Need some "pro" advice....

[SolarLexIS]

Hello. I have a few questions that maybe someone can help me with. I have a 2001 solar yellow Lexus IS300. I dont have any pics atm but I may be able to provide some later. It has some light to intermediate swirl marks along with some other imperfections and just doesn't have that "pop" anymore. This is where I'm conflicted. I cannot get a straight answer as to whether or not this car has a clear-coat. The lexus forums are split as well as lexus themselves.



Knowing this would help me tackle the problem and get it back to at least looking decent. I have been using the duragloss line and that works well for shine but it needs more than that. My second question would be about a rob like a pc or udm. If this car doesnt have a clear coat how would that affect the use of a machine? so....



1.clear coat?

2.safe to use machine if no?

3. Which products pads etc for clear coat or not?



I'm sorry if I'm asking too many questions but I'm at a point where I want to get serious about car care and am just eager to learn. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[the other pc]

.... I cannot get a straight answer as to whether or not this car has a clear-coat. The lexus forums are split as well as lexus themselves....

I assume by “lexus themselves� you mean the dealer. Keep in mind that dealers are pretty much universally clueless. I can guarantee you that somebody at Lexus (corporate) knows. But you would have to find whoever that is and give them the paint codes for your car.



Not that it really matters much. For the most part you approach it the same either way.

...1.clear coat?...

Probably. You can test it by taking a dark applicator (foam pad, microfiber covered foam pad, towel, etc) for light colors or a white applicator for dark, and rubbing the paint with some sort of cutting polish/cleaner. I usually use Meg’s ScratchX. If you get pigment transfer it’s single stage.

...2.safe to use machine if no?..

Using the right products and right machine, PC, UDM, G110, etc, it’s safe either way.

...3. Which products pads etc for clear coat or not?...

All the companies you see used around here make products/pads that will work for your paint. At some point you have to just try something and see how you like it. They all make good products and all have their fans.



Since this is Autopia, I suggest considering a UDM with Sonus pads and chemicals. (If you were parked in my driveway we’d just try what I have on my shelf, mostly Meg’s.)





PC.

 

[reparebrise]

There ia a 99% chance you car has clear coat(I havn't seen a car withoutone in some time). One easy way to test is get a white rag, and a mild polish, in an inconspicuous area polish for a few seconds by hand, if the rag becomes colored then you do not have a clear coat.

 

[SpoiledMan]

Well I'll insert my couple pennies here. You *wont* get a correct answer from Lexus regarding CC if this is one of the colors where some have it and some don't. It seems completely random as to which ones get is and which ones don't.