2007 Lexus IS350. I've been taking care of this one 2-3 times a year since the owner purchased it in late 2006. Since the last time I detailed it, someone ran him into a curb and the driver's side needed to be repaired and repainted. He decided to get the front end done as well and have a clear bra put on it. Drives regularly down to Austin I believe. Lots of freeway miles had done a number on the paint on the front end so a clear bra is a worthwhile investment.
The shop did a mostly decent job on the repaint, few areas with excessive orange peel, color match isn't perfect. But it could probably go in a dozen times and come out with different issues each time so he's decided for a nearly 7 year old daily driver it isn't worth stressing over. The major issue was the holograms from whoever buffed the car.
The halogen light really wasn't showing much (flash worked better) but you can see the paint has a hazy appearance.
I found that Optimum Hyper Compound using an Optimum MF cutting pad was working very well, with very minimal hazing.
Finishing up with Optimum Hyper Polish and another Optimum MF cutting pad left the paint looking really clear.
These are all after using OHC but before OHP.
Full Process:
ONR wash, Opti-Clay to remove minor paint overspray
ONR and Optimum Power Clean (diluted 3:1) to clean wheels
Optimum Hyper Compound using an Optimum MF cutting pad and my Meguiars G110v2 DA polisher
Optimum Hyper Polish using an Optimum MF cutting pad and my G110
Optimum Opti-Seal from the front doors back (going in tomorrow for the clear bra, shop requested the front end not be waxed)
ONR wash and wax diluted 32:1 to clean glass
Armor All to dress tires/fenderwells
The morning sun had long since given way to mostly overcast skies. When there were breaks in the clouds, they were really quick, by the time I was able to focus on the paint, the sun was either almost or fully behind the clouds. Plus it was about 50 degrees with 20-30 mph NW winds so it wasn't like I was going to stand outside for 30 minutes hoping to get enough sun to take pictures. Plus I've posted this car several times over the last nearly 7 years so you want to see it in the sun, do a search.
The shop did a mostly decent job on the repaint, few areas with excessive orange peel, color match isn't perfect. But it could probably go in a dozen times and come out with different issues each time so he's decided for a nearly 7 year old daily driver it isn't worth stressing over. The major issue was the holograms from whoever buffed the car.
The halogen light really wasn't showing much (flash worked better) but you can see the paint has a hazy appearance.
I found that Optimum Hyper Compound using an Optimum MF cutting pad was working very well, with very minimal hazing.
Finishing up with Optimum Hyper Polish and another Optimum MF cutting pad left the paint looking really clear.
These are all after using OHC but before OHP.
Full Process:
ONR wash, Opti-Clay to remove minor paint overspray
ONR and Optimum Power Clean (diluted 3:1) to clean wheels
Optimum Hyper Compound using an Optimum MF cutting pad and my Meguiars G110v2 DA polisher
Optimum Hyper Polish using an Optimum MF cutting pad and my G110
Optimum Opti-Seal from the front doors back (going in tomorrow for the clear bra, shop requested the front end not be waxed)
ONR wash and wax diluted 32:1 to clean glass
Armor All to dress tires/fenderwells
The morning sun had long since given way to mostly overcast skies. When there were breaks in the clouds, they were really quick, by the time I was able to focus on the paint, the sun was either almost or fully behind the clouds. Plus it was about 50 degrees with 20-30 mph NW winds so it wasn't like I was going to stand outside for 30 minutes hoping to get enough sun to take pictures. Plus I've posted this car several times over the last nearly 7 years so you want to see it in the sun, do a search.
