Is200 from Devon (Lots of pics!)

[Jim-G]

Hi all,

Recently got another Lex and I'm new around these parts, so though I'd introduce myself and share it.

I'm Jim, and this is my daily driver. Had it about 5 months now.

This is what it looked like when it was for sale. Just a standard 2002 IS200 Sport in black. Has the 18" TTE alloys and the Aero Package 2 i believe. FSH with 134k miles.

 

 

Was bone stock when I got it about 5 months ago. Even had the OEM headunit. That didnt last long though.

I've done quite a few things to it over the past new months, although no mechanical mods, and this is what she looks like now :)

 

I didnt like the orange interior bulbs so changed those.

Also changed white LED sidelights, dips, fulls and fogs. LED stop/tails, number plate and reverse bulbs.

I do love my audio so its, fully sound deadened with a subtle and powerfull ICE install with 7" touchscreen.

 

Boot lid wouldnt stay open was torsion bar linkage was snapped, so fitted a pair of gas struts/dampers to keep boot open. Their a tad short at 300mm but give the boot a nice rake ;)

 

Really love the car. Used to have a a '98 MK2 GS300. One of the best cars I'd ever driven. Even caught the modding bug with the 2JZ.

I do enjoy tinkering with this one, but have run out of ideas.

Kinda want to refurb and paint the wheels next. Not sure what colour though. Whats the thoughts on a solid white?

Jim

[Farqui]

Welcome to the forum. Lookin' good, you've breathed some new life into her 👍

[TigerFish]

nice looking IS. The 18" Aero pack TTE alloys have always been my favourite wheel on these cars. Set the car off a treat.

[Rebecca]

Hello Jim and welcome to the forum. 

Thanks for the pics 😀 what a lovely looking lexus you have there. 

[Jim-G]

Thanks, glad to be here.

I've been on a regular to the forum for a while, looking for how-to's etc, so thought I'd join contribute if I can :)

[steve2006]

Hello Jim and a warm welcome to the LOC.

Amazing how good these cars can look even at 15 years old, mines now 23 and still going strong.

[Gary-Lex]

Hi. What did you use to tint your taillights. Vinyl or spray. Looks good. Also whereabouts in Devon are you from?

[Jim-G]

I used just a generic red spray and a clear laquer top coat. Buffed up with a cutting polish afterwards. Did the fogs too so they would match somewhat.

I had already purchased a vinyl but after a mock up on the lens i didnt really like the look of it.

And also im just outside of Torrington. How about yourself?

[Gary-Lex]

I'm going to do the same I think. I like the look of it. I live just outside okehampton so not far from you. One of my rear lights is foggy on the inside so I was hoping the tint may make it look less noticeable until I'm feel brave enough to cut it open :) 

[Jim-G]

I found the tin i used earlier in the garage, it was E-Tech red lens tinting spray. Probably got it from eBay.

I have the same prob on my drivers side and it does help. I have to take the cluster off every now and again to let it dry out as theres a small crack at the top.

Just a helpful hint, I had to do my lenses twice. The first time I took them off and masked them up on my workbench, then panel wiped the surfaces clean. Sprayed a couple of thin coats of red tint and let them cure overnight. The next day they looked really good, but a bit of a dull matt finish. So i layed a couple of coats of lacquer and all looked shiny so i bolted them back on and away I went.

About a week later i noticed I couldnt really inside the lens any more, the top section was just a faded redish/pink colour. I tried buffing this out and it sort of worked but me being an idiot, i went too far and got down to the clear plastic. So i decided to polish all the lacquer and red out and start over. I did everything the same but before putting them back on the car when they looked great after the final lacquer coat, I gave them a quick hand polish with K2 headlight restorder paste to remove a fine coat of top laquer and they've stayed crystal clear ever since.

Not sure what I did wrong, but hopefully you dont have the headache I had.