Need Help with Single stage paint

**Chris27182** · 02-06-2009, 09:48 AM

Working on a friends 2004 black Lexus IS300, which as I found out has single stage paint. Having a bit of a tough time getting good results with Menzerna IP and Final polish. I was reading somewhere that Meguiars #83 works well for single stage paints. Hoping someone will chime in with some help on this one.

**t-bird** · 02-06-2009, 10:29 AM

Are you shore it is a singe stage paint on a 2004. When you are polishing on it is there black paint coming off on your pad. If so i would say yes ssp, and i would say that it has been repainted at some time.

**jake66** · 02-06-2009, 10:34 AM

If it is OE paint, possibly a tinted clear coat. maybe SS paint if white. What is the color? i would think SIP, nano, followed by sealant or wax would work either way.

**RaskyR1** · 02-06-2009, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by jake66

If it is OE paint, possibly a tinted clear coat. maybe SS paint if white. What is the color? i would think SIP, nano, followed by sealant or wax would work either way.

I agree, it's likely a tinted clear.

What problems are you having?

**Chris27182** · 02-06-2009, 10:39 AM

The color is black and yes its an OE paint. After looking on the Lexus boards it appears Lexus still uses some SS paint on there cars.

**RaskyR1** · 02-06-2009, 10:45 AM

What are you using for a polisher/pads?

M80 works well on SS paints, as it's very rich in polishing oils. I have also seen some users having great results with the new M205 on SS paints.

**RaskyR1** · 02-06-2009, 10:52 AM

Seems like it is indeed a tinted clear.

[quote=DetMich1;662601]

Originally Posted by Mikeyc

Don't get scared if some of your towels turn black. I've heard black Lexus cars have single stage paint. So, there's no clear coat.QUOTE]

Well, that answer is partly correct. Black Onyx (Paint Code 202) has been available as a color choice since Lexus was introduced in 1990. It remained a single stage paint with no clear coat until sometime during the 2001 model year production run. Since that time it has come with a clear coat layer but is still only a two stage finish in contradistinction to the other Lexus colors which are three-stage. Since the OP's car is a new IS 350, it will have a clear coat finish.

**Chris27182** · 02-07-2009, 12:05 AM

[QUOTE=RaskyR1;217001]Seems like it is indeed a tinted clear.

Thanks for looking that up! Im dusting off my gallon of Meguiars 83 and giving it a try.

**pampos** · 02-07-2009, 12:18 AM

Tinted clear???first time i hear about that....Are there any benefits of having a tinted clear instead of clear clear : ) : ) on the look of the car?

**RaskyR1** · 02-08-2009, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by pampos

Tinted clear???first time i hear about that....Are there any benefits of having a tinted clear instead of clear clear : ) : ) on the look of the car?

As I understand it, a tinted clear is just a regular clear coat with a small amount of the base color added to it. Not sure why it's done though.

Rasky