Ask the Car People.SM


Lexus ES 350 Paint Problems

83 messages,  Last post on Sep 09, 2012 at 11:40 AM

You are in the Lexus ES Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus ES 300, Lexus ES 330, Lexus ES 350, Paint, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 9

#1 of 83 2008 Lexus ES 350 Paint Problems by draperysewer

May 28, 2008 (7:32 pm)

I picked up my car with Smokey Granite Mica paint Feb. 8 2008. I quickly noticed after each hand washing all the scratches that were showing up. Each scratch and chip showed up as white lines or marks. A casual bump with my brief case and bam another chip. Within 2 months of ownership I am waxing the car and rubbing out the multiple scratches. The car has been on no dirt roads or car washes. Am I the only one with this problem or is this problem concentrated on my color or this model or production date? The dealer has been called and records noted. I have never had a car that scratches and chips so easily. I hate to see what it will look like in 3 years when I turn it in.

#2 of 83 Re: 2008 Lexus ES 350 Paint Problems [draperysewer] by debra12

Jul 15, 2008 (1:30 pm)

Replying to: draperysewer (May 28, 2008 7:32 pm)
I have had similar issues with paint on my Lexus 460L 2008. In the first 1000 miles
excessive rock chipping on front and lower rocker panels on sides of car. Lexus
repaired the paint on the sides and installed clear protective film. The front is still an
issue I am trying to resolve with Lexus now. I have had an independant painter look
at it and he thought the clear coat or last finish was not hard enough. There is
definately a flaw with the paint. I have only 4000 miles on my car and am very
unhappy. Also paint chips on trunk shelf from merely resting a suitcase and also
white paint scratches from who knows what. Possible car wash? I use to take my 745i BMW through the same car wash. Never an issue.

#3 of 83 Re: 2008 Lexus ES 350 Paint Problems [debra12] by draperysewer

Jul 16, 2008 (4:40 am)

Replying to: debra12 (Jul 15, 2008 1:30 pm)
You did not mention what color your vehicle is. It is discouraging to take care of a nice auto, but have it look terrible with scratches.

#4 of 83 by debra12

Jul 16, 2008 (8:08 am)

It is a mica red beautiful color. I agree it is very discouraging for a car so expensive.
I love all the other things about the car. But I don't think I would have purchased
knowing the paint issue. Have you had any satisfaction with the dealer on your problem?

#6 of 83 Re: 2008 Lexus ES 350 Paint Problems [draperysewer] by joeldavid

Jul 29, 2008 (11:19 am)

Replying to: draperysewer (May 28, 2008 7:32 pm)
I have the same problems.I have a new 07 gs350 same paint color. 1800 miles all sort of small scratches,and a number of blemishes on the hood ,quarter panel ,roof trunk.The dealer first said it was caused by moths stuck in the protective cover while being shipped.Now speaking direct to Lexus,its "rail dust" that settles on the paint during shipping, that caused the blemishes, the small scratches are because of the "clear coat" getting scratched,and the dark color paint.The dealer will solve the problem, by either buffing out the blemishes ,or repaint.I am not happy...this shouldn't happen on a Lexus.I have asked the dealer to make me happy....will see.

#7 of 83 Re: 2008 Lexus ES 350 Paint Problems [draperysewer] by roadrunner4

Aug 15, 2008 (11:59 am)

Replying to: draperysewer (May 28, 2008 7:32 pm)
I have a 1 and half yr old 350 same color. I talked to the dealer a few months ago about the same problem. The car just seems to get scratches and chips too easily. The dealer says non-lead paint nowadays is not as hard as those used years ago. I don't quite buy the answer. I doubt if other premium brand car has the same paint issue. A few days ago, I discover that there are small brown bubble just below the license plate. Upon close inspection, I can see rust starting to surface. And it is not even at a spot that you get chips. I had the feeling that there is some problem with the paint job in 350. I find that really surprising given lexus renowned quality. It is actually some sort of a relief to know that this is not a problem peculiar to my car. I am going to talk to lexus and see what they will do.

#8 of 83 Re: 2008 Lexus ES 350 Paint Problems [joeldavid] by draperysewer

Aug 15, 2008 (1:12 pm)

Replying to: joeldavid (Jul 29, 2008 11:19 am)
My 2008 Smokey Grey Mica ES 350 went back to the dealer for its first oil change and what ever else they do. Aftter 2 weeks of ownership I was calling the dealer about the scratches that showed white and how easily it chips. After a month my husband was rubbing out and waxing the car to conceal the white scratches. I must say I did not feel satisfied. The service manager would not admit a known problem about the paint. He tried to sell me on the same story about the paint not being the same quality or hardness due to enviromental laws. I had him nailed because my husband bought a black Cadillac Escalade from the same dealer and I told him his paint is fine, does not chip easily or scratch white. I asked about another clear coat but he would not do it. He touched up my abundant chips and rubbed out some of the scratches. He told me there was nothing he could do about the car scratching. I made sure he noted in my record about the paint issue not wanting it to be a deduction when I turned in the car. I am very disappointed with this paint. Neither of my other 2 ES autos had this problem.
 
I plan to contact Lexus directly with hopes of some resolution.
 
Regarding the transmission concerns. They can check the vin number to make sure it has all the latest updates. (He admitted to this issue) Mine occassionally shifts hard, sort of like a chunk. Mine is up to date but again, had it noted in the record. My other 2 didn't have transmission issue.
 
Unfortunately I have 2 1/2 years more to drive this car. I am working on attitude change but it is disappointing when you take care of a vehicle to have it look bad right out the door.

#9 of 83 Re: 2008 Lexus ES 350 Paint Problems [draperysewer] by scottinmem

Aug 26, 2008 (11:14 am)

Replying to: draperysewer (May 28, 2008 7:32 pm)
Same color here on my 2007 and it looks great, BUT I am very careful with the paint. Light scratches and swirls show up more on dark colored cars - black is by far the worst. Different car companies are known for different paint hardness. Lexus is considered to be among the softest. Others are correct to not buy into the "environmental" reason and I don't know why Lexus is soft yet Mercedes is hard. Unfortunately, this is the way it is. Personally, btw, I would never let a dealer touch my paint or wash my car - most do not know how to properly wash a car - or they are in too much of a hurry to do it right.
 
If you have the time, energy and desire to take care of the soft Lexus paint, the site autopia.com is a wealth of information on proper care. I'm not trying to justify Lexus paint, just informing how to deal with it.
 
The sad truth is that if swirls bother you and you don't want to spend a lot of time on car care, you should buy silver cars with hard paint. Again, I'm not saying it is your fault for buying a dark Lexus, but next time, now that you know the score, you may want to consider color and hardness in your car buying decision.

#10 of 83 Re: 2008 Lexus ES 350 Paint Problems [draperysewer] by llee44

Aug 27, 2008 (6:56 pm)

Replying to: draperysewer (May 28, 2008 7:32 pm)
I have a 2007 Lexus ES 350 Smokey Graphite. I'm having the exact same problem too. The chips are huge I mean larger and deeper then average. The chips are so deep that they go through the primer. Today I found one about the size of the head of a thumb tack, also down to the metal/fiberglass body. Its like they didn't even prime the car. Further more it was not on the hood, but on the side of the front driver side wheel well.
 
I too think this is very disturbing. I'm going to contact Lexus about this problem.
 
I am also having problems with the car shifting really hard. I guess I can also get that looked at at the same time. This really makes me made because you wouldn't expect this from Lexus.

Messages Page 1 of 9

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement