqkLe)[/url]

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3913/14498787339_b949f83f85_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/onqkLe)

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3873/14685435425_322bcbf5e5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/o6d5m4)

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3900/14498787549_3ab93670da_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/onGGjv)

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5570/14498787789_e0d9a95d06_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/o6d5pF)[url=https://flic.kr/p/o6d5tP]

[jamesboyy]

Amazing work on that Lexus, but I am sorry to hear about your paintwork problem, question have you considered apply a coating now that the paint is thin??

[The Guz]

Looking good. Is the paint thin or just soft?

[BobbyG]

Beautiful work and stunning photos! :props:

[Charger12]

Mirror finish absolutely stunning

[HUMP DIESEL]

Looking good. Is the paint thin or just soft?

I was wondering the same thing, that is a fairly new vehicle, why would it be thin?

I also would consider a coating. I have a 01 IS300, it is the pearl white, but I polished the vehicle and then applied GTechniq C1 topped with EXO and it has been one of the best things I have done to the car. Keeping it clean is so much easier and sometimes I just pressure wash it mid-week to keep the larger amount of collected dirt and road grime off. I also coated my tires and that has been another one that I am glad I did.

HUMP

[02accordSE]

I was wondering the same thing, that is a fairly new vehicle, why would it be thin?

I also would consider a coating. I have a 01 IS300, it is the pearl white, but I polished the vehicle and then applied GTechniq C1 topped with EXO and it has been one of the best things I have done to the car. Keeping it clean is so much easier and sometimes I just pressure wash it mid-week to keep the larger amount of collected dirt and road grime off. I also coated my tires and that has been another one that I am glad I did.

HUMP
It's weird to think, but this vehicle is going on 8-9 years old already...

[sproketser]

Top job , nice & clean Lexus mate !

[CDot]

Great job! I imagine keeping black looking nice in the desert is pretty tough.

[Johnnyboy]

Very elegant. Looks great!

[tiSS'er]

Thanks guys. I have always been fond of the IS series, both the first and second gen versions. Keep in mind the car is an 2006, it was the first year of production of the 350. I picked it up on Christmas Eve as my Acura was totaled the week before. My Acura was my first black car, and I thought my last. This car was not on my radar until I saw it in person. The paint and interior was in excellent shape, and it had low miles for its age (60K). The car also had all of its maintenance and recalls done at Lexus dealers, so mechanically it is in excellent shape. I had been looking hard at IS250s and had driven probably 10 or so different models. One drive in the 350 and it was over. A 306HP RWD, very unassuming car that is pretty quick and fun to drive.

My best guess it that it was detailed regularly. There are 3 spots where I can see the thin paint under high intensity light, but not visible under the sun. 2 of the spots are located on the crease on the front fenders, and the other is on the trunk lip. When I do polish it, I simply tape off all the edges and lips. The issue is nothing that is visible under normal lighting.

I have considered coatings, but I am a wax/sealant guy I guess. I enjoy the process of waxing, and my car is garaged at home and work. Now that I have a grasp of properly working glazes, they make all the difference in the world. They really make me feel good about the end results, and rather than grab the polisher, I can just glaze the car and preserve the paint. I have also learned to work with a very light hand, and over the last 6 months, the car loks as good as it did when I last polshed it.